Stein briefed on threat level after US strikes Iran nuclear sites

By
Theresa Opeka
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North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein was one of the nation’s governors who was briefed on a conference call Sunday by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the elevated threat level after President Donald Trump’s air strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran on Saturday.

The strikes came after the conflict between Iran and Israel intensified.

Trump said the objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat from Iran. Three main nuclear sites were targeted.

Three American B-2 stealth bombers dropped six bunker busters on Fordow, while 30 Tomahawk missiles were fired from US submarines at Natanz and Isfahan.

Federal officials urged governors and their staff to be vigilant for an uptick in cyber activity and encouraged them to reach out to relevant state agencies and others who may be at risk, including Jewish institutions or groups associated with Israel.

“Maintaining public safety is always my top priority,” Stein, a Democrat, said in a post on X Monday morning. “This weekend, I was briefed by @Sec Noem about the heightened threat environment as the conflict in Iran continues. Public safety officials in North Carolina are working in close coordination with local, state, and federal partners to remain vigilant against any retaliatory threat, whether physical or cyber.”

He concluded by saying he was deeply grateful to all the brave North Carolinians serving our country overseas.

“I am deeply grateful for your continued service and sacrifice and am praying for your safety,” he said.

The post comes as Iran fired missiles toward US bases in Qatar and Iraq on Monday afternoon in retaliation for the strikes. Qatar was able to intercept the missiles. Americans in other countries, like Bahrain, are also being told to exercise caution.

Monday evening, Trump announced that Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire but expressed his displeasure Tuesday morning when both countries continued to fire missiles at one another. Later in the morning, it was reported that Israel had stopped further strikes after a call from Trump.

most of North Carolina’s Congressional delegation praiseS trump’s decision

North Carolina’s congressional contingent mostly praised the strikes along party lines on social media, with one Democrat joining Republicans in backing the president.

“This was the right decision by POTUS. We cannot allow Iran to build nuclear weapons,” said Republican US Sen. Thom Tillis. “God bless our brave service members who supported and executed this mission.”

“Tonight, the United States dealt a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear program,” said Republican US Sen. Ted Budd. “The U.S. military alone had the capability to destroy these facilities deep underground, and I commend President Trump for standing with our Israeli allies in their efforts to end the threat of a nuclear Iran once and for all.”

The remaining Republican representatives, including Chuck Edwards, NC-11; Virginia Foxx, NC-5; Richard Hudson, NC-9; Pat Harrigan, NC-10; David Rouzer, NC-7; Greg Murphy, NC-3; Tim Moore, NC-14; Mark Harris, NC-8; Addison McDowell, NC-6; and Brad Knott, NC-13, backed the president.

Democratic Rep. Don Davis, NC-1, stood with Republicans on the issue, while fellow Democratic Reps. Deborah Ross, NC-2; and Valerie Foushee, NC-4, spoke out against Trump’s actions.

Democrat Rep. Alma Adams, NC-12, did not comment on the issue.

Iranian terror or “sleeper cells” may be in the US

Governors like Stein and other officials are being warned of Iranian terror or “sleeper cells,” which are spies or terrorists in the US who remain inactive until they are called to act against the US.

Over the weekend, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 11 Iranian nationals illegally in the US in eight states, including New York, California, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, Alabama, and Mississippi, where one was on the terrorist watchlist.

According to reports, US Customs and Border Protection has said there were 1,504 Iranian nationals caught crossing the border illegally during the Biden administration from Fiscal Years 2021 through 2024, of whom 729 (48%) were released into the US.

It is also unclear how many were on the terrorism watchlist.

In addition, there were over 2 million known gotaways at the border during the Biden administration, and it is unknown where they were from.

Stein vetoes immigration-enforcing bills

On Friday, Stein vetoed two bills that deal with immigration. The first is SB 153, the North Carolina Border Protection Act, which mandates broad cooperation between state agencies and federal immigration authorities and seeks to curb sanctuary city policies across the state.

The second is HB 318, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, which compels law enforcement agencies to honor detainer requests from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. When an undocumented individual is arrested and ICE issues a detainer, local officials must hold the person for up to 48 hours to allow for federal pickup.

The legislation prohibits local governments from adopting sanctuary policies and introduces penalties — including potential loss of state funding — for noncompliance. Additionally, it requires jail administrators to notify ICE when they reasonably believe someone in custody is unlawfully present in the United States, even if a detainer has not yet been issued.

Stein said he vetoed the bill because it is unconstitutional.

“Therefore, I cannot sign this bill because it would require sheriffs to unconstitutionally detain people for up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released,” Stein said. “The Fourth Circuit is clear that local law enforcement officers cannot keep people in custody solely based on a suspected immigration violation. But let me be clear: anyone who commits a serious crime in North Carolina must be prosecuted and held accountable regardless of their immigration status.”

House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, commented on Stein’s veto of the bill.

“Governor Stein has made one thing clear today: he stands with criminal illegal aliens and the most radical elements of his party’s base over the safety and security of North Carolinians,” Hall said in a press release. “Make no mistake, the NC House will override the Governor’s veto at the earliest opportunity.”

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