Tenth public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States held its tenth public hearing April 13-14, in Washington, DC. The two-day hearing examined the performance of law enforcement and the Intelligence Community prior to September 11 and evaluated post-9/11 reforms in these areas.

The Commission heard from current and former top-level officials from our nation’s law enforcement and intelligence communities. Attorney General John Ashcroft, Director of Central Intelligence George J. Tenet, and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III testified before the Commission, as well as former Attorney General Janet Reno, former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh, and former Acting FBI Director Thomas J. Pickard. In addition to witness testimony, four staff statements were delivered during the course of the proceedings.

In announcing the hearing, Commission Chair, Thomas H. Kean stated: “This hearing will focus on four important questions: How was our government structured before 9/11 to address the terrorist threat inside the United States? What was the threat in 2001 and our government’s response to it? How did the Intelligence Community address the threat? What reforms have been taken since 9/11 to respond to the terrorist threat inside the United States, and what have these reforms achieved? These questions are at the core of the Commission’s mandate.”

“We want to understand what went wrong, and what steps have been taken to make the American people safer and more secure,” said Commission Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton. He added, “These hearings will help us clarify issues and choices as we move toward recommendations and our final report in July.”

Archived Video and Transcripts

Hearing Agenda

"Law Enforcement and the Intelligence Community"
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
9:00 AM	Opening Statement by Chairman Thomas H. Kean
9:05 - 9:30 AM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 9 Law Enforcement, Counterterrorism, and Intelligence Collection in the United States Prior to 9/11
9:30 - 11:00 AM	The Honorable Louis J. Freeh Former Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Submitted Testimony
11:00 - 12:30 PM	The Honorable Janet Reno Former Attorney General of the United States Submitted Testimony
12:30 - 1:30 PM	Break
1:30 - 2:00 PM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 10 Threats and Responses in 2001
2:00 - 3:30 PM	PANEL: SUMMER 2001 Mr. Thomas J. Pickard Former Acting Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Submitted Testimony Ambassador J. Cofer Black Former Director, Counterterrorism Center, Central Intelligence Agency Submitted Testimony
3:30 - 4:45 PM	The Honorable John Ashcroft Attorney General of the United States Submitted Testimony
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
9:00 - 9:30 AM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 11 The Performance of the Intelligence Community
9:30 - 11:00 AM	The Honorable George J. Tenet Director of Central Intelligence Submitted Testimony
11:00 - 1:00 PM	PANEL: PREVENTING FUTURE ATTACKS INSIDE THE UNITED STATES Mr. John O. Brennan Director, Terrorist Threat Integration Center Submitted Testimony Lieutenant General Patrick M. Hughes Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Submitted Testimony Mr. John S. Pistole Executive Assistant Director for Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence, Federal Bureau of Investigation Submitted Testimony Mr. James L. Pavitt Deputy Director of Operations, Central Intelligence Agency Submitted Testimony
1:00 - 2:00 PM	BREAK
2:00 - 2:30 PM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 12 Reforming Law Enforcement, Counterterrorism, and Intelligence Collection in the United States
2:30 - 4:30 PM	PANEL: FBI LEADERSHIP AND INITIATIVES POST-9/11 The Honorable Robert S. Mueller III Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Submitted Testimony FBI Report Ms. Maureen Baginski Executive Assistant Director for Intelligence, Federal Bureau of Investigation
4:30 PM	Hearing concludes. Press Availability to follow.