In a concerning development, Sa'ad bin Atef al-Awlaki, the leader of al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), released a video on Sunday titled "Inciting the Believers," which calls for the assassination of several U.S. figures including former President Donald Trump. The 34-minute propaganda video specifically targets Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and entrepreneur Elon Musk, urging followers to also go after their families and associates.
The call to violence stems from grievances over U.S. support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Al-Awlaki accuses Israel and its allies of committing atrocities against Palestinians, stating, "Do not leave a single safe place for Jews — just as they have not left any homes, shelters, or respite for the Palestinians." He further condemns the bombing of hospitals and civilian areas, calling for revenge against those he deems responsible for supporting Israel.
National security sources have confirmed the video's authenticity, raising alarm among U.S. intelligence agencies who are now reviewing the footage and assessing the credibility of the threats. The Yemen-based AQAP, despite facing years of American counterterrorism efforts, continues to operate out of strongholds in Yemen and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. Al-Awlaki, who became the group's leader in March 2024, already has a $6 million bounty on his head through the Rewards for Justice program due to his previous calls for violence against the U.S.
Federal law enforcement officials are expected to work closely with national security agencies to develop protective measures and counter-extremism strategies in response to this latest threat. Al-Awlaki's message underscores the group's ongoing strategy to use online platforms to incite radicalized individuals to commit lone-wolf attacks.
AQAP's history of attempted attacks on U.S. interests underscores the potential danger of this new threat. Officials have not yet commented on whether additional security measures will be taken to protect the individuals named in the video. The latest call for violence is a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by groups like AQAP and the continued need for vigilance in combating terrorism and extremist propaganda.