Jon Dougherty29 minutes ago

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned that suspected terrorists may be present inside the United States, criticizing immigration and vetting policies under the Biden administration and describing the situation as a national security concern.

Gabbard cited data from the National Counterterrorism Center indicating that approximately 18,000 known or suspected terrorists entered the United States during the previous administration. She said her primary concern is that additional individuals may have entered the country without being identified by authorities.

Gabbard made the remarks in an interview with Fox News over the weekend while discussing broader counterterrorism challenges facing U.S. intelligence agencies and the ongoing efforts to identify potential security threats within the country.

“The Biden administration did not take their vetting responsibilities seriously,” Gabbard said on “Saturday in America.”

The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized immigration and vetting policies implemented under the Biden administration and has cited national security concerns as justification for expanded enforcement efforts. During his second term, President Donald Trump ordered a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration.

Gabbard said that of the estimated 18,000 known or suspected terrorists identified by the National Counterterrorism Center, approximately 2,000 were Afghan nationals who entered the United States following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

More than 100,000 Afghans were evacuated during the withdrawal. Lawmakers from both parties have previously raised concerns that the rapid pace of the evacuation resulted in gaps in the vetting process for some evacuees.

Conservativebrief.com