FBI Director Kash Patel says federal agents stopped four major terror plots during last year’s holiday season, and his warning afterward was about as subtle as a fire alarm at 3 a.m. The threat of another large-scale terrorist attack on American soil, according to Patel, is still very real.
Speaking with Sean Hannity on the “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast, Patel revealed that the FBI disrupted four separate terror plots in just four weeks during December. That included what officials described as a “Halloween terror plot,” tied to an alleged ISIS-inspired scheme in Michigan.
“I can tell the American public, just look at the month of December alone last year. We stopped four terrorist attacks in four weeks during the holidays,” Patel said.
That is not exactly comforting dinner conversation, but it does underscore how active federal counterterrorism operations remain behind the scenes while most Americans are busy arguing about football playoffs and overpriced eggs.
According to Patel, one of the plots involved two Michigan men allegedly discussing a mass shooting using the codename “pumpkin.” Authorities said the pair were inspired by ISIS propaganda and targeted a Detroit-area suburb. Patel also referenced additional threats in Texas, Florida, and New York.
One previously disclosed case involved a North Carolina man accused of planning a New Year’s Eve attack using knives and hammers at public locations including a grocery store and fast-food restaurant. Apparently even terrorists are embracing inflation, because ammunition prices must be getting rough.
Despite the successful disruptions, Patel made clear the FBI is operating under constant pressure to prevent the next catastrophic attack before it happens.
“We are the folks that are responsible for safeguarding America,” Patel said. “We’re doing everything we can to not miss anything.”
Patel also pointed directly to the September 11 attacks as the type of nightmare scenario federal law enforcement continues preparing for every day. He warned that terrorist organizations remain patient and opportunistic, waiting for moments of weakness or distraction.
“The thing about terrorists is they’re exceedingly patient,” Patel said.
One major change Patel highlighted was the FBI’s expanded use of artificial intelligence. According to him, AI tools are now helping agents process enormous amounts of data and prioritize thousands of incoming tips more efficiently.
“AI was never used at the FBI until we got there. I’m using it everywhere,” Patel explained.
Patel credited AI with helping stop a potential school massacre in North Carolina after authorities received a tip that was rapidly analyzed through the bureau’s new systems. In his view, relying only on human analysts to process every lead would create dangerous delays.
The FBI director also warned that the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan created new concerns about terrorist groups regrouping overseas. Critics of the withdrawal have argued for years that abandoning Bagram Air Base and collapsing the Afghan government handed extremist groups fresh opportunities to reorganize.
Patel’s comments serve as a reminder that while Washington spends most of its time fighting over social media posts and committee hearings, federal agents are still confronting threats that could kill Americans in large numbers. It is not glamorous work, and most of it never makes headlines. Frankly, that is probably a good thing.
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