Threats against Americans, especially Jews, skyrocketing since beginning Iran war, nonprofit says

CHICAGO (WLS) -- With the head of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, being fired by President Donald Trump, there are significant questions about the continuity of security for the United States.

"This has been an unprecedented threat environment, not just for the Jewish community, but for the United States, following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran," said Michael Masters, national director and CEO of the Secure Community Network.

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SCN is a nonprofit that monitors threats against or near Jewish communities throughout the country.

"On an average week, we are identifying several thousand violent posts directed towards the Jewish community. In the last six days, we've had an over 100% increase," Masters said. "The reality is we're also seeing not just those calls for violence, we're seeing people willing to answer that call."

Masters pointed to the Iranian flag found on the body of the mass shooter in Austin, Texas. And while the FBI is investigating possible terrorism ties, it has not officially been linked to Iranian-backed terror organizations.

That risk of retaliation by terrorists stateside is held against the backdrop of a major shift in the Department of Homeland Security, with its leader, Noem, fired by the president Thursday.

"We know they've targeted U.S. officials. We know they have targeted foreign officials. We know they have attempted to undertake directed attacks or enabled attacks or inspired attacks here in the United States. We should be under no illusion that in their moments of desperation, they're going to try to accelerate all of those things," Masters said.

Separately, the I-Team has learned some individuals in the Chicago area have now requested 24/7 private security after Iranian clerics issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to avenge the killing of the ayatollah.

"Every single day we are identifying threats of violence, threats to life, threats to maim or kill members of the Jewish community, threats to maim or kill American citizens that we take seriously," Masters said. "It has accelerated in recent weeks, is accelerated in recent years. It's not going to create a prohibition of living our lives, however."

Masters said just days ago his team briefed the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and over a thousand members of law enforcement about the extraordinary increase in threats Secure Community Network is tracking.