FBI co-deputy director Chris Raia warned in 2026 that foreign terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIS are actively radicalizing individuals in the U.S. via social media, leading to at least 16 arrests in the past year and a half. The agency has identified these groups as seeking to develop “lone offenders” inside the United States who can operate without direct command structures.

“We see people getting radicalized from the comforts of their own home, through social media, the internet,” Raia said. “Those are the folks that keep me up at night because it's just so much harder for us to detect those.”

Raia stated that the bureau is “way better postured now in 2026, based on legislation, based on how far we've come in the [FBI] bureau, based on how far we've come in the U.S. intelligence community.” Despite these improvements, he acknowledged the persistent threat posed by online radicalization. The FBI continues to monitor communications for signs of planned violence.

“Every time you start digging into their media, digging into their communications, there's always, always references to 9/11,” he said. He added that commemorating the attacks remains a central motivator for these groups. “That is their Super Bowl.” This symbolic date drives much of the ideological messaging used to recruit new followers.

The March 2026 U.S. intelligence community report stated that ISIS has up to 18,000 members worldwide. The same report stated that al-Qaeda has up to 28,000 members worldwide. These figures provide context for the scale of the organizations operating globally. The report was released in March 2026 as part of an assessment of worldwide threats.

Craig Tremaroli serves as the head of the FBI's field office in Albany. He commented on the local implications of national security threats. “Let that sink in,” Tremaroli said. His remark followed discussions about the reach of extremist ideologies into local communities.

The FBI arrested Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, New York, three weeks prior to September 8, 2026, for allegedly plotting to bomb the New York state capitol. Charging documents against Bowie stated she wrote "Praise be to Allah for September 11th" on social media in the weeks before her arrest. Agents said they found knives and a handwritten pledge of allegiance to ISIS on her, according to the FBI. The official record of this event states that Bowie was arrested on August 19, 2026, after leaving a meeting with the inert gun and device.

The official record of this event states that Bowie recorded and disseminated to others online her “Bayah,” or formal oath of allegiance to ISIS. Bowie is researcher. She has not yet entered a plea in her case. The official record of this event states that no date for Bowie's next court appearance has been set.

The official record of this event states that the charge against Bowie carries a statutory maximum prison term of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a lifetime term of supervised release. This penalty reflects the severity of the alleged plot. Federal prosecutors are pursuing the case under terrorism statutes.

Raia noted that the FBI's footprint when it comes to the immigration policy or immigration is very minimal. He shifted focus to other emerging threats. “Drones has really been forefront of my priorities,” he said.

He warned that drone technology could be weaponized domestically. “You would be silly to think that that's not coming to the United States at some point, and we are trying to stay ahead of that.”

Raia invoked the public awareness campaign established after the 2001 attacks. “See something, say something,” he said. He argued that vigilance remains critical in the current environment. “That campaign that started 20-something years ago, that is just as important today in 2026, if not more important than it was in 2001.” Public cooperation helps authorities identify potential threats early.

Darren Cox serves as the assistant director in charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office. He discussed the health impacts on agents who responded to the September 11 attacks. “For over two weeks, the FBI employees worked there at the scene,” Cox said.

He showed the long-term consequences of that exposure. “And the number continues to rise.” This refers to the count of agents diagnosed with related illnesses.

John Adams is a retired FBI agent and former Evidence Response Team leader. John Adams arrived at the Pentagon minutes after American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into it on September 11, 2001. John Adams was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma three years prior to September 2026.

The World Trade Center Health Program determined John Adams' cancer was related to his 9/11 exposure. His case illustrates the medical toll on first responders.

Cox emphasized the commitment of bureau personnel. “The one common theme among the FBI, all our employees, is that dedication,” he said. This sentiment reflects the agency's response to both external threats and internal health challenges. Agents continue to serve despite the risks associated with their past deployments.

Why It Matters

The FBI has arrested at least 16 people inside the U.S. for allegedly plotting or supporting plots to kill Americans on behalf of al-Qaeda or ISIS in the past year and a half. These arrests demonstrate the ongoing effort to disrupt lone offender plots facilitated by social media. Foreign terrorist organizations have shown themselves to be adaptable and agile in using digital tools to radicalize individuals remotely. "We see people getting radicalized from the comforts of their own home, through social media, the internet."

The March 2026 U.S. intelligence community report stated that ISIS has up to 18,000 members worldwide and al-Qaeda has up to 28,000 members worldwide. These global networks maintain the capacity to inspire domestic attacks. The case of Bowie, who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS online, shows how these ideologies penetrate local communities. Her arrest and the charges she faces are part of the legal mechanisms used to counter such threats.

What's New

The official record of this event states that Bowie was arrested on August 19, 2026, after leaving a meeting with the inert gun and device, according to the FBI. Agents said they found knives and a handwritten pledge of allegiance to ISIS on her.

“And the number continues to rise,” Cox said regarding the health impacts on agents.