Extremely increased risk to public and national security “sees” the director of the agency, Christopher Ray
The FBI is concerned about the possibility of an organized attack in the United States similar to the one that took place last month at a concert venue in Russia that killed dozens of people, the agency's director is expected to tell a House committee today.
“Looking back over my law enforcement career I would be hard-pressed to find a time when the risk to public and national security was so heightened at the same time. But that's the way it is today,” Christopher Wray is set to tell MPs during a budget meeting.
The March 22 attack at a concert venue near Moscow killed 144 people and was the bloodiest to have taken place in Russia in 20 years.
An offshoot of Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, but Russian President Vladimir Putin, without citing evidence, tried to blame Ukraine.
Fear of a coordinated attack
American officials are concerned about the possibility of an individual or small group carrying out an attack inspired by the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
But the FBI is increasingly concerned about a more coordinated attack after the one in Russia, Wray is expected to say.
Wray is also set to press the lawmakers to renew a US surveillance program set to expire this month, calling it an essential tool against US enemies.
