Major Cities Scuttle New Year’s Plans Amid Increased Islamist Terror Threats

Just one week after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned of the major threat posed by Islamists, major cities across the United States — and around the world — have altered and even canceled New Year’s celebrations due to security concerns.

In Chicago, state and local officials released a joint threat assessment just before Christmas, and warned that crowded celebrations — such as the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks at Navy Pier — could be “attractive targets” for either domestic or foreign terrorists. They plan to go ahead with the events as planned, but will be increasing security in the area — and will be actively monitoring for potential attacks with drones or by using vehicles to ram crowds.

In Los Angeles, just over a week earlier, the FBI foiled a series of planned New Year’s attacks by the anti-government extremist group Turtle Island Liberation Front. Those attacks were supposed to target local businesses — and the group also planned to target Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the coming weeks. Members of the group had already begun the process of building and testing pipe bombs to be used in the holiday attacks when they were caught.

Audrey Carroll, one of those indicted in the Southern California case, had sent messages to other members saying things like, “I identify as a terrorist,” and, “I am a Hamas fangirl.”

Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships

A threat assessment for the massive New Year’s Eve celebration held in Times Square, New York City, also raised red flags as officials said the largest concerns were potential “lone wolf” actors and small, organized groups. New York City is a symbolically “aspirational target” for would-be terrorists, the assessment stated, also noting the potential for “vehicle ramming attacks.”

“Lone offenders remain a particular concern due to their frequent ability to avoid detection until operational — al-Qa’ida and ISIS, and their supporters, continue to demonstrate an interest in targeting special events in the Homeland, as well as US officials and other perceived enemies,” the assessment read.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said that he would still feel comfortable allowing celebrations to go on if he were in charge, touting the capabilities of the New York Police Department: “If it were me in New York, I would go ahead, but that’s because I know I have the greatest police department in the world.”

“If it were me in New York, I would go ahead, but that’s because I know I have the greatest police department in the world.”

— Former NYC Mayor @RudyGiuliani said New York City can still hold a safe New Year’s Eve celebration despite heightened terror threats@RitaCosby pic.twitter.com/AD7900BsQ3

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) December 27, 2025

The threat assessments come as multiple celebrations and holiday events — from Christmas markets to New Year’s Eve concerts — have been noticeably changed or canceled altogether across Europe amid similar threats of Islamist attacks.

In Salzburg, Austria, the famous Christmas market has had a security overhaul — including security guards and dozens of cameras — and Paris has canceled the annual New Year’s Eve celebration on the Champs- Élysées.

It also comes as Gabbard recently laid out the threat posed — in the United States and around the world — by Islamist ideology.

“It is a political ideology that seeks to create a global caliphate that governs us here in America,” she said, adding, “And if you fail to comply, if you fail to adhere to this ideology, if you dare to exercise your God-given right to free speech, censorship is not what we face. They will use violence or any means that they deem as necessary to silence us.”