Fort Dix Plot Shows Threat of Homegrown Radicalism (Sen. Susan Collins)

Our homeland security efforts have made it increasingly difficult for foreign terrorists to infiltrate and operate in the United States. Increased border security and screening of overseas airline passengers do not, however, protect us from homegrown terrorists. The rise of domestic terrorist groups inspired by but not directly linked to Al Qaeda — such as the men who planned to attack Fort Dix — is an emerging threat to our nation’s security.

Our hearing yesterday focused on the coordinated efforts of government agencies to counter the threat posed by those who want to radicalize people already in our country in order to promote attacks on this nation, our military, and our citizens.

The Fort Dix case demonstrates that the combined efforts of federal and local law enforcement, homeland security agencies, and the average American citizen are essential to thwart terrorists’ attacks. An alert citizen contacted local law enforcement, who then worked with the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force to avert what could have been a very serious attack.