U.S. military bases in Europe increase security measures after President Biden’s debate performance raises concerns.
The U.S. military commander for forces in Europe has raised the protection level for U.S. military bases and forces following President Joe Biden’s weak debate performance against former President Donald Trump. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated that the decision was due to a “combination of factors and not related to a single threat.”
“This was done out of an abundance of caution. I won’t get into more specifics, other than that, but I’d refer you to European Command for any more questions that you have on force protection measures,” Singh said at a press conference on Monday. She added that Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli felt additional steps were needed to “increase vigilance for our service members, for their families.”
Trump Campaign Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt linked Biden’s debate performance to an increased risk to the U.S. “This past weekend, after the debate performance, U.S. military bases in Europe have been put on high alert for a credible terrorist threat. The world is taking advantage of our country because it sees how weak it is,” she said during an interview on Fox News.
There are 55 ISIS terrorists roaming around our country.
— Karoline Leavitt (@kleavittnh) July 1, 2024
Following the debate, U.S. military bases in Europe were put on high alert for a credible terrorist threat.
The world is taking advantage of Biden's weakness. He is a national security risk. pic.twitter.com/EtKWz5a9TI
According to military newspaper Stars and Stripes, the Stuttgart Army garrison issued a community-wide alert, raising the force protection level to condition “Charlie” until further notice. Similar directives were sent to bases in Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy. The U.S. Army’s website explains that the Charlie threat level “applies when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.”
Charlie is the second highest protection level, after Delta, which applies in “the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that terrorist action against a specific location or person is imminent.” Troops in Italy were advised not to wear their uniforms to and from work, according to a source who shared the command’s message with military whistleblowers at Terminal CWO.
Due to increased security posture, all transit to and from work in uniform is prohibited effective immediately and until further notice. This proactive measure is part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all personnel, families, and assets. Personnel are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or behaviors to installation security immediately.
FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Congress in April about a heightened risk of a terrorist attack in the United States. In written testimony, he noted that since Hamas’s attack in Israel on October 7, “we’ve seen a rogue’s gallery of foreign terrorist organizations call for attacks against Americans and our allies.”
“Given those calls for action, our most immediate concern has been that individuals or small groups will draw twisted inspiration from the events in the Middle East to carry out attacks here at home,” Wray stated.
