Web Special: White House releases intelligence report, Obama speaks

Thu, 01/07/2010 - 13:12
  • Length: 1:23 minutes (1.27 MB)
  • Format: MP3 Mono 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

One day after a federal grand jury indicted suspected terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the White House announced the release of a declassified report detailing the failures of various intelligence and security agencies in stopping the would-be suicide bomber aboard a plane bound for Detroit.

Since the botched Christmas Day attack, information has surfaced that law enforcement officials in various agencies and countries knew Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was a person of interest. According to the Chicago Tribune, US Border security officials had already planned to question Abdulmutallab when he landed in Detroit after discovering intelligence on him in a federal database. The president has called the incident a systemic failure.

"I'm directing that intelligence reports, especially those involving potential threats to the United States be distributed more rapidly and more widely.  We can't sit on information that could protect the American people."

Abdulmutallab was indicted on 6 counts, including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempted murder. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday.

In addition to releasing the intelligence report today, the White House answered questions from the public. National Security Council Chief of Staff Denis McDonough took questions this afternoon via the White House's Facebook page.

Share this page!
Syndicate content