Today’s Terrorism Threats: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (with Rebecca Weiner)

In this episode of Stay Tuned, Preet Bharara speaks with Rebecca Weiner, Deputy Commissioner of Counterterrorism and Intelligence at the New York City Police Department, about the evolving and increasingly complex terrorism threat landscape. Weiner describes a 'everything, everywhere, all at once' threat environment shaped by a convergence of conventional terrorism, domestic polarization, grievance-fueled violence, and the rise of nihilistic violent extremism—particularly targeting youth through online grooming and radicalization. She explains how the NYPD operates with a vast, multi-agency intelligence apparatus, including overseas operatives, bomb squads, counter-drone units, and a robust network of surveillance and human intelligence, all while navigating strict legal constraints under the HANSHU consent decree. Despite the challenges of predicting lone-actor attacks and the speed at which young individuals mobilize online, Weiner emphasizes the critical role of human judgment, interagency coordination, and proactive deterrence in preventing violence before it occurs. The conversation also touches on the blurred lines between terrorism and ordinary crime, especially in cases like the assassination of Brian Thompson, which, while not conventional terrorism, instilled widespread fear and had terroristic impact. Weiner addresses the balance between security and civil liberties, affirming that the NYPD operates within strong legal guardrails, including civilian oversight. She discusses emerging threats such as 'terrorism as a service'—where individuals are hired online to carry out sabotage—and the growing influence of online communities that glorify violence. The episode concludes with reflections on how national events, including controversial law enforcement actions elsewhere, reverberate in New York, underscoring the interconnected nature of modern security challenges.