Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are stepping up security for New Year's events after recent attacks both abroad and at home. A joint FBI-DHS bulletin says there is no specific credible threat but warns of persistent risks from lone actors and small groups motivated by varied ideologies. Cities such as New York and Las Vegas are using layered security — from thousands of officers to aerial surveillance and National Guard support — while intelligence teams monitor social media and international developments. Officials urge public vigilance and reporting of suspicious activity.
Law Enforcement Tightens New Year Security Nationwide After Recent Attacks
Heavily armed New York Police Department officers patrol as people wait in line to enter Times Square ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations on Dec. 31, 2025. / Credit: Adam Gray / Getty Images
Washington — As cities and towns across the United States prepare for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day gatherings, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are intensifying security measures amid heightened concerns following recent attacks at home and abroad.
A joint bulletin from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, reviewed by CBS News, warns that lone actors and small groups with diverse ideological motivations represent the primary threat to New Year's events. The routine pre-event assessment states there is no specific, credible threat tied to this holiday, but it highlights an ongoing danger from people "seeking to commit acts of violence motivated by a broad range of racial, ethnic, political, religious, anti-government, anti-immigration, societal or ideological beliefs and grievances."
High-risk Venues and Symbolic Dates
Experts say New Year's Eve is a particularly attractive target for violent actors because large, symbolic crowds gather in predictable locations. Colin P. Clarke, executive director of The Soufan Center, called New Year's Eve the "Super Bowl of counterterrorism" and "the holy grail for a terrorist," describing such events as "soft targets" that draw international attention.
"It's a soft target, highly symbolic with large crowds gathered," Clarke said. "New Year's is a symbolic day and it's a symbol of the West, and they're attacking the decadence of the West."
City-Level Preparations
In New York City, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the department has been planning Times Square security since last year's festivities and reiterated there are "no known specific credible threats." She warned the public to expect "thousands" of officers in the area and said intelligence teams will monitor social media and other channels for potential warnings. Times Square expects more than a million visitors, making the operation one of the largest and most complex safety efforts anywhere in the world.
Tisch described a layered security approach that includes uniformed and plainclothes officers, perimeter controls, canine units, and aerial monitoring using helicopters and drones. She also noted the NYPD's international intelligence presence — roughly a dozen detectives stationed overseas — which helps the department adapt plans based on real-time global developments.
In Las Vegas, the Metropolitan Police Department said the National Guard will again assist with holiday security, a practice used in previous years to bolster public safety for large gatherings on the Strip and downtown.
Recent Incidents and Resource Concerns
Recent incidents have reinforced the need for vigilance. Earlier this month, the FBI announced it had disrupted an alleged New Year's Eve bombing plot in Southern California; four people have been charged in the case. Authorities identified the suspects as members of a group described in public filings as the Turtle Island Liberation Front.
One year after a deadly attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, hundreds of National Guard troops have been deployed to the city at the request of state officials. Prosecutors say that on Jan. 1, 2025, Shamsud-Din Jabba rammed a pickup truck into crowds on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring many others. The FBI has said the attacker, a U.S. Army veteran, had been radicalized by ISIS.
Clarke and other experts also warned that shifting law enforcement resources toward immigration and border missions could strain counterterrorism capabilities. "The bench is incredibly thin when it comes to counterterrorism," Clarke said, adding that resource constraints could leave gaps in preparedness.
Public Guidance
Authorities urge the public to remain alert, report suspicious behavior or items to local law enforcement, and follow official guidance at large events. While agencies stress there is no specific, credible threat for this holiday, they emphasize preparedness, coordination and layered security to reduce risk and keep celebrants safe.
