Al-Qaeda Leader Calls for Assassinations of U.S. Officials

Sa’ad bin Atef al-Awlaki, the newly appointed leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), has issued a direct and chilling call to arms targeting U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, and other top administration figures. In a 34-minute video released on Sunday, al-Awlaki, already wanted by the U.S. government with a $6 million bounty on his head, explicitly incited domestic terror by urging Muslims in America to carry out lone wolf-style assassinations.
Al-Awlaki, speaking in Arabic but quickly translated and circulated on social media, called for revenge against U.S. leaders and their associates, describing them as “scum of the Earth.” He urged Muslims to target not only the officials but also their families and close associates. Additionally, al-Awlaki called for strikes against Jews, demanding no safe places for them, referencing hospitals and other public spaces.
AQAP, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., has long been a threat to global security. Al-Awlaki’s latest threats highlight the ongoing dangers posed by extremist groups to U.S. interests and citizens.

Published: 6/10/2025