Regarding protecting Americans from terrorist attacks, former President George W. Bush said, “On the morning of 9/11, we saw that the terrorists have to be right only once to kill our people, while we have to be right every time to stop them” (U.S. White House Office of the Press Secretary, 2006). Although terrorist attacks happened on U.S. soil prior to September 11th, 2001, it was that catastrophic event that changed the way in which this country began to combat terror.

10.5.1 Changes Made as a Result of 9/11

After the attacks on 9/11, the United States realized that it needed to develop a much better national security strategy. This centered on the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. On October 8th, 2001, President George W. Bush issued an executive order establishing the Office of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Council. The hope of creating this new office was to make the fight against terrorism more centralized and to provide coordination among agencies. Their task is to prevent and disrupt future terrorist attacks, protect Americans, key resources and the infrastructure, and continue to strengthen the foundation to ensure long-term success. Specifically, they provide “a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from the attacks that do occur” (Office of Homeland Security, 2002).

Also, with the passage of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act in November 2001, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was established. The TSA provides security for all types of transportation; recruits, assesses, hires, trains, and deploys security officers for commercial airports; and includes screening of all checked luggage. The creation of the TSA dramatically changed the traveling experience in this country. Security screenings to the level they are today (removing shoes, no liquids over a certain size, scanning laptops, etc.) are all new since 9/11.

After the September 11th attacks, Congress quickly responded by passing the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT Act) on October 26th, 2001. Under this Act, national security agencies were given nearly unchecked freedom to monitor phone calls, text messages, emails, and any other communications of anyone they suspected of criminal behavior for any reason at all. For this reason, there has been a fear of the encroachment on civil liberties and freedoms given to U.S. citizens by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Despite privacy concerns, the Act continues. The main focus is on monitoring suspicious activity through the collection of communications information and data; conducting foreign intelligence investigations; controlling money laundering, and funding and enhancing national border security. President Barack Obama approved a four-year extension of expiring portions of the USA PATRIOT Act in May 2011. The provisions extended were the government’s authority to conduct roving wiretaps, their access to personal records of terrorism suspects, and permitting the government to investigate foreigners even when they have no known affiliation with terrorist groups.

On June 1, 2015, the USA PATRIOT Act expired. The next day, the USA Freedom Act was enacted, restoring several provisions of the original USA PATRIOT Act. However, the National Security Agency’s (NSA) controversial collection of phone data of Americans who have no association with terrorist groups was ended by a vote in the Senate.

10.5.2 Current Threats

The FBI is one of the agencies tasked with combating terrorism in the United States. This includes all types of mass murders, domestic terrorism, and international terrorism. They report that threats have evolved since 9/11 and, out of necessity, so has their approach. Specifically, they point to “lone offenders” and the internet and social media as the biggest cause for concern today (FBI, 2022). According to their website,

• Lone offenders: Terrorist threats have evolved from large-group conspiracies toward lone-offender attacks. These individuals often radicalize online and mobilize to violence quickly. Without a clear group affiliation or guidance, lone offenders are challenging to identify, investigate, and disrupt. The FBI relies on partnerships and tips from the public to identify and thwart these attacks.
• The Internet and social media: International and domestic violent extremists have developed an extensive presence on the Internet through messaging platforms and online images, videos, and publications. These facilitate the groups’ ability to radicalize and recruit individuals who are receptive to extremist messaging. Social media has also allowed both international and domestic terrorists to gain unprecedented, virtual access to people living in the United States in an effort to enable homeland attacks. The Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS), in particular, encourages sympathizers to carry out simple attacks wherever they are located—or to travel to ISIS-held territory in Iraq and Syria and join its ranks as foreign fighters. This message has resonated with supporters in the United States and abroad.

As terrorism (domestic and international) continues to evolve, so must the efforts to stop these horrific acts.