Government

Homeland Security Chief Warns: US Terror Threat ‘Most Heightened’ Since 9/11

Just one day after the House of Representatives voted down extending provisions of the Patriot Act, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano warned that radicalized U.S. residents willing to carry out attacks on American soil with “little or no warning” have created one of the biggest terrorist threats in nearly a decade.

“The terrorist threat to the homeland is in many ways at its most heightened state since 9/11,” Napolitano told a hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee in Washington Wednesday.

According to the DHS chief, terrorist groups such as al Qaeda are working more and more to recruit Westerners — specifically those with ties to the U.S. and Europe — to carry out targeted attacks. One such example of these recruits is Pakistani immigrant Faisal Shahzad who tried to detonate a car bomb in New York’s Times Square last May, she said.

In her testimony, Napolitano cited a December national intelligence report that said 50 of 88 people involved in 32 high-profile terrorist plots related to al-Qaeda since Sept. 11 have been U.S. citizens.

Homeland Security Chief Warns: US Terror Threat Most Heightened Since 9/11

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King, R-N.Y., called the hearing to explore the threat of Islamic radicalization. “We must confront this threat explicitly and directly,” King said. The New York congressman said he also plans to hold a hearing next month to discuss the radicalization of U.S. Muslims.

Additionally, Secretary Napolitano was pressed to answer questions related to domestic airport security. Rep. William Keating, D-Mass., told Napolitano that a North Carolina teenager’s ability to stow away in the wheel well of a commercial airliner raised “enormous concerns about aviation safety” in the United States.

Napolitano acknowledged the incident revealed a “breakdown” in security and said the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was investigating.

Comments (137)

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  • cykonas
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:10pm

    I know Janet, I know. Wasn’t it just a week or so ago you told us that the US/Mexico border was the safest it’s been in a while? And we had nothing to worry about as long as your and your team of faithful watchdogs were on the job. You DCites are so predicable. Now we are all in trouble because the PA extension didn’t pass.Right, right, right, got it.

    If I may be so bold as to offer a couple of suggestions to you. First, close our borders, please. Second, close your mouth, please. Then go back to sleep.

    Report Post » cykonas  
  • Broadsword
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:03pm

    If Napolitano said the sun was out, I’d need three independent sources and a window for verification.
    We have an al-Fuqra settlement about 50 miles away. One of their major streets is named for Gilani. All quiet so far. They can train with guns; that’s as American as the Fourth of July. If someone has a license to possess explosives, that’s OK too. As long as they realize that 90 million Americans have 200 million guns and know how to use them, and are VERY tired of their rights being blamed for terrorist acts.

    Report Post »  
    • Workforit
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 6:02pm

      Well said! I have had enough little miss Janet. Her obvious monumental failure at the Arizona border does not inspire any confidence in her ability to secure the rest of the nation. This whole Obama administration is a text book example of the blind leading the deaf into the front lines of socialism. Most of the words that run from Janet’s mouth are as predictable as the water that runs out of broken faucet. You know what she is going to say has only one purpose and that purpose is to cover her a$$.

      Report Post »  
  • prepper1776
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:02pm

    so does this mean tsa needs to gate rape even more grandmas and children but leave or southern border wide open

    Report Post »  
    • docgreen
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:38pm

      Yeah, please don’t check out the middle eastern man! Instead check out the little kids and grand Parents! Hmmm! Seems like I’ve seen this before! Little kids and Grand Parents blowing themselves up for Jesus! Oh, I know where I’ve seen it! The Mickey Mouse Cartoons in Palastine, that says Jews drink the blood of muslims when they kill them! What? OMG, when will america understand? Its the muslims that look middle eastern with black hair you should be checking and if you need to search little kids and Grandparents search middle eastern ones! Not US American’s!…….. I bet if they did an analysis, they would find out TSA agents get board with their jobs, because they dont find any terrorists! Maybe they should start checking the Middle Eastern men! Not Our Grandparents, or our kids!….. If you ask me we are so PC that we’ve lost all reality!

      One last thing, you know how they said Israels way of checking people would not work for the US? If I was a muslim, and I wanted to sacrifice myself and kill lots of Innocent people with terrorism. I would do it before I got on a plane! Like before I got my ticket, waiting with all the people just standing there waiting to get their tickets and check their lugage! Israel checks them before they get their tickets and while their waiting to check bags! This reduces people standing in line waithing for screening! But this makes to much sense!…..

      Report Post »  
  • GroundZero is Nuclear Demolition x3
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:02pm

    Until the truth is exposed, our country will be in more jeopardy than any terrorist can create.
    It was an Jewish insurance scam from the start, only mossad could pull this off. Find out why a former Italian prez went on record saying “It’s a known fact among the world intel community, Israel carried out (taking down the towers)”
    The US fed gov is a detriment to this great country(period)

    Report Post »  
    • Fina_Biscotti
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:49pm

      so if that were true, Israel and the Jews must have hired “actors” to appear as Radical Muslim terrorists….hi-jacking three aircrafts…..to be used as WMD…..give them an expense account to visit strip joints the night before….so the Jews could pull off an insurance scam……complete w hallucinogens in the water supply…..so that every person in the world – thought they saw two aircrafts hit the WTC.

      Also the radical Muslim Slumlord wanting the MegaMosque – “Cordoba House” – to be built on the ruins of Ground Zero – was a fantasy – also.

      Report Post »  
    • Fina_Biscotti
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 6:01pm

      seems like these days…..after ObaMao put his foot in his mouth……wanting the Muslim Brotherhood to be accepted/accommodated in Eqypt – and on the world stage,

      people will come up w anything to take the spotlight off the fact that the 9-11 hi-jackers were members of The Muslim Brotherhood –

      and the front man for The Muslim Brotherhood – el-Bariedi (sp) – was concealing IRAN’s nuclear advancement – when he was monitoring/reporting on Nuclear Programs worldwide – and continuined to downplay IRAN’s nuclear arsenal – when he was caught LYING.

      AZs the ENEMY in the WH, Barack HUSSEIN Obama/Barry Soetoro looks just like Osama bin Laden – wo the beard and turban/turbine.

      Report Post »  
  • Fina_Biscotti
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:02pm

    What about discussing the RADICALIZATION of our US borders……forcing them to remain open……even after the radical Muslim cleric Jaziri – was found in the trunk of a car – being smuggled over the US borders –

    when this rabid animal has been banned from Canada and the UK……(which is a hard thing to get banned from those countries).

    Report Post »  
    • GroundZero is Nuclear Demolition x3
      Posted on February 11, 2011 at 11:26pm

      So let me get this str8. It’s completely rational to take over a piece of rental property that has NEVER turned a profit since the day of completion. In addition to having a 1billion dollar repair bill to clean up asbestos.
      Where is ur evidence the planes were hijacked, because all I have seen is circumstantial at BEST. No court in this country will accept a radio transmission as more than hearsay evidence, the origin of transmission can not be determined w/o real time triangulation. Cell phone towers TX/RX signals PARALLEL to the earths surface, THEY COULD NOT PICK UP SIGNALS FROM COMMERCIAL AIRLINE CRUISE ALT OR SPEED!! (AND STILL CAN’T)
      Kerosene fires can not cause global collapse of a steel structured skyscraper (gradual, maybe under force fed fuel cond, but not global under ANY CONDITIONS. IT VIOLATES THE LAWS OF PHYSICS!!!
      Please get checked for brain injury, Ur skills at rationalization have diminished to a detrimental level. Have U even read a book on the subject? If so, which one, I would luv to debate as I have read several including the “official lie” put out by phillip zelikow. Did U know his thesis was based on how myths are created and perpetuated in society, things that make u go HUMMM! Maybe if u found out a little about rabbi dov zakiem and his roll in penac.
      If u really think u can debate the debunkers side, please pick a better forum.

      Report Post »  
  • Katayno
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:01pm

    Does this mean..with the union, they can’t fire a terrorist from checking our luggage?

    Report Post »  
  • DashRipRock
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:55pm

    They must have stretched the Bell Curve around the moon
    in order for this woman to graduate

    Report Post »  
  • daddy warbucks
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:55pm

    Considering all these articles about terrorists getting more powerful, I have a feeling they are setting the stage for the next ‘false flag’. The fact that they now say al Qaeda is a ‘growing threat and that they may have nuclear capabilities worries me.

    “… Secretary Janet Napolitano says the terror threat against the US is growing from Al Qaeda “??? great work keeping us safe

    This Obamanation too busy investigating US veterans?

    Remember this Obummer crew refused to use the word ‘terrorist’?

    Report Post »  
  • dmforman
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:53pm

    This shouldn’t be news to anyone if they have been paying attention to how the government has handled the situation with Egypt. We are asking for terrorism to strike again.

    Report Post »  
  • TexasRanger86
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:49pm

    Sounds to me that this is just another hype from the Government to get support to extend the Unconstitutional Patriot Act. Just saying…

    Report Post »  
  • docgreen
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:48pm

    I thought we didn’t have to worry about our peaceful loving muslim brothers? Anyone see my red button for the Nukes? I think the muslims stole it!

    Report Post »  
  • jpjc
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:48pm

    Don’t worry, buffalo gal says everything is fine along the Mexican border !

    Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:06pm

      And be sure to tell that to the parents of the two teen boys who were murdered after they crossed the border to visit our good friend, Mexico.

      Report Post » Showtime  
  • eat-more-bacon-USA
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:47pm

    “US TERROR THREAT ‘MOST HEIGHTENED’ SINCE 9/11″ – Thanks Jan and Bo – you suck. America has had enough.

    Report Post » eat-more-bacon-USA  
  • Showtime
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:46pm

    “Just one day after the House of Representatives voted down extending provisions of the Patriot Act, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano warned that radicalized U.S. residents willing to carry out attacks on American soil with “little or no warning” have created one of the biggest terrorist threats in nearly a decade.”

    Well, Miss Janet, with all the invasive means at your command bundled into the Patriot Act, why have you not rounded these people up? If you have enough evidence to make such a statement, you surely have enough evidence for arrests.

    Could it possibly be due to the fact that coyotes are smuggling in terrorists faster than you can say, “Our borders are secure,” and that our borders are the most secure now than they have been in our history?

    Report Post » Showtime  
  • neverending
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:45pm

    Hope they meet with her FIRST!

    Report Post »  
  • stopthespending
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:44pm

    That lady is totaly clueless, but I think just about all of them are. But I feel better that she said we are safer on the border than we have ever been.

    Report Post » stopthespending  
  • Devil Dog 7175
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:44pm

    Threat most heightened since 9/11… Really, Do Ya Think??? O-blome , go bow to someone else or apologize to more people for this terrible country, maybe that will help. Jack ass!

    Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
  • Katayno
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:42pm

    Wow…I didn’t see that coming….. Soros makes money on the xray equip. and the unions fly in and finish the corruption. Boy, do I feel safe.

    Report Post »  
  • Just_Bubba
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:42pm

    Purely posturing for the Patriot Act vote because they have no more clue now than they had then. They know it’s a small group acting as a solitary wolf pack we should fear and they have no handle on it. Pourous borders and no real plan equals doom. Anyone who wants to come here and create chaos is free to do so.

    Report Post » Just_Bubba  
  • Star Spangled
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:38pm

    Three parts of the so called “patriot act” not renewed and NOW we’re all in more danger ? Hmmm , sounds fishy to me . More fear tactics !

    Report Post » Star Spangled  
    • Runeback
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 6:32pm

      Yeah the timing on this is very fishy. The patriot acts give way too much power to the goons running this country right now, for a US citizen to be denied constitutional rights because they are labeled a “terrorist” but God knows who, will always be wrong.

      Report Post » Runeback  
  • MotherRedDog
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:37pm

    Yeah. So sign that Patroit Act that Obama was against before he was for it.

    Report Post » MotherRedDog  
  • integrican
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:33pm

    Here is a start: Many of you may be aware of this. I post this for those who may not be.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8_82YGXJe0&feature=player_embedded

    Hey Janet, Lookie lookie!!!!

    Report Post » integrican  
  • John 1776
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:30pm

    What? Our “Apology to the World” tour didn’t work?? They still want to kill us??

    Report Post » John 1776  
    • NickDeringer
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:40pm

      O”barry forgot to say pretty please with a big scoop of low-fat goat cheese on it.

      Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • Non-sequitur
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 5:00am

      To be honest, maybe we should’ve stopped killing them for a few hours after apologizing. May have sounded a lot more earnest that way.

      Report Post »  
  • Showtime
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:29pm

    Headline:
    “Homeland Security Chief Warns: US Terror Threat ‘Most Heightened’ Since 9/11″

    And why am I not surprised? Did I have to read that I don’t sleep as well at night with this regime heading our Titanic into an iceberg full steam ahead?

    Report Post » Showtime  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:54pm

      And, if things aren’t bad enough already, just glance at this page! – (Re: Homeland Security and FEMA Camps)
      http://www.freedomfiles.org/war/fema.htm

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • pscully17
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:48pm

      Thank You showtime!!

      Report Post »  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 6:12pm

      Im sorry Showtime

      I like you and I think of you as a credible poster

      But anything that says “Capitalist Cabal”

      Loses all credibility with me.

      Report Post »  
    • beckisnuts
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 9:08am

      Showtime, you FEMA Campers are delusional. You people are sickeningly irrational and out of touch with reality. Get some help.

      Report Post »  
    • Kathy
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 3:05pm

      Is there anyone who hasn’t been on high alert since 9/11/01? This woman should stay in her office playing solitare and let the people get on with the business of keeping American safe. She’s incompetent and makes me mad. Oh, but there’s NO threat from our southern border! ROFLOL. Thanks Janet – blood is now shooting out of my eyes!!!!!

      Report Post » katamb55  
  • cheezwhiz
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:28pm

    I feel so safe now that TSA will be unionized
    and Incompetano is still recycling the same info about US based jihadies, which is almost 20 years old now.
    The system is working

    Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • BMartin1776
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:33pm

      Speaking of TSA, thanks Cheez, I put this little number together :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlwb48COSS4

      And isnt it just a nice coinky dink Big Sis comes out and talks of concern of domestic terrorism just as those provisions are knocked down?! How convenient for her! Im sure “they” are just drooling for an “event” so they can blame those who voted the provision down that its their fault!

      http://www.savingtherepublic.com

      Report Post » BMartin1776  
    • hologram5
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:33pm

      I wonder if they’re still trying to sell someone a bridge to nowhere as well?

      Report Post » hologram5  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:34pm

      Anyone see the trend going on, the house votes on parts of the Patriot Act and at the same time the TSA is allowed to unionize and Napoletano the little naopleano warns of the highest threat just when the act may fall apart – typical scare tactics on her and the administrations parts.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • taskmaster78
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:37pm

      Think about this Cheez the idiots all of a sudden has credible intell, why do they wait until the house votes against it? My feeling they don’t give a rip about the threat but want to watch over the common citizens appose to their agenda.

      Report Post »  
    • Sergio Q
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:45pm

      DUHHHH JANET !!!! ..you and the rest of the all-is-well morons really need to stop spending so much time on your knees ,slurpin ,slobbering & droolin ,eager to please king obama and do your freakin job ,or let others do the right thing.
      {hott tip skagg ,its not gonna be politically correct or polite! & many will cry ,moan & complaine , but you & the rest of your croanies have gotten real good at ignoring the voices of the people ,apply that skill to them idiots}

      Report Post » Sergio Q  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:54pm

      Hey Janet

      If you see something
      say something.

      That includes your mirror

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:58pm

      @ BMartin1776
      Wow …. cool vid .
      And here is something to make you feel all warm and fuzzy now that we know we have jihadies in our own country
      http://michaelbrowntoday.com/storage/papist-nun-searched-at-airport1-550×413.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1289884614376
      Now lets we combine her infinite wisdom and our totally out of control borders with how clueless her department has been………just for kicks :D

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 4:59pm

      Johnston Co., NC, man pleads guilty in terrorist conspiracy.
      http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/9081721/

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • DagneyT
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:01pm

      This is a bogus attempt at scaring the GOP straight for the next round. I do not believe a word! If anything should happen, it will be blamed on “tea baggers” any way!

      Report Post » DagneyT  
    • Think4yourself
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:04pm

      @BMartin1776
      That was a great video. According to a 2009 New York Times article, the Boy Scouts might be part of the National Security Force, they were training them to combat terroists.

      http://www.unsalvageable.org

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:14pm

      taskmaster78

      … My feeling they don’t give a rip about the threat but want to watch over the common citizens appose to their agenda.
      ——————-
      So will TSA and DHS employees get trained @ Univ of Minn now ?
      http://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/keith-ellison-proud-alma-mater-will-spread-sharia/

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • Sinista Mace
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:23pm

      Glenn Beck just basically told all of his followers to visit Alex Jones’ http://www.Prisonplanet.com and http://www.Infowars.com and join the V for Victory campaign, because the answer to 1984 is 1776.

      We wouldn‘t have a Bill of Rights in 1791 if there wasn’t a Declaration of Independence in 1776 and a Constitution in 1787.

      Follow the leader.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • pscully17
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:27pm

      Hello, My name is Patrick W Scully

      I sent this to the NAtional Governors association Please review

      I did not see any reference to our glaring energy crisis on your list of issues to be addressed at the NGA meetting next month. I surely hope and URGE all Governors with energy resources in their states to immediately form an energy coalition, and start drilling, mining, didgging for oil, gas and coal, and any other energy production means they have. The Federal government has taken us into a very severe NATIONAAL SECURITY CRISIS by unrestrained and blatant disregard for our Court system and Congress The EPA has way overstepped its boundaries in blocking Gulf, Alaska, Texas drilling! they have blocked access to oil sands in Montana and North Dakota. They pulled an ALREADY ISSUED PERMIT ( last month) from WV coal Mining!! Today, February 9th, wikileaks reports that saudi Arabia OVERSTATED their oil reserves by 40 percent!!! 40 PERCENT. Also, today, the somali pirates hijacked an oil tanker bound for the US!!! and anther bound for europe.

      The Governors of the UNITED STATES– (not the Dictatorial EPA STATES) have to stand up and collectively (with or without Federal approval) start DRILLING and making the US a more energy Independent nation for our Security and Sovereignty!!!
      Please contact your Governor and lets fight for America!!!

      Thank You– Patrick W SCULLY

      Report Post »  
    • home_of_the_brave
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:31pm

      But don‘t worry our borders are safer than they’ve ever been. – Napolitano

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:37pm

      @PATRICK W. SCULLY –
      Thank you. I am copying and pasting and sending this to my political forum. We will then be contacting our governor in droves!

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 6:09pm

      @PATRICK W. SCULLY –
      Thank you. I am copying and will also send on to my contacts around this state…

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • 8jrts
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 6:12pm

      @BMartin1776

      Wow! Really good You-tube on TSA..Thanks for the link.

      Report Post » 8jrts  
    • joe3
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 7:02pm

      if your afraid of being hurt or killed by a terrorist attack, and are willing to let that maleshe disrupt the american way of life to try to make it safer, than you deserve the body cavity searches, the stazi iron fist, the nazification of the free world. yep the american public will drop em and bend over as soon as the bad man who hates us is brought up. please save us, go ahead, put cameras in our homes, molest our children in public, tell us what to think and who to vote for, take our paychecks, o great protector government. george washington thinks you should be a slave, you have no guts, you have no spine, if you put up with this your not an american.

      Report Post »  
    • Rogue
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 7:25pm

      Janet doesn’t come out and say there is a high threat level unless she wants something. In this case, it’s the Patriot Act. Funny how just months ago everything was hunky-dory, and now it’s the end of the world sneaking up on them. Watch the other hand folks – power-grab time for the DHS.

      Report Post » Rogue  
    • Jovan2
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 7:48pm

      No coincidence……………Just stupidity on the part of the people who even listen to her dribble.
      Cut spending, eliminate Homeland Sec., Dept of Education, Enviromental Services, FDA, and any other of these do nothing agencies, who try to enact their own regulations without the approval of the American People!!!!…Besides……………what happened to all the rules and regulations that were going to be eliminated?????? Didn’t I just hear something about that a week or two ago?????? DUH!!

      Report Post »  
    • joseph Fawcett
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 8:03pm

      I agree we have been hearing this for a long time now. I think they want to try and scare us into giving up our liberties so that in the name of protection they can intrude into our lives more and more to keep us in line with the coming new world order.

      http://www.josephfawcettart.com Western artist

      Report Post » joseph Fawcett  
    • DisillusionedDaily
      Posted on February 9, 2011 at 9:04pm

      It will be really depressing if some of the people involved in the next terror plot come into the US across the unprotected southern border.

      Report Post » DisillusionedDaily  
    • enduro
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 8:22am

      Listen Billie Jean king look alike, Muslim extremist are crossing the border from Mexico everyday disquised as illegals yet you sit on your fat backside and do nothing. This is a warning to all! We will need military action asap. Why fly over when you can freakin walk over. Wake up people! This is not opinion, this is fact. Illegals are spouting off about it left and right, Our government knows about it but does nothing. write and call your congressman.

      Report Post » enduro  
    • Jackers
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 8:32am

      Janet Napolitano has been an abject failure as Head of Homeland “Security”… Through her ridiculous notion of “political correctness” and deliberate blind eye to our wide-open southern border and mass illegal immigration, we are all exposed to more and more terrorist threats each day…

      Report Post » Jackers  
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