U.S. Grapples with Domestic Islamist Threats After Terror Attacks

Calls grow for government action against extremist groups linked to recent incidents

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:19pm

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Following recent terror attacks in Virginia and Michigan, there are growing calls for the U.S. government to confront domestic Islamist networks and organizations that have been accused of ties to militant groups and activities counter to American interests. Several Muslim groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and others, have faced designations as terrorist organizations in some states, raising questions about what the federal government should do to address the threat.

Why it matters

The article argues that the U.S. government needs to take stronger action against Islamist groups within the country that have been linked to terrorism and activities seen as undermining national security. The recent attacks have heightened concerns about the threat posed by these domestic extremist networks.

The details

The article cites several Muslim organizations that have faced designations as terrorist groups in states like Texas and Florida, including the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR, American Muslims for Palestine, the Islamic Society of North America, and others. These groups have been accused of ties to militant Islamist activities, support for Hamas, and advocacy against U.S. and Israeli interests. The author argues that if the attacks continue, these groups should be shut down and disbanded, though acknowledges some liberal judges may not allow it.

  • Two more terrorist attacks occurred last week - one at Old Dominion University in Virginia and the other at a synagogue and Jewish school in Dearborn, Michigan.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The governor of Florida who has taken steps to ban Sharia law in the state and give himself the authority to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.

Muslim Brotherhood

A Muslim organization that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by Texas and Florida due to accusations of acting as a 'militant Islamist organization' that aims to undermine U.S. national security and support groups like Hamas.

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

A Muslim organization that has been designated as a 'foreign terrorist organization' by Texas and Florida late last year due to alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, though CAIR denies these links.

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What they’re saying

“If further attacks continue on U.S. soil, at a minimum, these groups should be closed and disbanded. Although some liberal judges might not allow it, voters in November could do something about it by electing people who put America ahead of its enemies, foreign and especially domestic.”

— Cal Thomas, Author

What’s next

The article does not mention any clear next steps, but implies that the U.S. government may need to take stronger action against domestic Islamist groups if the terror attacks continue.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over how the U.S. government should address the threat posed by Islamist extremist networks operating within the country, with calls for more aggressive action against groups accused of ties to terrorism and activities counter to American interests.