DHS May Shut Down During Mall of America Terrorist Threat

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson warned citizens of a potential attack against the Mall of America this week. He cautioned anyone considering visiting the mall to exercise vigiliance, be aware of their surroundings, and report anything that seems suspicious. In a televised interview, Johnson attempted to reassure Americans by explaining that extra security precautions would be in effect until the threat had ended.

The terrorist threat was revealed in a video from the middle east, which shows imagery of past terrorist attacks including the 2013 attack on Nairobi’s Westgate Mall. At the conclusion of the footage a man wearing a mask appears and asks viewers to consider that if that attack was carried out by a small group of jihadis, what could be done to the Mall of America or another large western shopping center with their full force?

Due to the immediate risk of a DHS shutdown if congress can’t come to an agreement, some have suggested that the White House may be using scare tactics to force the funding bill through. The president has vehemently denied that claim.

In the hopes of passing the DHS funding quickly and avoiding a shutdown, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will try separating the bill pertaining to DHS funding from the GOP bill to stop Obama’s executive-ordered amnesty.