Acting DHS Security Secretary David Pekoske issued the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin “due to a high threat environment in the United States”, which DHS believes will persist in the weeks following the presidential inauguration.
“The information suggests that some ideologically motivated violent extremists who object to the exercise of government authority and the presidential transition, as well as other perceived complaints fueled by false narratives, may continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence,” says the bulletin.
Earlier this month, CNN reported that discussions were under way about increasing the level of terrorism threat, according to two sources familiar with the discussions at the time.
The National Terrorism Advisory System – which replaced the color-coded alerts from the Homeland Security Advisory System – is under the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security. Warnings are sent in the event of an imminent or high threat to the public.
The latest statement issued resulted from an Iran-related terrorist threat to the United States last January.
This is a last-minute story and will be updated.