FBI Official Warns of Potential Terror Threat to U.S. Before Election Day

A source told CBS News that New York, Texas and Virginia are possible targets.

By Liberty McArtor Published on November 4, 2016

Al Qaeda may be planning terror attacks in New York, Texas and Virginia for Monday before Election Day, CBS News reported Friday morning.

A source told CBS News that counter-terrorism officials were informed of the potential threats as a precautionary measure. The FBI and New York Police Department are assessing the credibility of the threats, The Associated Press reported.

Both Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton are holding their Election Day parties in New York City, the AP reported. While New York, Texas and Virginia are believed to be the targets for the threatened attacks, no specific locations such as cities have been released.

According to the AP, an NYPD spokesman said in a statement that the information received by investigators “lacks specificity.”

Reuters reported that a U.S. official called the threat “uncorroborated” and that it could also be “an attempt to inspire someone here to mount an attack,” but added that federal agencies are still taking it seriously. Reuters also reported that a U.S. government source referenced the threat as relatively low-level.

According to a senior FBI official speaking to CBS News:

The counterterrorism and homeland security communities remain vigilant and well-postured to defend against attacks here in the United States. The FBI, working with our federal, state and local counterparts, shares and assesses intelligence on a daily basis and will continue to work closely with law enforcement and intelligence community partners to identify and disrupt any potential threat to public safety.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement on Twitter that his office is working closely with law enforcement officials to monitor the situation.

“Texas should go about their daily lives as usual, but remain vigilant over the next several days and report any suspicious activity to state or local law enforcement,” he said.

“What they really want to do is disrupt democracy in this country,” said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, CBS New York reported. “We’ll be prepared and we’ll be ready.”

Spokesman Brian Coy for Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe spoke with Reuters in a phone interview. “We are doing everything we can to keep Virginians safe, and we’re confident they are going to be able to vote safely on Election Day.”

Local law enforcement authorities throughout the country were warned earlier this week to take precautions against “lone wolf” attacks at polling places, CBS News reported. Meanwhile, U.S. authorities are also concerned about cyber attacks on Election Day, NBC News reported Friday, and are launching an “unprecedented effort” to counter any “cyber meddling” with Tuesday’s vote.

 

This is a developing story. Check back with The Stream for updates as the story progresses.

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