Pod Force One Minisode: The FBI’s Repeated Non-answers on US Terrorism Attacks

Host: Miranda Devine
Date: March 20, 2026
Podcast: Pod Force One (New York Post)
Episode Focus: Examining the FBI’s lack of accountability and transparency following a series of recent Islamic terror attacks, with special scrutiny of the Norfolk, Virginia attack by a released ISIS convict.

Episode Overview

Miranda Devine, award-winning New York Post columnist, delivers a topical minisode critiquing the FBI's repeated inability or unwillingness to provide clear answers regarding its monitoring—and alleged failures—related to recent Islamist terrorist attacks in the United States. Devine zeroes in on the March attack in Norfolk, Virginia, by Mohammad Bailor Jlo, a convicted ISIS terrorist on supervised release. She explores government accountability, the FBI's counterterrorism protocols, and troubling signs of institutional deflection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Norfolk, VA ISIS Attack and Systemic Oversight Issues

• Summary of Incident

  • Mohammad Bailor Jlo, a naturalized US citizen from Sierra Leone and convicted ISIS terrorist, was on supervised federal release after serving 8 of 11 years in prison.
  • On March 11, Jlo opened fire on an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University, killing the instructor before being killed himself.
  • Jlo was out on probation (until 2029) despite original plans to attack US military personnel.

• Core Question Raised

  • Miranda: "But why did nobody stop him?" [00:01]

2. The FBI’s Reluctance to Assume Responsibility

• FBI’s Official Position:

  • The FBI repeatedly stated it does not oversee supervision of released terrorists, deferring to the federal district courts.
  • Quote:
    • “The FBI does not oversee supervised release from prison. That would be up to the federal district court. When the FBI has information or intelligence of a threat, the FBI works with our local and federal law enforcement to address those threats.” [03:18]
  • On awareness of the probation officer's visits:
    • “Refer you to the federal District court.” [04:10]
  • On monitoring activities:
    • “As said, the FBI does not control supervised release from prison or post release monitoring, which would include some actions you are referring to.” [04:54]

• Miranda’s Response:

  • She finds these answers “extraordinary,” arguing that a proactive agency would track high-risk individuals.
  • Quote:
    • “Any proactive, thorough, counterterrorism program should have had JLO in its sights as a potential threat and at least made an effort to mitigate it.” [05:02]

3. Missed Red Flags in Jlo’s Movements

• Details Revealed:
  • Jlo’s travel to obtain a gun, lengthy mosque visit, and overnight stay with his alleged supplier were—all in the days preceding the attack—behaviors which could have been discovered by basic surveillance.
  • Quote:
    • “That activity might have raised red flags if anyone had been tailing him in the past.” [06:00]

4. Shift in FBI Counterterrorism Priorities?

• Context Provided:
  • Cites past surveillance of released terrorists by the FBI (John Walker Lindh, Lackawanna Six).
  • Questions whether under previous director Christopher Wray, and a supposed focus on so-called 'domestic extremists,' traditional counterterrorism was deprioritized.
  • Notable Criticism:
    • “Was the FBI too busy rounding up J6 grandmas for trespass, Catholics for attending Latin Mass and parents at school board meetings complaining about gender theory to worry about monitoring actual Islamist terrorists?” [07:03]

5. Policy and Precedents: FBI’s Expected Role

• DoJ Inspector General Audit Quoted:
  • “Since 2005 the Bureau of Prisons has provided to the FBI a list of terrorist inmates who are scheduled for release from Bureau of Prisons custody so the FBI could perform appropriate follow up activities if necessary.” [07:23]
  • “...the ongoing policy requirement for identified terrorist inmates to enable FBI JTTF...to enable their follow up monitoring decisions and watch list maintenance.” [07:36]
• Miranda’s Conclusion:
  • Strong evidence the FBI is supposed to be involved in post-release monitoring; the non-answers suggest a gap between stated procedure and operational reality.

6. The FBI’s Response to Heightened Threats & Recent Failures

• Official Update:
  • Post-Iran’s Operation Epic Fury, Director Patel declared the agency on high alert.
  • FBI spokesperson claimed:
    • “...the FBI's JTTFs...are working 24/7 as always to address and disrupt any potential threats to the homeland.” [08:52]
• Host’s Dismissal:
  • “Well, they failed to do that four times in the past three weeks. The answers from the FBI smell like obfuscation to me. What are they trying to hide?” [09:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Miranda Devine (Intro):
  • “Today's topic is a follow up on the troubling recent spate of Islamic terror attacks...why did nobody stop him?” [00:01]
• On FBI’s Evasion:
  • “The official response...has been unsatisfactory to say the least. And the personal attacks by FBI Director Kash Patel's private PR operatives have been downright deranged.” [01:04]
• Policy Contradiction:
  • “Sure sounds like the FBI is supposed to be involved in monitoring terrorists after they're released from prison.” [07:49]
• Parting Shot:
  • “The answers from the FBI smell like obfuscation to me. What are they trying to hide?” [09:12]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:01] – Episode theme introduction & focus on Norfolk terror attack
• [03:18] – FBI’s official position on supervised release and monitoring
• [05:02] – Miranda's critique of the FBI’s lack of proactive counterterrorism
• [06:00] – Details about Jlo’s movements pre-attack
• [07:23] – DoJ Inspector General audit findings on post-release monitoring
• [08:52] – FBI’s public relations response to their heightened alert
• [09:12] – Host’s final judgment on systemic FBI shortcomings

Tone and Language

Miranda Devine maintains a sharply critical and slightly incredulous tone, mixing policy analysis with pointed commentary and rhetorical questions. The episode is investigative and adversarial, with notable skepticism directed at FBI and government bureaucracies.

Summary

This minisode of Pod Force One is a probing critique of FBI transparency and counterterrorism effectiveness, laying out a detailed timeline of the Norfolk terrorist attack and exposing institutional reluctance or inability to monitor released high-risk offenders. Miranda Devine leverages official documents, historical practices, and her own pointed questioning to highlight critical gaps in national security protocols, raising questions about the Bureau's priorities and accountability in a rapidly evolving domestic threat environment.