FBI Warns 9/11 Still Inspires Domestic Terrorists 25 Years Later

Twenty-five years after the al-Qaeda attacks on U.S. soil, federal authorities caution that the terrorist threat has not diminished and has become more difficult to detect. Chris Raia, the FBI’s co-deputy director, told ABC News that radicalization is increasingly occurring online, with individuals being inspired from within their own homes via social media.

“Those are the folks that keep me up at night because it’s just so much harder for us to detect those,” Raia said. While he acknowledged that the bureau is significantly better positioned to prevent large-scale conspiracies like the 2001 attacks due to advances in legislation and intelligence, he emphasized that groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS remain adaptable and agile.

Officials report that these organizations are actively seeking to cultivate lone offenders within the United States. Over the past eighteen months, the FBI has arrested at least 16 individuals domestically for allegedly plotting or supporting attacks against Americans on behalf of these groups. Concurrently, a March report from the U.S. intelligence community indicated that ISIS membership has reached approximately 18,000 worldwide, while al-Qaeda has grown to about 28,000 members.

Raia described 9/11 as the “Super Bowl” for terrorists, noting consistent references to the attacks in their communications. In a recent case, the FBI arrested Jessica Bowie, a 35-year-old from Albany, New York, for allegedly plotting to bomb the state capitol. Court documents reveal she posted “Praise be to Allah for September 11th” on social media prior to her arrest.

Craig Tremaroli, head of the FBI’s Albany field office, highlighted the stark shift in Bowie’s allegiance, stating she went from waving an American flag after the 2001 attacks to displaying stickers of the fallen towers. Bowie has not yet entered a plea.

Addressing criticism that the bureau has been diverted by immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, Raia rejected the notion, describing the FBI’s involvement in immigration policy as minimal. He asserted that counterterrorism remains a top priority and that the agency possesses adequate resources.

Raia also identified drones as a primary concern, stating that the FBI is working to stay ahead of potential domestic misuse. He urged the public to remain vigilant, reinforcing the “See something, say something” campaign as being just as critical in 2026 as it was in 2001.