Al-Qaeda Leader Calls on Muslims in America to Launch Terror Attacks and Assassinate President Trump and His Cabinet

| Published June 10, 2025

In early June 2025, Sa’ad bin Ateeq al‑Awlaki, newly appointed leader of Al‑Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), released a high-impact propaganda video titled “Inciting the Believers.” In it, he issued chilling directives for American Muslims to target not only U.S. political figures but also Jewish communities and those perceived as supporting Israel.

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Who Is Sa’ad bin Ateeq al‑Awlaki?

• Role: Leader of AQAP since March 2024, succeeding previous command © 2025.

• Notable fact: The U.S. State Department has placed a $6 million bounty on him for incitement and planning of attacks

Sa’ad bin Atef al-Awlaki issued the disturbing call in a propaganda video released on Sunday.Memri TV

The Al-Qaeda leader’s call for Muslims in America to launch terror attacks and assassinate figures like President Trump and his cabinet members appears to be driven by several strategic and ideological motivations:

1. Retaliation Narrative Over Gaza Conflict

The leader frames his message as vengeance for the suffering of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza. He accuses the U.S. and its leaders of enabling Israeli actions, and uses graphic references to bombed hospitals and displaced civilians to stir emotional anger and justify violent retaliation.

2. Shift Toward Decentralized “Lone-Wolf” Attacks

By directly appealing to individuals already in the U.S., the group avoids the need for complex international plots. This strategy reflects a broader shift in jihadist tactics—encouraging small-scale, independent attackers who are harder for intelligence agencies to detect.

3. Targeting High-Profile Symbolism

Figures like Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, Elon Musk, and Pete Hegseth represent not only political power but also ideological and cultural influence in the West. Naming them is designed to inspire maximum psychological and political impact—even if no attack occurs.

4. Reasserting Al-Qaeda’s Relevance

With global attention often focused on other terror groups or domestic conflicts, this video may be an effort by Al-Qaeda—under its new leadership—to regain visibility and influence among extremist sympathizers, especially after years of decline

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The Video’s Core Message

• Targeted individuals:

  • “Infidel Americans” including former President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Senator Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Elon Musk

  • He urged “strikes” on Jews, stating, “Do not leave a single safe place for Jews—as they have left none for Palestinians”

• Justification invoked:

  • Retribution for Gaza-related violence—“hospitals are being bombed over the heads of the sick and wounded… Take revenge”

• Call to action:

  • Encouraged American Muslims to act “without hesitation” and not to “consult anyone” when targeting designated individuals and their families

 

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Contextual Backdrop

• AQAP status: Continues to be officially designated a terrorist organization by the U.S.; this video marks a continuation of violent, extremist rhetoric.

• Leadership shift: Al‑Awlaki took over in March 2024, and shortly thereafter intensified efforts to incite international violence aimed at the West

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Escalation in Rhetoric and Targets

• New level of aggression:

  • This message signals a shift from abstract calls for jihad to specific assassination directives aimed at American political figures and civilians.

  • It broadens the target scope to include entire religious communities (Jews), escalating the rhetoric’s severity.

• Strategic timing:

  • Posted amid heightened tensions over the Gaza conflict and linked to recent antisemitic attacks, suggesting deliberate use of current events to stir violence.

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Historical Parallels and Shifts

• Compared to Ayman al‑Zawahiri’s 9/11 anniversary speeches—which focused on global jihad without specific naming—this message is markedly more direct and personal.

• Reflects a broader trend toward encouraging domestic extremists to act independently on U.S. soil.

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Here are the implications based on the article and its context:

Domestic Implications

• Targeting American Muslims:

  • By directing American Muslims to act, AQAP seeks to foster “homegrown” radicalization.

• Elevation of threats:

  • Unlike past broad propaganda, this video includes explicit naming and calls to assassinate public figures and communities, signaling an evolution in tactics.

1. Increased Risk of Domestic Radicalization

By directly urging Muslims in America to act violently without outside consultation, al‑Awlaki is attempting to bypass organized terror cells and instead inspire “lone-wolf” attackers, making detection and prevention more difficult for law enforcement.

2. Heightened Security Threat for Public Figures and Communities

Naming high-profile individuals like Trump, Vance, Musk, and Rubio raises the security risk for these figures and may force increased federal protection. Jewish communities may also face a rise in antisemitic threats or violence following these explicit calls.

3. Exploitation of Gaza Conflict to Incite Violence Abroad

The video weaponizes the emotional toll of the Gaza war, aiming to translate foreign outrage into domestic terrorism. This reflects a pattern seen in past terror campaigns where Middle East conflicts are used to justify global jihadist actions.

4. Strained Relations and Scrutiny of Muslim Communities in the U.S.

The incitement could lead to misdirected backlash or suspicion toward peaceful Muslim communities in America, worsening social cohesion and potentially fostering further alienation—something terrorist groups often exploit.

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Overall Takeaway:

Al-Qaeda’s new messaging under Sa’ad bin Ateeq al-Awlaki signals a shift toward personalized, localized incitement—specifically encouraging American Muslims to commit targeted violence on U.S. soil. By naming individuals and invoking emotionally charged global events, the group aims to provoke lone-wolf attacks, destabilize communities, and exploit geopolitical tensions to incite domestic terrorism.

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SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – Al-Qaeda Leader Calls on Muslims in America to Launch Terror Attacks and Assassinate President Trump and His Cabinet

THE NEW YORK POST – Islamist terror leader calls for Trump, JD Vance assassinations over pro-Israel views in disturbing video: ‘Take revenge’

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