The homeland security threat landscape has evolved from being primarily focused on counterterrorism to a complex and diverse landscape of challenges that include cyberattacks, domestic extremism, and the COVID-19 pandemic, among others, stated DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in his annual State of the Homeland Address.
Speaking last week at the Council on Foreign Relations, Secretary Mayorkas reflected on how DHS has evolved since it was founded more than 20 years ago. He noted that while DHS was first created to address foreign terrorist threats, over the years the threat has diminished (although not gone away) due to relentless counterterrorism efforts. Today, “lone offenders and small cells of individuals motivated by a wide range of grievances and violent extremist ideologies – from white supremacy and anti-Semitism to anti-government attitudes – pose the most persistent and lethal terrorism-related threat in the [U.S.].” Moreover, the Secretary notably emphasized the increasing complex threat environment has led to a convergence of homeland security with broader national security.
In addition, Secretary Mayorkas underscored the intensifying effects of climate change are impacting the homeland. “Wildfire season is no longer confined to the summer months but is now year-round. Tornadoes and named hurricanes in the United States are more frequent and more destructive,” the Secretary stated. Discussing threats from the cyber domain, the Secretary noted threats to digital assets have exponentially increased over the years. “Today, malicious cyber actors are capable of disrupting gasoline supplies across an entire region of the country, preventing hospitals from delivering critical care, and causing disruption in some of the school systems around our country.” Lastly, the Secretary highlighted the threat from the People’s Republic of China. “Beijing has the capability and the intent to undermine our interests at home and abroad and is leveraging every instrument of its national power to do so.” Read a transcript of Secretary Mayorkas’ remarks at DHS and watch a recording of the event at CFR.
