Intel chief warns of 'evolving' threats as terror groups now 'recruit their agents online'

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton reflects on the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, discusses the lessons the U.S. intelligence community has learned over the past 25 years and explains how intelligence agencies are working to detect emerging threats, strengthen national security and prevent future attacks on 'Special Report.'

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Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned about the growing threat global terror organizations pose to the United States through their ability to radicalize individuals online at home.

Speaking on "Special Report," Clayton pointed to an attempted bombing in New York City as an example of how modern extremists no longer need distant foreign training camps to launch attacks and instead can be recruited online.

Clayton responded after host Bret Baier cited United Nations figures showing that al Qaeda's global network has grown to an estimated 25,000 potential fighters — roughly 50 times its estimated size at the time of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in 2001.

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Jay Clayton, then-U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and nominee for director of national intelligence, testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee during his confirmation hearing on July 15, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)

"Those numbers may be surprising. I think it's important for America to hear those numbers, but they reflect the evolving threat environment, the threat environment from terrorists," Clayton told Baier.

"Terrorists recruit today much differently than they did 25 years ago," he said.

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Clayton said terrorists were previously often recruited and trained in camps overseas, but that process has changed in the 25 years since 9/11.

"Today, they recruit their agents online. They attempt to radicalize them online," Clayton said.

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"Just this year, we had two radicalized men from Pennsylvania travel to New York to try and detonate a bomb outside Gracie Mansion. Thanks to the NYPD, who just like in 9/11 ran to the fire, no one was killed," he added.

Emir Balat runs after throwing a homemade explosive device toward police as NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro take action during a protest outside Gracie Mansion, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's official residence, on March 7, 2026. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

Federal prosecutors described both men as supporters of ISIS who consumed radical content online.

Prosecutors allege the men traveled from Pennsylvania to Manhattan on March 7 with two explosive devices and attempted to detonate them near protesters and police officers outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

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When asked about remaining security gaps identified in a recent House Intelligence Committee report, Clayton said communication among intelligence and law enforcement agencies has improved significantly since 9/11.

"What I can tell you is that the women and men of the intelligence community, working domestically with law enforcement, working overseas with our partners, are committed every day to closing those gaps and identifying evolving threats," Clayton said.

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"There have been, and again, the American people should know this, there have been many threats on our soil that have been thwarted," he added.

Madison Colombo is a writer for Fox News Digital’s Flash, Media, and Culture team, covering daily breaking news and trending topics with an award-winning background in broadcast and digital journalism.