Threats of potential terrorism over the holiday season must be taken seriously, Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Marine veteran and member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said Monday.
"As we squeeze ISIS in Iraq and Syria, we're going to see it pop up in other places," the Wisconsin Republican told Fox News' "Fox and Friends" program. "We had an attack in Egypt last week. ISIS has an affiliate there."
ISIS marks the "largest mobilization of foreign fighters" in history, and as they return to their home countries in western Europe, the violence will continue to climb, Gallagher said.
"I chair a task force as part of the Homeland Security Committee, and we have looked at all the pathways through which terrorists can get into this county," he said. "The most difficult thing to confront is the reality that terrorists cross our borders thousands of times every day."
New York has been a particular target, and Gallagher said the city's police department and affiliate agencies deserve a great deal of credit for developing communications.
There is always room for improvement, though, and the most important thing to do for now is "stay on offense" when it comes to the Middle East, he added.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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