Teen in Idaho Accused of Planning Attacks on Churches in the Name of ISIS | EWTN News Nightly

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18 year old Alexander Mercurio is currently awaiting an appearance in federal court. According to the FBI affidavit, Mercurio came to their attention in 2022. He had expressed support of ISIS online, as well as trying to obtain donations for the terror group, but a few months ago, Mercurio allegedly began planning a suicide attack on a Coeur d'Alene church. According to the criminal complaint, "his attack plan involved using flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives, a machete, a pipe and ultimately firearms. His plan grew more precise as he eventually identified the specific church and date on which he planned to attack. Mercurio planned to attack the church on April 7, 2024, a date intentionally selected by him so his attack would occur before the end of Ramadan." Defense Policy Researcher and Counter-Terrorism Expert, Sara Harmouch, joins to share how concerning this arrest is. She discusses the significance of pledging allegiance to ISIS. Harmouch tells us why target churches. This is a foreign threat on domestic soil. Harmouch explains how people are being radicalized. It seems like this teen was a lone actor. Harmouch fills us in on what challenges that poses for investigators. ------------ EWTN News Nightly provides the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Join host Tracy Sabol, our Capitol Hill, White House and Rome Correspondents, as well as many other diverse guests daily, to get the latest from the U.S. and the Vatican on topics regarding our Catholic faith and interests. ------------- EWTN News Nightly airs on EWTN weekdays at 6pm & 9pm ET. ------------ Don't miss an episode of EWTN New Nightly. Get updates here: https://www.ewtn.com/tv/shows/ewtn-news-nightly ------------- Sign up today to receive the EWTN News Nightly newsletter: https://www.ewtn.com/enn ------------- Follow EWTN News Nightly on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ewtnnewsnightly Twitter: https://twitter.com/EWTNNewsNightly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ewtnnewsnightly/ ------------- Subscribe to EWTN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/EWTN ------------- You can support the EWTN News mission: https://bit.ly/3qDR1qf

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• The Church