US NCTC faces criticism for referring to Al Qaeda as 'violent extremists' in threat report

Critics note the absence of the term “Islamic terrorism” is reminiscent of terminology used during the Obama administration

The U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) has come under sharp criticism after its latest threat assessment report referred to Al Qaeda as “violent extremists” rather than explicitly labeling the group an “Islamic terrorist organization.”

The five-page report, released this week, outlines the continuing threat of potential Al Qaeda attacks on American soil but avoids using the term “Islamic terrorism.” The omission has triggered concern among some commentators, who argue that failing to identify the group’s ideological motivation undermines national security.

The NCTC, part of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), is led by Director Joe Kent, appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate. Kent, who also serves as the principal counterterrorism advisor to the President, has a personal history with extremist violence: his wife, Shannon Kent, was killed in 2019 in a suicide bombing by ISIS in Syria.

Noted journalist Laura Loomer, in a post on the social media platform X, shared the details of the report.

EXCLUSIVE:

🚨 US National Counter Terrorism Center Fails to Label Al Qaeda as an “ISLAMIC TERRORIST ORGANIZATION” in official threat report, and instead refers to the group as “Violent Extremists” 🚨

As I reported last night, the NCTC has just confirmed the pressing threat of… https://t.co/Wgjr2Tqic9 pic.twitter.com/GbnecCA4Nf

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 20, 2025

Critics note the absence of the term “Islamic terrorism” is reminiscent of terminology used during theObama administration, which favoured broader descriptors such as “violent extremism.” They argue that such framing downplays the religious ideology driving groups like Al Qaeda, which was founded by Osama bin Laden and claimed responsibility for the September 11, 2001 attacks.