DHS Identifies Top National Security Threats: Illegal Drugs, Mexican-produced Fentanyl, Terrorism, and Election-related Violence

The Department of Homeland Security's annual threat study predicts that illegal drugs, particularly those produced in Mexico and sold in the United States, will be one of the top national security threats in 2024. Overdose deaths have exceeded 100,000 in the past year, with fentanyl being the leading cause. The report also highlights the impact of illegal drugs on American communities, including supporting criminal enterprises and undermining the rule of law. While terrorism remains a significant threat, both foreign and domestic, the report emphasizes the need to monitor critical infrastructure and the potential for violence from individuals radicalized in the United States. The report also addresses threats along the southern border, increased migration challenges, and the focus on domestic violent extremists and cyberattacks, particularly in relation to the 2024 election.