In the recently released 2024 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Threat Assessment, a grim picture is painted of the failures of Joe Biden and his administration. This comprehensive report focuses on the threats to public safety, border and immigration, critical infrastructure, and economic security. From foreign and domestic terrorists to drug cartels and nation-state actors, the sources of these threats are varied and formidable.

According to the assessment, groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS are actively seeking to rebuild overseas and maintain worldwide networks of supporters. The report warns that these groups could potentially target the United States. Furthermore, Iran is identified as the primary sponsor of terrorism, with ongoing efforts to advance plots against individuals within the country.

The report highlights the consequences of Joe Biden’s disastrous pullout from Afghanistan. Intelligence officials point to the country as a prime area where Islamic terrorists have swiftly gathered, reorganizing and planning future attacks against the West. ISIS’s regional branch, ISIS-Khorasan, has gained prominence through high-casualty attacks and media releases aimed at Western audiences. The report also emphasizes the interest of individuals with terrorism connections in using established travel routes and permissive environments to facilitate access to the United States.

Illicit drugs continue to pose one of the top threats to the United States, with overdose deaths skyrocketing in recent years. The Sinaloa Cartel and the New Generation Jalisco Cartel are flooding the streets with fentanyl, contributing to this alarming trend. These organizations rely on bribery and violence to expand their smuggling and narcotics production operations in Mexico. They also leverage companies in China to procure fentanyl precursor chemicals and pill pressing equipment.

One of the most glaring failures of the Biden administration is the historic number of illegal aliens pouring into the United States through the southern border. The report highlights how Mexico’s leftist government expressed concerns about Biden’s policies, believing that they were stoking illegal immigration and creating business for organized crime.

The report reveals that approximately 160 non-US individuals attempted to enter the United States via the southern border in the year, most of whom were encountered attempting to illegally enter between ports of entry. This influx of illegal crossings is not limited to the southern border alone, as the northern border has also experienced record-high illegal crossings under the Biden administration.

The assessment acknowledges that chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats to the Homeland will persist into 2024. However, the deliberate use of such threats against the United States is expected to be limited. Nation-state actors like Russia, Iran, and China are identified as serious threats, employing various means to undermine the country’s security.

Russia’s cyber activities targeting the United States have increased since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. Pro-Russian cyber criminal groups collaborate to conduct disruptive attacks against US government systems, as well as the transportation and healthcare sectors. Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are among the tactics employed by these groups.

The assessment notes that Iranian government cyber actors continue to engage in cyber espionage against US critical infrastructure entities. They employ social engineering tactics, utilize scanning and hacking tools, and exploit known software and hardware vulnerabilities to carry out these activities.

China poses the greatest threat among the three nation-state actors mentioned in the assessment. The report highlights several areas where China’s actions undermine US interests. Chinese AI technologies, including generative AI programs, have the potential to undermine US cyber defenses and support malicious activities such as malware attacks.

Chinese government cyber actors are likely to continue targeting key critical infrastructure sectors in the United States, including healthcare, financial services, defense, government facilities, and communications. Beijing’s expansion of maritime logistics capabilities and the use of Chinese logistics technologies increase the risk of espionage and potential disruption operations at ports.

China’s control and manipulation of critical supply chains are identified as an economic security threat to the United States. Export control measures on critical minerals like gallium and germanium give China the ability to restrict exports, impacting semiconductors and low-carbon energy technologies. China’s history of restricting exports of rare earth minerals during bilateral disputes further demonstrates their economic leverage.

Foreign adversaries, primarily China, are expected to persist in their efforts to target and steal sensitive US information, research, and technology. These adversaries often employ students, researchers, and commercial entities as cover to gain access to valuable information that can damage US competitiveness and be exploited for military and economic programs.