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Ridge Says U.S. Ready to
Defend Against Terrorist Threats
 Homeland
Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Tuesday said that the federal government as well
as state and local authorities are "ready" to protect the U.S.'s citizens
and infrastructure and help deter future terrorist attacks. The
announcement comes a day after Ridge raised the U.S. terror alert level to orange,
its second-highest setting, citing intelligence information warning of new terrorism
threats. RealAudio:
Philip Shenon of the New York Times reports on the government's recently announced
homeland security plans. RealAudio:
Secretary Ridge's press briefing. (3/18/03)
Terror Alert Level
Raised to Orange
Update:
Following President Bush's declaration that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein must get
out of Iraq or face military strikes, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge raised
the terror alert one level to orange, or "high," Monday night, ushering in new
security measures nationwide. In an effort called
"Operation Liberty Shield," the department deployed extra Border Patrol officers,
stepped up patrols at seaports, airports and nuclear power plants and increased
safeguards over the nation's food supply. "The
intelligence community believes that terrorists will attempt multiple attacks
against U.S. and coalition targets worldwide in the event of a U.S-led military
campaign against Saddam Hussein," Ridge said. Earlier
in the day FBI officials announced an increase in round-the-clock surveillance,
monitoring and interviewing of people who might try to retaliate should hostilities
with Iraq begin. (3/17/03) Terror
Alert Level Lowered to Yellow
The
Department of Homeland Security lowered the nation's terrorism threat level from
orange to yellow Thursday, suggesting the danger of an imminent attack on U.S.
soil has eased somewhat. (2/27/03) Homeland
Security Secretary Ridge
The
secretary of homeland security discusses the nation's efforts to prepare
for a possible terrorist attack. (2/19/03)
States, Localities
Work to Meet Increased Terror Threats
The heads of the CIA and the FBI issued warnings
to Congress today about possible terrorist strikes in the coming weeks. Margaret
Warner discusses local implications of the warnings with Anthony Williams,
mayor of Washington, D.C.; Patrick McCrory, mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina;
Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Firefighters;
and Randall Larsen, director of the Institute for Homeland Security at the Anser
Corporation. (2/11/03) Al-Qaida
Remains "Resourceful, Merciless" Threat to U.S.
Update:
The heads of the FBI and CIA reported to
Congress Tuesday that al-Qaida, the loosely defined terrorist network headed by
Saudi exile Osama bin Laden, remains a potent enemy, bent on launching further
attacks on American targets domestically and overseas.
(2/11/03) Threat
Alert Level Raised to "High"
Update:
U.S.
officials raised the nation's terrorism threat level from yellow, or "elevated,"
to orange Friday, signifying a "high risk" for terrorist attacks.
RealAudio:
Ray Suarez discusses the heightened terror alert and administration calls for
increased public awareness with The New York Times' Eric Lichtblau.
RealAudio:
Attorney General Ashcroft, Secretary Ridge and FBI Director Robert Mueller announce
the threat level increase. (2/7/03)
Background on the Homeland
Security Advisory System, including how officials decide when to make a threat
level change. (2/7/03) Ridge
Approved to Head Homeland Security Department
Update:
The U.S. Senate unanimously approves Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge to head
the new cabinet-level Homeland Security Department. (1/22/03) President
Signs Homeland Security Bill
Update:
President Bush signs into law a bill creating a new Department of Homeland Security,
sparking the largest government reorganization since the birth of the Defense
Department in 1947. (11/25/02)
RealAudio:
President Bush signs the Homeland Security Act. (11/25/02) U.S.
Raises Threat Level to "High"
Following
the heightened terror alert status, two experts assess the
current state of the al-Qaida terror network and its potential threat to the
U.S. Update:
Citing new and significant intelligence from several sources, the U.S. increased
its threat level status to "high" -- the second-highest state on the
government's five-stage Homeland Security Advisory System. (9/10/02) RealAudio:
Attorney General Ashcroft and Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge announce the
terror alert status change. (9/10/02) RealAudio:
President Bush addresses officials at the Afghan embassy and then responds to
reporters' questions on the U.S. terror alert status. (9/10/02) Homeland
Security Director Ridge
The
director of homeland security discusses the anthrax investigation and plans
for a national security strategy. (5/9/02) More
on domestic security efforts.
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