Domestic Terrorism: Further Actions Needed to Strengthen FBI and DHS Collaboration to Counter Threats

Domestic terrorism investigations have more than doubled since 2020, according to the FBI. FBI and DHS are the main federal entities charged with preventing terrorist attacks in the U.S. FBI has lead responsibility for federal domestic terrorism investigations and domestic intelligence efforts. DHS is responsible for producing terrorist threat information in coordination with federal, state and local government agencies, and private entities.

GAO was asked to review domestic terrorism threats, incidents, and related federal cases and charges. This report addresses, among other objectives, the extent to which the FBI and DHS track domestic terrorism investigations and incidents, and follow leading collaboration practices in their efforts to counter domestic terrorism threats.