MAGA Warns of 'Jihadi Sleeper Cells' in US After Israel Strikes Iran
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Several prominent Make America Great Again (MAGA) figures, such as Laura Loomer, have posted online warnings about unverified, potential "jihadi sleeper cells" they claim could be activated in response to Israel's attacks on Iran.
There is no evidence the American public is at risk.
Newsweek has reached out to the FBI and the State Department for comment via email on Friday.
Why It Matters
Israel launched strikes across multiple locations in Iran on Thursday, announcing the start of Operation Rising Lion—an effort it said was aimed at preempting a reportedly planned Iranian attack and disrupting Iran's nuclear capabilities. Iran's nuclear program has long been a focal point of U.S. and Israeli concern, with Tehran insisting its efforts are solely for energy purposes.
"Sleeper cells" refer to covert terrorist operatives who remain inactive until activated—a concept that gained heightened attention following the September 11 attacks. In the aftermath, Islamophobia and xenophobia surged, with people from Iran and other countries in the region often stereotyped and wrongly associated with terrorism despite no evidence of wrongdoing or malicious activity.
The MAGA movement, rooted in "America First" ideology, frequently raises alarm over immigration and national security. Alarmist information on social media often circulates quickly.
A firefighter calls out his colleagues at the scene of an explosion in a residence compound in northern Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025. Inset: Conservative personality Laura Loomer outside the U.S. Capitol on June...
A firefighter calls out his colleagues at the scene of an explosion in a residence compound in northern Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025. Inset: Conservative personality Laura Loomer outside the U.S. Capitol on June 12, 2025. More
Tom Williams/AP Photo/Vahid Salemi
What To Know
Following Israeli air strikes on Iran that killed several top officials and struck a main uranium enrichment plant in Natanz, many MAGA voices have warned about potential repercussions stateside.
Loomer, a conservative personality and supporter of President Donald Trump, warned Americans about going out in public, writing on X, formerly Twitter: "Be very careful today and this weekend in American cities and tourist locations, especially if you are going to be in DC."
Her comments are in reference to the expected celebrations and protests in the capital on Saturday for President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and hundreds of "No Kings" demonstrations.
Plans for the parade called for some 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, and 50 helicopters to follow a route from Arlington, Virginia, to the National Mall, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press.
"Iran has many sleeper cells in the US," Loomer wrote. "Iranian proxies from HAMAS and Hezbollah will likely retaliate on US soil to kill Americans in acts of Islamic terror as a form of retaliation to the Israeli air strikes."
There is no public evidence to back her claims.
She concluded her post, without citing any data, by saying: "There are millions of jihadi sleeper cells in our country thanks to the Democrats open border polices."
Charlie Kirk, the conservative founder and president of Turning Point USA, added a similar sentiment in a Friday post, writing: "Keep your head on a swivel. Biden let millions of people into America. Iran might activate some sleeper cells against Americans."
He concluded his post by calling for Americans to prepare by taking up guns, writing: "Stay armed."
The U.S. intelligence committee's annual threat assessment warns that "Iran also will continue to directly threaten U.S. persons globally and remains committed to its decade-long effort to develop surrogate networks inside the United States." However, unlike the social media warnings, the assessment said: "Iran seeks to target former and current U.S. officials it believes were involved in the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-Qods Force Commander Qasem Soleimani in January 2020."
The United States designates Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
What People Are Saying
Jack Posobiec, conservative activist, on X on Thursday night: "BREAKING: FBI REPORTEDLY MOBILIZING COUNTER-TERRORISM TASK FORCES ON ALERT STATUS FOR POTENTIAL IRAN SLEEPER CELL ACTIVITY"
Robby Starbuck, a filmmaker who campaigns against DEI policies, on X on Friday: "There's a very real risk of Iranian sleeper cells attacking the US on our soil. I would avoid taking your family to large gatherings at the moment out of an abundance of caution until things settle down. Security must be increased all around."
Graham Allen, who works at the Department of Defense, on X: "STAY HOME TOMORROW!!! Iran has sleeper cells everywhere! DO NOT GO TO "no kings day" PROTEST FOR CONTENT!! DO NOT GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY!"
What Happens Next
Thousands of attendees are expected to attend the military parade in Washington, D.C.
Israel has said its strikes against Iran will continue for days. Iranian counterattacks are expected.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
38 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Senegal women's basketball team members denied US visas, prime minister says
The Senegalese women's basketball team has scrapped plans to train in the U.S. for the upcoming AfroBasket tournament in the Ivory Coast next month after several players and team officials had their visas denied, Senegal's prime minister said. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said Thursday on Facebook that the team would train in Senegal's capital, Dakar, 'in a sovereign and conducive setting.' The West African nation's federation said in a statement that the visa applications of five players and seven officials weren't approved. 'Informed of the refusal of issuing visas to several members of the Senegal women's national basketball team, I have instructed the Ministry of Sports to simply cancel the 10-day preparatory training initially planned in the United States of America,' Sonko said. The visa denials come amid a push by the Trump administration to have countries improve vetting travelers or face a ban on their citizens visiting the United States. Senegal wasn't on that list of countries and it was not immediately clear why the visas were denied. A State Department spokesperson told The Associated Press the department could not comment on individual cases because visa records are confidential under American law. The travel ban includes exemptions for the World Cup, the Olympics and any 'other major sporting event,' though it's unclear what is considered a major event. The team is coached by Otis Hughley Jr., who previously led the Nigerian women's basketball team. He was the men's coach at Alabama A&M before resigning in March. Senegal, which was going to train in the U.S. from Sunday through July 3, has finished either first or second in four of the last five AfroBasket championships over the last decade and has won 11 titles in total. The tournament determines Africa's champion, which earns entry into the FIBA World Cup next year in Germany.
39 minutes ago
Vance accuses California officials of 'endangering law enforcement' during LA visit
President Trump plans to travel to the NATO Summit next week with a couple of key goals in mind, a senior administration official told reporters Friday. At the top of Trump's priorities: securing 5% defense spending from NATO members, urging alliance members to revitalize their industrial capacities for critical minerals and weapons, and bilateral meetings to reaffirm commitment to allies. On NATO defense spending, the senior administration official said that Trump wants to "secure a historic 5% defense spending pledge from NATO allies, which will strengthen the alliance's combined military capabilities and ensure greater stability in Europe and the world," the official said. President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, June 20, Balce Ceneta/AP The senior administration official said that Trump will also "urge allies to revitalize their industrial capacities in order to create Western supply chains capable of producing the critical minerals infrastructure, weapons and other products necessary for the security of America and her allies." Lastly, the official said that Trump, "intends to hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders, which will focus on issues of shared concern and reaffirm the United States' strong ties with our allies and partners." -ABC News' Michelle Stoddart
New York Post
40 minutes ago
- New York Post
Israel and Iran exchange fresh volley of attacks after Tehran rejects US talks
JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON, June 21 – Iran and Israel exchanged fresh attacks early on Saturday, a day after Tehran said it would not negotiate over its nuclear program while under threat and Europe tried to keep peace talks alive. Shortly after 2:30 a.m. in Israel, the Israeli military warned of an incoming missile barrage from Iran, triggering air raid sirens across parts of central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Interceptions were visible in the sky over Tel Aviv, with explosions echoing across the metropolitan area as Israel's air defense systems responded. At the same time, Israel launched a new wave of attacks against missile storage and launch infrastructure sites in Iran, the Israeli military said. Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday. AP Sirens also sounded in southern Israel, said Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency service. An Israeli military official said Iran had fired five ballistic missiles and that there were no immediate indications of any missile impacts. There were no initial reports of casualties. The emergency service released images showing a fire on the roof of a multi-story residential building in central Israel. Local media reported that the fire was caused by debris from an intercepted missile. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying its longtime enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons. It neither confirms nor denies this. Its air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based human rights organization that tracks Iran. The dead include the military's top echelon and nuclear scientists. People spend the night in a public shelter as a precaution against possible Iranian missile attacks, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday. AP In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed in Iranian missile attacks, according to authorities. Reuters could not independently verify casualty figures for either side.
