In a chilling interview on the Shawn Ryan Show, former CIA targeting officer Sarah Adams issued a stark warning: Al-Qaeda sleeper cells could already be active within the United States, preparing for devastating attacks. Adams linked recent high-profile incidents, including a deadly car-ramming attack in New Orleans and an explosion near Trump Tower in Las Vegas, to a broader terrorist strategy, raising alarms about a potential large-scale attack on U.S. soil.
Adams, a seasoned Middle Eastern affairs expert and now a global threat advisor, emphasized that the U.S. may be underestimating the looming danger. She pointed to intelligence suggesting Al-Qaeda’s ongoing efforts to activate operatives within the U.S., a claim that has left many questioning national security measures.
During the interview, host Shawn Ryan pressed Adams for specifics, asking, “Are you 100% certain there are over 1,000 Al-Qaeda-trained fighters within the U.S. borders?”
Adams responded, citing Al-Qaeda’s own claims of training and deploying over 1,000 fighters for coordinated attacks. While she noted the group’s tendency to exaggerate figures, she warned that even a fraction of this number poses a grave threat.
Her remarks came amid investigations into recent terrorist attacks, including the tragic Bourbon Street car-ramming in New Orleans that claimed 15 lives. These events, Adams suggested, could be precursors to larger, more coordinated strikes.
Adams highlighted the recent postponement of the Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans as a potential indicator of a broader threat. She noted that these disruptions might not be isolated incidents but rather signals of an escalating pattern of violence.
The former CIA officer also stressed the emotional and psychological toll of a major attack on U.S. soil, particularly one linked to Al-Qaeda or Afghanistan. For many, including veterans of the war on terror, such an event would compound the sense of betrayal following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Adding to the alarm, former National Security Adviser General Mike Flynn criticized what he described as failures in intelligence and prevention. Flynn, whose family was in New Orleans during the attack, condemned decision-makers for missing opportunities to thwart the tragedy.
“The most important aspects are what’s not currently being reported,” Flynn said, accusing federal agencies of downplaying the terrorist nature of recent events. He underscored the need for proactive intelligence gathering and criticized reactive approaches that come only after attacks occur.
Flynn’s remarks, shared widely on social media, reflect growing public frustration with perceived lapses in national security.
Compounding the issue, a federal counter-terrorism source revealed intelligence suggesting that pre-trained Al-Qaeda operatives may have entered the U.S. through the southern border. These revelations have reignited debates about border security under the Biden-Harris administration, with critics arguing that lax policies have left the nation vulnerable.
Adams corroborated these concerns, warning that Al-Qaeda’s global jihadist ambitions are bolstered by perceived U.S. weaknesses. She stressed that the sleeper cell threat is not just a hypothetical scenario but a present and urgent danger.
While many view Adams’ warnings as a call to action, others have questioned whether such claims are being used to justify increased surveillance and funding for counter-terrorism efforts. Skeptics argue that these assertions may serve political agendas rather than reflect actionable intelligence.
Still, the recent attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas have undeniably heightened public awareness and anxiety about terrorism. Whether these incidents are isolated acts or part of a coordinated effort remains under investigation.
As law enforcement agencies scramble to piece together the puzzle, the U.S. faces critical questions about its readiness to counter domestic and international terrorism.
- Sleeper Cells: Are there truly over 1,000 Al-Qaeda-trained operatives in the U.S., and how can they be identified and neutralized?
- Prevention vs. Reaction: What systemic changes are needed to shift from reactive responses to proactive prevention of terrorist activities?
- Border Security: How can the government address the vulnerabilities at the southern border to prevent terrorist infiltration?
These questions demand immediate and decisive action. Adams’ stark warnings, combined with the recent spate of attacks, have amplified calls for enhanced intelligence operations and a unified national security strategy.
For now, the nation remains on high alert, with officials urging vigilance and cooperation from the public. The potential for future attacks is a grim reminder that the fight against terrorism, both foreign and domestic, is far from over.
