Biden-Harris administration fails to address radical Islamic groups, putting our children at risk

It comes as no surprise that the two Austrian teenagers arrested for planning a terror attack at a Taylor Swift concert were radicalized through online exposure to ISIS and al Qaeda.

Radical Islamic groups have been growing unchecked during the Biden-Harris administration, actively targeting our youth.

ISIS is not passively seeking support but actively recruiting young individuals, as evidenced by the two individuals in Vienna willing to use violence and weapons for a nefarious attack at a Swift concert.

FBI Director Christopher Wray has been warning about potential domestic terrorist attacks inspired by groups like ISIS, referencing the Moscow attack in March that left 133 people dead.

This recent incident underscores the very real threat highlighted by Wray, emphasizing the vulnerability of Americans to such attacks.

Open borders have long been a vulnerability for Homeland Security, allowing potential terrorists to enter the US. Now, online platforms are also being exploited by Middle Eastern terrorist groups to radicalize American youth.

USCENTCOM revealed 153 ISIS attacks in the first half of 2024, double the number from the previous year, with an estimated 2,500 ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria and 9,500 in US custody awaiting repatriation.

The threat posed by ISIS continues to evolve and adapt, with a focus on online recruitment and radicalization targeting young individuals.

While ISIS may no longer hold physical territory like it did previously, it has established a strong online presence that reaches a wider audience, particularly teenagers between 13 and 19.

Recent data from Europol shows a significant number of ISIS plots involving children, highlighting the urgent need to address this social media threat and prevent further radicalization.

Social media platforms popular among European and American children, such as TikTok and Twitch, are being exploited by ISIS and al Qaeda for recruitment purposes, posing a serious and growing threat to youth worldwide.

Mark Toth specializes in national security and foreign policy, while Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Sweet has 30 years of experience as a military intelligence officer.