The United States is facing a troubling escalation in targeted violence. From sniper attacks and political assassinations to assaults on federal buildings and faith-based institutions, adversaries are increasingly adopting paramilitary tactics that blur the line between criminality and insurgency. For law enforcement, this represents a complex and evolving threat environment that demands rapid adaptation, innovative technology and rigorous training.
This is not the first time America has confronted political violence. From the assassinations of the 1960s to the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995, extremist movements have repeatedly tested the nation’s resilience. What makes today’s climate different is the convergence of polarized politics, social media amplification, and the widespread accessibility of firearms and tactical training. Threats that once required months of planning can now germinate, spread and inspire action in days or even hours. From flash to bang, the window for intervention is shrinking.
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The assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in September 2025 and the recent sniper attack on an ICE facility in Dallas underscore this new reality. Political violence, once largely symbolic, is now calculated, precise and lethal. Attacks on federal agents and facilities, often fueled not only by media pundits but also by political leaders on social platforms, illustrate how quickly threats can evolve. Officers confront both the physical dangers of attack and the digital chatter that often precedes them. A recent threat analysis from Narravance warned that a wave of online anti-ICE rhetoric, including targeted doxxing, misinformation and social media-based incitement, is escalating into real-world violence. The report underscores why real-time monitoring of online ecosystems is no longer optional — it is mission critical.
Complicating matters, calls for police demilitarization continue and have grown louder in some communities. While rooted in legitimate concerns about civil liberties and community trust, these efforts risk leaving officers ill-prepared for heavily armed, paramilitary-style assaults. The tension between maintaining public safety and safeguarding freedoms has never been more pronounced.
Threats that once required months of planning can now germinate, spread and inspire action in days or even hours.
Technology and drones as force multipliers
Technology offers a critical way to bridge this gap, and drones are transforming how police respond to high-risk incidents.
Forward-thinking organizations, such as the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) — which represents the majority of U.S. university police departments — are collaborating with drone experts to develop a national program focused on training and best practices.
Programs like Drone as First Responder (DFR) allow departments to assess threats instantly, gather real-time intelligence and deploy personnel more safely. From urban ambushes to active shooter situations, drones provide eyes in the sky where human presence may be limited or too dangerous. Yet their effectiveness depends on selecting proven systems and ensuring officers are thoroughly trained to use them.
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Procurement delays cost time, money and lives
Procurement remains a persistent challenge. Like the U.S. military, law enforcement often waits months or even years for approval of tools that could save lives immediately. By the time new systems are deployed, frontline officers may already have paid the ultimate price. The cost of delay is measured not just in dollars but in lives, yet scarce resources must also not be squandered on untested or ineffective tools. Precision, urgency and accountability must guide every procurement decision.
Training, intelligence and collaboration remain vital
Technology alone cannot solve the problem. Paramilitary tactics, sniper methodologies and coordinated assaults demand scenario-based training, robust cross-agency collaboration and proactive intelligence sharing. Law enforcement leaders must cultivate a culture where best practices flow across jurisdictions and where local, state and federal agencies share information seamlessly and in real time.
The public safety landscape is shifting rapidly, and law enforcement must evolve alongside it. Responding after the fact is no longer sufficient; today’s threats demand anticipation, innovation and collaboration. Many Americans may not fully appreciate how essential civilian police are not only to maintaining peace and order but also to sustaining the democratic values that underpin society. Police, in all their manifestations, are a vital thread holding democracy together, and their role is more critical now than at any point in modern U.S. history.
We are at a crossroads. The next 18 months could be among the most challenging in recent memory, as political extremism rises, attacks on communities of faith increase and foreign adversaries seek to exploit divisions within the nation. We are facing a convergence of complex threats. Navigating this environment will require informed leadership, real-time intelligence sharing and the careful adoption of technologies that genuinely enhance officer safety and effectiveness. By approaching these challenges thoughtfully and collectively, law enforcement can continue to protect officers, safeguard communities and uphold the democratic foundations of the United States.
Tactical takeaway
Strong event security comes from anticipating threats, assigning clear roles and rehearsing responses before the crowd arrives.
How is your agency adapting training, intelligence sharing or technology use to keep pace with faster-moving extremist threats? Share below.
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