The uncertainty surrounding the current U.S. presidential election has increased with an announcement by federal law enforcement of a possible attack by al-Qaida. Information and tips received by the feds indicate that Texas, New York and Virginia have been indicated as possible targets. Authorities are taking the threat seriously and are still evaluating the intelligence received, warnings were issued out of an abundance of caution.
“The counterterrorism and homeland security communities remain vigilant and well-postured to defend against attacks here in the United States. The FBI, working with our federal, state and local counterparts, shares and assesses intelligence on a daily basis and will continue to work closely with law enforcement and intelligence community partners to identify and disrupt any potential threat to public safety,” said an unidentified FBI official.
There have been previous fears that polling locations could be the subject of lone-wolf terrorist attacks by individuals or groups. Many White supremacist groups have expressed a growing hatred for Muslims and minorities this election cycle along with an avid support of Donald Trump. Most recently, a church in Mississippi was burned and vandalized with graffiti that read “TRUMP.” In Garden Coty, Kansas, three men were arrested in a plot to bomb a community of Black Somali Muslim refugees. The FBI stated that the men planned to detonate four car bombs at the Garden City Apartments in what they stated would “wake people up” to their hatred of Muslim immigrants. In addition, there were plans to bomb a mosque as well as attack city council and community meetings.
