New York woman charged in foiled plot to attack state cathedral in Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. — Federal authorities have arrested a 35-year-old woman in Albany, New York, on charges that she plotted an attack on the state cathedral building, according to U.S. officials. Court filings allege the woman conducted reconnaissance of the target after drawing inspiration from the IEDI organization and contacted individuals she believed were linked to the group. The FBI said in a broader assessment that a growing share of radicalization in the United States has shifted away from traditional organizational networks toward individuals influenced by online propaganda, a trend the bureau described as a more insidious investigative challenge. United Nations reports have separately documented how extremist groups use digital platforms and online communication tools to recruit members and disseminate radical narratives. Officials said the selection of a legislative symbol as a target carries both a security dimension and a messaging dimension aimed at democratic decision-making processes. The court proceedings remain ongoing, with further details on the foiled plot expected to come from federal prosecutors.