WASHINGTON — September 17, 2026 — Attorney General Todd Blanche said federal authorities have made thousands of arrests connected to foreign terrorist organizations since President Donald Trump returned to office, citing what he described as FBI data showing a substantial increase compared with the previous administration.
The White House highlighted Blanche’s remarks in a September 17 video titled “AG Todd Blanche: A promise made, promise kept in making America safe again.”
Official White House video:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/ag-todd-blanche-a-promise-made-promise-kept-in-making-america-safe-again-%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%B8/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkvA34F8_FY
Key Facts
According to Blanche:
- federal authorities made 4,260 arrests related to foreign terrorist organizations, or FTOs, after Trump returned to office;
- 1,039 individuals were prevented from carrying out alleged terrorist attacks;
- the administration’s total represented a 38% increase compared with the prior administration.
Blanche presented those numbers while discussing the Department of Justice’s counterterrorism work.
The White House subsequently published a shortened video highlighting the remarks.
Blanche Cites FBI Data
During his remarks, Blanche said:
“Since President Trump returned to office, FBI data shows 4,260 arrests related to FTOs.”
He also said those cases included 1,039 people allegedly prevented from carrying out terrorist attacks and described the total as a 38% increase over the previous administration.
The figures are significant, but they require an important distinction.
Midtown Tribune found the figures in Blanche’s official remarks and the White House presentation of those remarks. However, during our review we did not locate a separate publicly available FBI statistical report or dataset showing the same 4,260 / 1,039 totals and methodology.
Accordingly, the figures in this report are attributed to Attorney General Blanche unless and until the FBI publishes the underlying dataset or methodology.
What Is an FTO?
An FTO is a Foreign Terrorist Organization formally designated by the U.S. government under federal law.
Such designations can carry major legal consequences, including criminal prohibitions against knowingly providing material support or resources to designated organizations.
Federal terrorism prosecutions involving FTOs can include allegations involving financing, recruitment, weapons, operational assistance or planned attacks.
Recent DOJ Terrorism Cases
Official Justice Department records provide examples of terrorism-related cases brought during 2026.
Alleged ISIS Plot Against New York State Capitol
On August 20, 2026, federal prosecutors charged an Albany woman with Attempting to Provide material support to ISIS.
According to the Justice Department, the defendant allegedly discussed bombing the New York State Capitol and killing public officials.
The charge remains an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Official DOJ source:
Alleged Kata’ib Hizballah Operative
In May 2026, the Justice Department announced the arrest of an Iraqi national described by prosecutors as a senior member of Kata’ib Hizballah, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.
Federal prosecutors alleged that the defendant participated in nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks involving targets in Europe and the United States.
Official DOJ source:
Hamas Material-Support Cases
Federal prosecutors have also brought several cases involving alleged support for Hamas.
In June, prosecutors charged a San Diego resident with terrorism, sanctions-evasion, wire-fraud, money-laundering and false-statement offenses in connection with alleged fundraising for Hamas.
Official DOJ source:
In July, federal prosecutors announced the arrest of a Turkey-based individual accused of conspiring to provide material support to Hamas through what prosecutors described as a purported charitable organization.
Official DOJ source:
Alleged Russian Intelligence Network
On September 15, the Justice Department unsealed charges against five people accused of working for Russian intelligence services.
Prosecutors alleged that the network sought to finance terrorism, conduct surveillance and arrange targeted killings, including activity connected to the United States.
The defendants were reported to remain at large at the time the charges were announced.
Official DOJ source:
DOJ National Security Division
The Department of Justice National Security Division coordinates federal investigations and prosecutions involving terrorism, espionage, foreign interference and other national-security offenses.
Its public case listings show continuing terrorism-related prosecutions in 2026, including ISIS-related cases and cases involving alleged foreign intelligence operations.
Official DOJ National Security Division:
What the Statistics Do — and Do Not — Establish
Blanche’s numbers describe arrests and individuals allegedly prevented from conducting attacks, not criminal convictions.
An arrest or criminal charge does not establish guilt.
Federal defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
There is also an important methodological question surrounding the comparison between administrations.
To independently evaluate the claimed 38% increase, the public would need to know:
- the exact dates used for each administration;
- what qualifies as an “FTO-related arrest”;
- whether immigration-related arrests involving designated groups are included;
- whether one person may be counted under multiple investigations;
- the definition of an individual “prevented from carrying out” an attack;
- and whether the comparison covers equal periods of time.
Those details are not provided in the 42-second White House video.
Blanche’s Full September 15 Briefing
The terrorism remarks highlighted in the September 17 video came from a longer White House media briefing by Attorney General Blanche on September 15.
The White House published the full 33-minute, 45-second briefing.
Official White House video:
The full briefing covers additional Justice Department subjects beyond terrorism.
What Is Confirmed
The White House confirms that Attorney General Todd Blanche made the terrorism-related statements and published both the full September 15 briefing and the shortened September 17 video.
DOJ public records independently confirm multiple terrorism-related arrests and prosecutions during 2026 involving alleged ISIS, Hamas, Kata’ib Hizballah and foreign-intelligence-linked activity.
What Midtown Tribune has not independently verified from a separate FBI public dataset is the aggregate claim of:
- 4,260 FTO-related arrests;
- 1,039 people allegedly prevented from conducting attacks;
- and a 38% administration-to-administration increase.
Those numbers are therefore attributed directly to Attorney General Blanche.
Official Sources & Documents
The White House — AG Todd Blanche: A Promise Made, Promise Kept in Making America Safe Again
Official September 17, 2026 video.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/ag-todd-blanche-a-promise-made-promise-kept-in-making-america-safe-again-%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%B8/
The White House — Attorney General Todd Blanche Briefs Members of the Media, September 15, 2026
Full official briefing.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/attorney-general-of-the-united-states-todd-blanche-briefs-members-of-the-media-sep-15-2026/
U.S. Department of Justice — National Security Division
Official national-security and counterterrorism case information.
https://www.justice.gov/nsd
DOJ — Albany Woman Charged in Alleged ISIS-Inspired New York State Capitol Plot
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/albany-new-york-woman-charged-isis-inspired-terror-plot-targeting-new-york-state-capitol
DOJ — Iraqi National Charged in Iranian-Backed Terrorism Case
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/iraqi-national-arrested-and-charged-providing-material-support-iranian-backed-terrorist
DOJ — San Diego Resident Charged in Alleged Hamas Support Case
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/san-diego-resident-charged-conspiring-provide-material-support-hamas-0
DOJ — Turkey-Based Individual Charged in Alleged Hamas Support Case
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/turkey-based-global-director-sham-charity-arrested-and-charged-conspiring-provide
DOJ — Russian Intelligence Network Charged With Terrorism Financing and Murder-for-Hire Conspiracy
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/members-russian-intelligence-services-network-charged-conspiring-finance-terrorism-and
Source Note
This report distinguishes between aggregate enforcement statistics stated by Attorney General Todd Blanche and individual cases independently documented in public Justice Department records.
Criminal charges are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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