Terrorism & Homeland Security

New research establishes the extent to which violent Islamic jihadists infiltrated over land borders as a new method to clandestinely reach targets throughout Europe, a first in contemporary terrorism history. This series for Townhall explores the implications for U.S. border security. Read Part I of this series, "A New Terror Travel Tactic is Born," here.  By Todd Bensman as … [Read more...] about Why Islamic Terrorists Have Not Attacked Through the Southern Border but the Risk is Still High, Part II

New research establishes proof of concept for a long-theorized terrorism threat to physical land borders: that violent Islamic jihadists could infiltrate them while posing as migrants to clandestinely reach targets in a new and unexpected way. In Europe, the new study shows, many dozens of jihadists finally did just that for the first time in contemporary terrorism history, conducting gruesome … [Read more...] about What the Rise of Terrorist Border Infiltration in Europe Means for America, Part I: A New Terror Travel Tactic is Born

Prosecutors, who’d asked for 20 years, were so outraged by the "extreme outlier" 18-month sentence of ISIS acolyte Asher Khan that they appealed to the U.S. 5th Court of Appeals. Now, with freedom looking him in the eye at just two months left on his federal prison sentence, Khan’s luck may have run out. Or has it? By Todd Bensman as originally published by TownHall on October 2, … [Read more...] about Appellate Court Agrees Terrorist’s Sentence Was Lenient; Kicks Back Nationally Consequential Case

It is all but official: Panama's promised investigation was never launched into Hezbollah and Iranian involvement in the mid-air bombing of a 1994 flight that killed 12 Panamanian Jewish business leaders. Months of inquest by me and the Uruguayan-Israeli journalist Jana Beris found an apparent determination in official Panamanian or Israeli circles not to speak of the promise, either on or off the … [Read more...] about Why Panama Must Investigate the Iran-Hezbollah Bombing of Alas Chiricanas Flight 901

This past March, Bureau of Prisons Inmate No. 9627173 – Plano, Texas wife and mother Sumaiya Ali – asked a federal judge for early release  from her terrorism sentence under the First Step Act. It is the first such case that I know of, but if this has occurred once, more are likely in a pipeline emptying out potential terror recidivists into the nation. This law was hastily passed and needs to be … [Read more...] about First Known Convicted Terrorist Asked For ‘First Step Act’ Early Prison Release. Have More Followed?

After the El Paso massacre, a narrative is emerging that America has fought Islamic extremism too hard, leaving white supremacists to flower. The Democrat narrative that President Trump suppressed national investigative efforts that would hurt his friends and supporters in the white supremacy movement is flat-out false. By Todd Bensman as originally published August 6, 2019 in The … [Read more...] about After the El Paso massacre: Did America fight Islamic extremism too hard?

A consequential legal battle is underway with potential to decide whether tough post-9/11 sentencing laws will remain in place. Those who join and aid jihadist terror groups like ISIS, and (believe it or not) their supporters, hope against hope for as little consequence as possible when terrorists get caught. Homeland security leaders, federal prosecutors, and perhaps most Members of Congress … [Read more...] about Tough Post-9/11 Terrorism Sentencing Laws Under Assault

I testified before the House Oversight and Reform Committee about my experience combating domestic extremism while working for the Texas Department of Public Safety. The testimony took place Tuesday, June 4, 2019 in the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. The topic of testimony for two panels (mine was the second) was "White Supremacy, Adequacy of the Federal … [Read more...] about Bensman Testifies before Congress on Law Enforcement’s Fight Against White Supremacy and Domestic Terrorism

Convicted terrorist John Walker Lindh was released from prison a week ago. What's the government doing to make sure former terrorists don't reoffend? Answer: pretty much nothing. America is at the mercy of released former (or formerly incarcerated, at least) terrorists. By Todd Bensman as originally published in The Federalist on May 30, 2019 The May 23 release from federal prison of John … [Read more...] about How to Make Sure Many Other Terrorists Like John Walker Lindh Pose No Threat After Release