The attack on a cartoon exhibit in Garland, Texas, over the weekend — attempted by two pro-Islamic State gunmen — shows why the Patriot Act needs to be renewed, according to Sen. Tom Cotton.
The act, signed by President George W. Bush after Sept. 11, 2011, is set to expire June 1. It broadens the power law enforcement agencies have to identify and stop suspected terrorists, and garners criticism from both sides of the political aisle.
The attempted attack Sunday on an exhibit showing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad — it was thwarted by a security guard before anyone was seriously injured — which the Arkansas Republican said he has been briefed on, shows the need for Congress to renew parts of the provisions in the Patriot Act to stop such attacks in the future, he said.
“I don’t want to speak about specific intelligence matters or the ongoing investigation, but I think there’s no doubt the Islamic State inspired this attack and they are actively trying to inspire attacks,” Cotton said. “They are telling Westerners in Western Europe or North America, stay home, attack your homeland. Don’t come to Iraq and Syria.”
Cotton, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, also serves on the Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee.
“There’s no doubt if you look on social media that this was a Islamic State-inspired attack, regardless whether it was a Islamic State-plotted, or resourced, or planned attack,” Cotton said. “That’s because […] the Islamic State seems to be winning right now.”
Cotton also said that the Obama administration needs to ramp up its air campaign against the Islamic State.
