Gorka: America Reengaged in Counterterrorism Efforts
In the days following the signing of a new counterterrorism strategy by President Donald Trump, Dr. Sebastian Gorka, who serves as Trump’s deputy chief of staff and senior counterterrorism director, proclaimed that “America is back in the counterterrorism business.”
During an appearance on Breitbart News Saturday hosted by Matthew Boyle, Gorka discussed the administration’s approach to counterterrorism, emphasizing a “threat-based” strategy that he believes differs significantly from those employed by previous administrations.
“America is back in the counterterrorism business,” Gorka stated. He noted that since the president authorized the first counterterrorism operation, over 820 jihadists have been killed and 106 American hostages have been rescued. “We are focusing on three main threat groups: the cartels, which were designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the president on his first day back in command; legacy groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS; and we’re also zeroing in on violent leftists who break constitutional laws.”
He went on to clarify that the current counterterrorism efforts are grounded in reality. “We’re not targeting innocent people, like Catholics attending Latin Mass in Richmond or concerned parents at school board meetings. We’re not using the FBI against former presidents’ homes as was done before,” Gorka asserted. “Our approach is strictly based on threats, unlike the political tools used by Obama and Biden.”
When asked about steps the Trump administration is taking against the cartel threat, Gorka mentioned efforts led by figures like Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. They are purportedly identifying cartel members who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration.
“We have leaders like Sen. Mullin, Stephen Miller, and Tom Homan working to locate these cartel members who were allowed in when the border was compromised,” he explained. “We are systematically removing these individuals from the country. Our first priority is securing borders and dealing with the worst cartel members through deportation and arrests.”
Gorka highlighted the comprehensive approach the administration has taken since the president’s early days in office. “This includes utilizing all available government resources to tackle the threats posed by cartels, including formidable actions against drug shipments,” he added.
By designating specific organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, Gorka emphasized how it enables more effective legal actions. “This designation opens up numerous tools for the Justice and Treasury Departments to impose sanctions on these groups and their associates, effectively cutting off their financial resources,” he explained. “Once the funding dries up, those organizations simply can’t operate.”
