Americans fear domestic extremists more than foreign terror attacks 25 years after 9/11

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that Americans now fear domestic extremists more than foreign terrorist attacks, marking a major shift in public perception a quarter-century after 9/11. In 2001 and for years after, foreign terror dominated public concern. The poll shows that fear has reversed: domestic extremism now ranks higher as a threat in American minds.

This reflects a real change in how Americans experience threat. The 9/11 attacks created a generation focused on foreign actors and border security. Today's Americans have watched years of domestic political violence, militia activity, and extremism tied to domestic political movements. The shift in public perception isn't irrational—it's based on what Americans have actually witnessed. The polling result is important because public fear shapes policy priorities and political pressure. If domestic extremism is now the top security concern for most Americans, that changes what politicians have to address.