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Authorities in Washington DC and other major cities across the country are ramping up security over concerns that Iranian “sleeper cells” or lone wolves could retaliate on US soil over the US-Israeli strikes in Iran.

Some shit you should know before you read: Under both Republican and Democrat presidents, the US intel community has expressed concern about the presence of foreign-backed groups operating within the country. A few years back, the FBI revealed that China had established covert “police stations” in major US cities, including New York, allegedly to monitor, harass, and suppress Chinese dissidents living abroad. In addition to state actors, there is also significant concern surrounding terrorist organizations having “sleeper cells” within the country. Back when Biden was in office, FBI Director Christopher Wray raised concerns about the number of “gotaways” (migrants who cross the US border illegally and evade capture). In fiscal year 2023, CBP recorded more than 600,000 gotaways, leading officials to warn that such gaps in border enforcement could be exploited by foreign adversaries or terrorists seeking to send bad actors into the US.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, police in Washington DC are beefing up their presence across the nation’s capital as federal agencies move into a heightened security posture. The Metropolitan Police Department said it is actively coordinating with local, state, and federal partners to safeguard both civilians and government officials. Around the US Capitol, there has been a visible increase in officers, and security checkpoints have expanded as authorities aim to deter any potential threats.

The US Secret Service has also enhanced protective measures for President Trump, Vice President Vance, their families, and other individuals under protection. While officials have not detailed specific tactics for operational security reasons, they did acknowledge that the public may notice a greater federal and law enforcement presence around protected sites, including the White House and any location where protectees are present.

Beyond Washington DC, other major cities are taking similar precautions. New York City has increased patrols at diplomatic, cultural, and religious sites, while Los Angeles officials report a stepped-up police presence near places of worship and other sensitive community locations. Transit police in the DC region have also deployed additional officers across stations and transportation hubs.

In Texas, state leaders have gone further by mobilizing the Texas National Guard and intensifying patrols around critical infrastructure. Under what state officials are calling “Operation Fury Shield,” additional security resources are being directed to energy facilities, ports, and border regions, alongside enhanced surveillance and cybersecurity measures.

This all comes as FBI Director Kash Patel has acknowledged that federal counterterrorism and intelligence teams have been placed on high alert following US strikes on Iran. In a statement, Patel said he instructed units nationwide to “mobilize all assisting security assets needed.”