House leaders warn Americans of July 4 terror threats

WASHINGTON — Americans need to remain vigilant to the threat of a terrorist attack heading into the Independence Day weekend, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee warned Sunday.

Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said there has been increased chatter on social media that indicates terrorists may be planning to strike during the celebrations.

"I am extremely concerned that Syrian and ISIS recruiters can use the Internet at lightning speeds to recruit followers in the United States...and then activate them to do whatever they want to do," McCaul said on Fox News Sunday. "Whether it's military installations, law enforcement or possibly a Fourth of July event parade."

He noted that a spokesman for the Islamic State has called for terrorist acts during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the one-year anniversary of the creation of the Islamic State, and America's Fourth of July holiday.

"I think given these confluence of events we're being on the cautious side here to warn the public to remain vigilant - to enjoy the Fourth of July parades, but remain vigilant during these celebrations," McCaul said.

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Federal authorities have warned local law enforcement officials across the country about a heightened concern involving possible terror attacks targeting the July 4 holiday. While there was no specific or credible threat of attack, the intelligence bulletin prepared by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI alerted local authorities to the ongoing threats posed by the Islamic State and other homegrown extremists.

The warnings came in the wake of terrorist attacks Friday in Tunisia, Kuwait and France.

"There's probably more concern now than at any time since 9/11," said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee.

King, speaking on ABC's This Week said the concern is not just about "lone wolf" terrorists who may be inspired by social media. He said there is also the potential for coordinated attacks.

"ISIS is incomparable as far as terrorist organizations (in using social media)," King said. "It can reach the disaffected, the deranged, and the ideologically committed."

King pointed to a recent series of arrests of suspected terrorists in New York as evidence of what is happening. Three men were arrested in New York this month in connection with an alleged plot to set off pressure-cooker explosives in New York City. One of the men also was charged with attempted murder for attacking an FBI agent with a kitchen knife.

McCaul introduced a bill last week to establish a full-time federal office dedicated to combating violent extremism on U.S. soil. The office would become part of the Department of Homeland Security.