The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has just released its Homeland Threat Assessment 2025, (HTA) providing a comprehensive overview of the most pressing threats facing the United States. This annual report serves as a tool for the Biden Administration and its partners in preparing for and responding to the ever-evolving threat landscape. By sharing threat information with the public, they hope to enable a more informed response to security challenges. 

The 2025 HTA identifies several key assessments: 

• Public Safety and Security: Lethal threats in the Homeland, including violent extremist actors, illegal drugs, foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), and nation-state efforts to malignly influence US audiences, as well as adversarial states seeking to disrupt the 2024 election cycle, are the primary national security threats to our communities this year. Page 10 of the document features more information on threats to the upcoming election cycle.
• Border and Immigration Security: This section examines threats posed by transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), terrorists, and other threat actors working to disrupt the border and immigration system. DHS expects new technologies to be used to further corrupt US partner nations’ security forces and rule of law.
• Critical Infrastructure Security: DHS is preparing for adversaries, both domestic and foreign, to target U.S. critical infrastructure, especially cyber threats and lifeline sectors, such as telecommunication systems, transportation, and water infrastructure. They aim to disrupt services, gain network access, and steal sensitive information. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to watch for vulnerabilities in US networks in the event of a conflict with the US. Furthermore, the advancement of AI technology, particularly generative AI, has the potential for corrupt use by threat actors, including the manipulation of media using deepfake technology for malign influence campaigns.
• Economic Security: The manipulation and exploitation of the US’ economy and commercial activities for the growth of economic, military, and political power are discussed in this section. The PRC are the US’ primary threat to supply chains and overall economic security due to the competitive and aggressive tactics used to gain knowledge of US intellectual property, technology, and trade secrets. To top it all off, climate-related events and public health crises continue to threaten the solidity of the US economy.

Overall, the 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment serves as a critical resource for understanding and addressing these multifaceted security challenges, guiding the nation’s efforts to safeguard its homeland. 

For more information, check out HSDL’s Focus topics on Border Security, Cyber Infrastructure Protection, Disinformation, Domestic Terrorism in the US, Election Security, Fentanyl and Opioids, and Immigration.