The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) issued a nationwide advisory Friday, warning that al-Qaida and its Yemen-based affiliate, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), remain intent on carrying out attacks against the U.S.
The warning comes as law enforcement prepares for heightened security in connection with upcoming public events, including memorials for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The memo, obtained by Newsmax, said that al-Qaida and affiliated groups are “likely seeking to leverage their media publications and global conflicts, particularly where there is U.S. support or military involvement, to inspire potential attackers.” It urged government personnel to increase vigilance in the weeks ahead.
The center, which was created after the September 11, 2001 attacks, recommended specific precautionary steps for federal employees. Officials were told not to share travel plans publicly, to avoid carrying work badges outside official duties, and to remain alert to possible surveillance when traveling to and from federal facilities.
The advisory also highlighted risks to so-called “soft targets,” including concerts, sporting events, and other large gatherings. Local authorities were urged to bolster visible law enforcement presences, expand security patrols, and conduct pre-event briefings designed to detect and deter possible plots.
According to the memo, the purpose of the warning was not to cause public alarm but to provide state and local agencies with actionable tools to prevent attacks. Still, the timing has heightened concerns as thousands of people are expected to attend Kirk’s memorial service.
Conservative journalist Laura Loomer issued a separate warning Friday night, claiming federal officials had gone further in private assessments, as the Conservative Brief reported.
“Sources tell me tonight that the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) has officially determined that Islamic terrorists affiliated with Al Qaeda have infiltrated U.S. soil and are actively planning a series of coordinated Islamic terror attacks,” Loomer wrote on X. “This marks the first time federal counterterrorism officials have openly acknowledged the immediacy of such threats.”
Loomer alleged that terrorists may attempt to impersonate first responders by acquiring police and EMT uniforms, enabling them to blend in during mass-casualty incidents and redirect panicked crowds before launching secondary attacks.
She further claimed that operatives have already scouted hospitals in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Miami, with the aim of overwhelming emergency facilities to increase casualties.
One Department of Homeland Security source described such a scenario as “horrific beyond comprehension,” according to Loomer.
The warnings follow a June video statement from Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, leader of al-Qaida in Yemen, calling for jihad against the United States. In the 34-minute video, al-Awlaki specifically called for the assassination of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The message was released shortly after U.S. officials reaffirmed support for Israel.
Al-Awlaki declared, “There are no boundaries left after what has occurred — and continues to occur — to our people in Gaza,” urging Muslims inside the United States to take action.
Though weakened by U.S. military operations, al-Qaida has repeatedly demonstrated resilience by shifting strategies, encouraging lone-wolf actors, and exploiting conflict zones. A Department of Homeland Security report issued last year noted that the group had “reinvigorated its outreach” to Western audiences and remained committed to targeting the U.S.
Officials stressed that the current threat environment is complex, blending international and domestic elements, and requires constant vigilance at every level of government.
