FBI Counterterrorism Executive Briefs Congress on ISIL and Domestic Terrorism

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Assistant Director Michael Steinbach recently briefed the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on the dynamic threat posed by foreign fighters traveling in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the continued threat to America posed by homegrown violent extremists.  The FBI estimates that upwards of 150 Americans have traveled or attempted to travel to Syria to join extremist groups.  In addition,  groups such as ISIL are influencing individuals located in the United States and inspiring them to commit acts of violence.  The blending of homegrown violent extremism with the foreign fighter ideology represents the latest adaptation of the homegrown violent extremist threat.

The testimony of FBI Assistant Director Michael Steinbach can be viewed at http://www.fbi.gov/news/testimony/isil-in-america-domestic-terror-and-radicalization.