U.S. law enforcement officials say they thwarted multiple terror threats from "coast to coast" in the two weeks surrounding the Fourth of July holiday.
CNN reported Thursday:
In fitting with calls by ISIS to attack in any way possible, the attempted plots were unsophisticated, including guns, knives and other weapons. Also fitting with recent patterns, investigators believe the plots, though not directed by overseas terror groups providing specific means of attack or specific targets, were "enabled" by actors abroad, including recruiting the suspects and encouraging them to carry out attacks on US soil.
Ahead of Independence Day, the FBI and Homeland Security issued a warning to local law enforcement about an elevated potential for terror attacks targeting the July 4 holiday.
The government has been particularly concerned with the campaign by the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIL or ISIS) to recruit individuals using social media.
President Obama during his remarks Monday on the ongoing campaign against IS emphasized the need for the United States to counter the terror group’s "ideology" on the Internet.
"The United States will continue to do our part by working with partners to counter ISIL’s hateful propaganda, especially online," Obama said.
