Which type of terrorism is characterized by acts committed within the United States without foreign direction?

Domestic terrorism is characterized by acts of violence or other criminal threats that are perpetrated by individuals or groups within the United States, specifically targeting U.S. citizens or interests, without any foreign involvement or direction. This type of terrorism often arises from extremist ideologies that originate within the country itself, rather than being influenced or orchestrated by external entities.

The focus on domestic contexts differentiates it from international terrorism, which involves cross-border elements or foreign affiliations. While lone actor terrorism can also refer to isolated individuals committing acts of violence, it is a subset of domestic terrorism and does not capture the broader scope that includes organized groups. State-sponsored terrorism involves the support of terrorist activities by a governing body or state, again placing it in a different category entirely. Thus, the definition and context of domestic terrorism perfectly match the question's criteria, making it the correct answer.