September 13, 2007

McConnell Revises Statement On Anti-Terror Law

Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell is backtracking from comments he made earlier this week about the role a new surveillance law played in the unraveling of an alleged terrorist plot in Germany last week.

Testifying before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Monday, McConnell told senators that a new law granting the federal government the authority to eavesdrop on terrorism suspects helped lead to the arrests of three men in Germany last week who were allegedly plotting to bomb U.S. interests in that country.

McConnell made the claim in response to a question from Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman (I/D). But almost immediately after he did, other government officials and intelligence experts began questioning its veracity. McConnell reportedly called Lieberman to withdraw his claim on Tuesday, and yesterday he clarified his position in a statement [PDF].

"The Protect America Act was urgently needed by our intelligence professionals to close critical gaps in our capabilities and permit them to more readily follow terrorist threats, such as the plot uncovered in Germany," McConnell wrote. "However, information contributing to the recent arrests was not collected under authorities provided by the Protect America Act."

Newsweek notes that "the flap over McConnell's latest statements is especially sensitive because many Democrats have said they felt the White House and the director of national intelligence stampeded them into passing the new surveillance law."

California Rep. Jane Harman (D), a member of the committee McConnell addressed Monday, publicly criticized the intelligence chief during a panel appearance before the Council on Foreign Relations yesterday. "Jane to Mike, please stop undermining the authority of your office," Harman said.

Posted at 4:00 PM
Posted to: Mike McConnell, Terrorism
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