National security experts are urging the Department of Homeland Security to raise the national terror threat level following a deadly shooting in Austin, Texas, that investigators believe may be linked to terrorism. Charles Marino, a former DHS advisor and Secret Service agent, warned Monday that the United States is facing an escalating danger from sleeper cells operating within our borders. The calls for heightened vigilance come as joint U.S.-Israeli strikes recently killed several Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Marino blamed the "vicious" border policies of the previous administration for turning the nation's boundaries into a "sieve" for global threats. "There's no doubt that law enforcement and intelligence agencies are operating at an elevated threat level here in the United States," Marino told "Fox & Friends First." He argued that the "clunky" exploitation of asylum and temporary protective status programs has allowed myriad threats to infiltrate American communities.
The warning follows a horrific bar shooting in Austin where a gunman, seen wearing a hoodie referencing "Allah," killed three people and wounded 14 others. Federal authorities are investigating the attack as a possible act of radicalized terror, highlighting concerns about "segregated" immigrant communities being susceptible to extremist ideologies. Marino noted that this radicalization often targets those with mental health issues or those going through "a tough time in their lives."
Adding to the instability, a "clown show" in Congress over DHS funding is threatening to stall critical national security operations. Former ATF Special Agent Bernard Zapor warned that allowing politics to interfere with public safety is "ridiculous" and puts every restaurant and bar at unnecessary risk. He emphasized that protecting American citizens must remain paramount above the "scoundrel" games being played in Washington.
The administration remains focused on its "day one" priority of securing the homeland through "Peace Through Strength" and enhanced vetting. While federal law enforcement continues to monitor critical infrastructure and cybersecurity systems, experts like Marino say a formal elevation of the National Terrorism Advisory System is long overdue. He urged the American people to stay vigilant and cooperate with authorities as the "biological truth" of the global threat environment becomes more clear.
As the investigation into the Texas shooting continues, the White House is signaling that it will not tolerate any acts of terror on U.S. soil. The president has previously vowed to "never allow" sponsors of terror to threaten the "American Manufacturing Renaissance" or the safety of our streets. For security officials, the message is simple: secure the border, fund the agencies, and "get off your butts" to protect the homeland.