As federal, state and local law enforcement agencies ramp up security nationwide ahead of New Year’s Eve festivities, a former senior FBI official warns, terrorist threat Still high, but Americans are encouraged not to let fear sway their plans.

“We will not give in to terrorism,” Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swick said Wednesday on “Fox & Friends.”

A 7-foot-tall number “2026” is displayed during a lighting ceremony in Times Square ahead of this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square on December 26, 2025 in New York City. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

“There is always a heightened level of terrorist threats during the New Year and holiday periods,” he continued, referring to the ISIS-inspired terrorist attacks that rocked New Orleans in early 2025. New Year’s Eve bombing plot It was recently thwarted in Southern California.

Man detained after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktail into federal building, documents show

Court documents show the California suspect planned to hit multiple businesses and had discussed targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Prosecutors accuse the men of having ties to the anti-government extremist group Turtle Island Liberation Front.

Chris Swecker testifies before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Capitol Hill on December 9, 2020 in Washington, DC (Samuel Colum/Getty Images)

Despite threats, Swick urged revelers to “remain vigilant” and praised the country’s capabilities security and intelligence agenciesespecially in metropolitan areas.

Public safety concerns lead to major New Year’s Eve event cancellations: What to know

“There’s a lot of security there, especially in new york cityChicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles,” Swick said. “These cities will become virtual fortresses. “

He encouraged the public to immediately report suspicious behavior to the police or security personnel.

Click here to download the Fox News app

“Intelligence activities are now in overdrive,” the former FBI official said, stressing that some plots had been disrupted.

He gave an example of a recent case involving new york police departmentwhich he describes as “one of the best in the business.” A Texas man was charged this week with providing bomb components and money to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of ISIS, according to a Justice Department news release.