Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reveals approximately 600 asylum seekers with terrorist connections entered the U.S. under Biden administration policies, while federal agents scramble to locate these individuals now designated as national security threats.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 600 individuals with ties to terrorist organizations were granted asylum in the US during the Biden administration according to DNI Tulsi Gabbard.
- Gabbard’s office is actively working with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to locate these individuals deemed security threats.
- The investigation was launched after President Trump classified certain cartels, including MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations.
- Federal agents have already arrested several suspects, including a reported leader of the Tren de Aragua cartel discovered in Los Angeles.
- Gabbard also recently declassified a Biden-era domestic terrorism strategy document that reveals collaboration between federal agencies and tech companies.
National Security Threat Uncovered
The Trump administration is confronting a serious national security challenge after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revealed approximately 600 individuals with terrorist connections were granted asylum during the previous administration. The alarming discovery comes from an investigation Gabbard ordered at the National Counterterrorism Center following President Trump’s designation of certain cartels, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and the Sinaloa Cartel, as foreign terrorist organizations. The investigation has already yielded results, with federal agents arresting several suspects, including a purported leader of the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua cartel discovered in Los Angeles.
The National Counterterrorism Center was specifically directed to identify both cartel members currently within U.S. borders and those attempting to enter the country. Gabbard’s office confirmed they are now working alongside the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI in a coordinated effort to locate these individuals who pose potential security risks. The revelation has intensified scrutiny of immigration policies under the Biden administration, particularly its asylum processing procedures and vetting protocols for those entering the country.
Classified Domestic Terrorism Strategy Revealed
This revelation coincides with Gabbard’s declassification of a controversial Biden-era counter-terrorism strategy. The document, developed in 2021 following the January 6 Capitol riot, outlined the previous administration’s approach to countering domestic terrorism. The strategy included enhanced information-sharing between federal agencies and technology companies, a legislative push to ban certain firearms and magazines, and tracking of foreign disinformation efforts. The plan addressed multiple aspects of counter-terrorism, including in-prison radicalization, extremism within military ranks, and coordinated efforts with private industry.
“Until yesterday, the Biden Administration’s ‘Plan for Countering Domestic Terrorism’ was classified. Now, thanks to @DNIGabbard, it’s public. It’s a roadmap for left-wing ideological warfare,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.
The strategy contained four principal goals: understanding and sharing terrorism-related information, preventing recruitment and mobilization, disrupting domestic terrorist activities, and addressing long-term contributors to domestic terrorism. Critics have raised concerns about the plan’s approach, with the American Civil Liberties Union warning it potentially expanded government surveillance capabilities and created risks of profiling based on race, religion, or national origin. Republican lawmakers have characterized the initiative as an ideological weaponization of intelligence agencies.
Gabbard declassifies Biden counterterrorism strategy, confirms push for information-sharing with Big Tech https://t.co/IKFBaQEWE0
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 17, 2025
Cross-Agency Collaboration and Funding
The declassified document reveals extensive collaboration between multiple federal entities, including the Department of Homeland Security, State Department, USAID, and Department of Education. Implementation of the strategy involved significant funding, with the Department of Homeland Security allocating $90 million to various government entities through the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program. The plan also emphasized developing digital literacy initiatives designed to counter disinformation, as well as promoting civics education and improving hate crime reporting mechanisms.
“reflects the government’s ever-expanding authority to surveil and monitor American communities; law enforcement guidance that permits profiling on the basis of race, religion, or national origin; and the use of abusive tools such as the watchlisting system against people for constitutionally protected speech and association,” criticized the American Civil Liberties Union
Gabbard’s declassification of the document followed requests from conservative groups concerned about potential censorship and the labeling of certain speech as extremist. The release coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement that he was closing the State Department’s Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference office, which he criticized for spending millions “to actively silence and censor the voices of Americans they were supposed to be serving.” These developments highlight the substantial policy shifts in national security and counter-terrorism approaches under the Trump administration.
Sources:
- Gabbard declassifies Biden counterterrorism strategy, confirms push for information-sharing with Big Tech
- Biden administration partnered with private companies, USAID to combat ‘disinformation’ | National | thecentersquare.com
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