American al Qaeda may now pose the most clear and present threat to the homeland, top government sources tell ABC News. Americans have risen high in al Qaeda's leadership and are now helping shape strategy for attacks on the U.S.
One source told ABC that it is clear these homegrown al Qaeda want to spill American blood.
American al Qaeda may be even more dangerous than foreign fighters, sources say, because they know the nation's psyche and its "soft" targets, and its American recruits can often move about the country freely.
In fact, during a speech to the top police chiefs in the country Monday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano shared a stark assessment: