Survey finds domestic terrorism viewed as larger threat than foreign terrorism

The short version

• A Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 33 percent of respondents view domestic terrorism as the primary threat to safety, compared to 20 percent who selected foreign terrorism.[The Hill]
• Random violent acts, such as mass shootings, were identified by 42 percent of participants as the largest overall threat.[The Hill]
• When asked specifically about extremist ideologies, 61 percent indicated homegrown extremism presents a greater danger than foreign ideologies.[The Hill]
• The administration of President Trump has placed its primary counterterrorism focus on left-leaning political violence.[The Hill]

Key facts

• In a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 33 percent of participants considered domestic terrorism the primary threat to average American safety, versus 20 percent for foreign terrorism.[The Hill]
• Random acts of violence, including mass shootings, were cited by 42 percent of respondents as the most significant safety threat.[The Hill]
• Sixty-one percent of respondents viewed homegrown extremism as a greater risk than foreign extremist ideologies, which were selected by 34 percent.[The Hill]
• The survey sampled 1,167 individuals from August 28 to 31 and had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.[The Hill]
• The Trump administration views left-leaning political violence as the country's foremost terrorist threat.[The Hill]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• More see domestic terrorism as bigger threat than foreign terrorism: SurveyThe Hill