Poll Shows Americans Now More Worried About Domestic Extremism Than Foreign Terror, 25 Years After 9/11

A quarter century after the September 11 attacks redirected US security concerns toward overseas threats, Americans now view domestic extremism as a greater danger than foreign terrorism, according to a new Reuters . When asked what poses the biggest threat to public safety, 33% named domestic terrorism compared to 20% who pointed to foreign terror, while 42% cited random acts of violence such as mass shootings. That marks a sharp shift from a decade earlier, when foreign terrorism ranked as the greater concern.

Ideology-Driven Attacks Seen as Coming From Within

Asked specifically about ideology-driven violence, 61% of respondents said domestic extremists represent the bigger threat, compared to 34% who pointed to foreign actors. The finding comes after a string of domestically linked attacks in recent years, including assassination attempts against President Trump and the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in 2025.

Views on Past Wars and Security Measures Remain Mixed

Nearly half of Americans said the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were not worth their costs, sentiment that helped shape Trump’s political rise. The ongoing conflict with Iran draws similar skepticism, with just 25% believing it has been worthwhile. Meanwhile, a majority still support the government’s post-9/11 airport security measures, though most oppose expanded warrantless surveillance of American citizens.