Americans Now More Worried About Domestic Extremists Than Foreign Ones: Poll

Americans now fear domestic extremists more than they do the possibility of foreign terror groups, according to a new survey.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that, as the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the share of Americans who are concerned about the possibility of domestic terrorism outnumber those fearing an attack from a foreign group.

The poll found that 33 percent picked "domestic terrorism" as the country's biggest threat, while 20 percent selected foreign terror. Random acts of violence, such as mass shootings, were at the top, with 42 percent choosing it.

There was a significant shift in perceived threats in the last decade. In 2013, Reuters found that 28 percent viewed foreign terror as the top threat to 21 percent who were concerned about domestic terror. Random violence still was number 1, with 51 percent selecting it.

The poll's findings come days before the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Events are planned around the country to remember the attack. In New York City, the families of victims will gather for a ceremony on the 9/11 Memorial plaza to read aloud the names of the 2,983 men, women, and children killed in the attacks.

This week also marks the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative commentator and political activist, was shot and killed Sept. 10 last year while speaking at Utah Valley University. Tyler James Robinson, 22, has been charged in the case and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Kirk's assassination was the latest example of high-profile political violence in the U.S. In July 2024, President Trump survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Two people were killed in the attack, including the attempted assassin, Thomas Crooks, who was shot by the Secret Service.

In September 2024, another assassination attempt against Trump was foiled by the Secret Service at Trump's West Palm beach golf course. This year, Cole Allen allegedly tried to shoot his way into the White House Correspondent's dinner where Trump and other administration officials were in attendance, but was apprehended before he could enter.

In June 2025, Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman was assassinated at her home by Vance Boelter, 58. Hortman's husband was also killed in the attack.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll also found that respondents were increasingly worried about politically motivated domestic threats, with 61 percent of respondents choosing it compared to only 34 percent choosing ideological-driven foreign attacks.