Module 3 HLS 230

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Prof. Hammel Intel Sup/Pol Maker & Military (HLS-230-001) 10 December 2021 Combating Terrorism On 09/11/2001, three very meticulous and pre-planned terrorist attacks struck the United States (U.S.), and of the three attempted terrorist attacks on 09/11/2011, two were successful. One of the planes hit the Pentagon in Virginia, with two planes striking the twin towers in New York. The third attack was unsuccessful but still made an impact when it crashed in Pennsylvania, killing people from eighty-three nations on one flight. After the terrorist attacks on 09/11/2001, the U.S. and George W. Bush (GWB), felt that it needed to strengthen our homeland security against both domestic and foreign terrorists. This stance led to the created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which brought together twenty-two agencies under one umbrella, on 11/25/2002. Furthermore, several laws were written into law that many would come out against, and some even call contentious. Prior to 2001, the various agencies that would one day become DHS were scattered amongst other federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and Department of Justice. The thought process behind this action was to make America safer by securing its borders and infrastructure while coordinating efficient communication between government agencies. "DHS was approved as a federal agency in order to unify shared efforts and begin its journey as the largest reorganization of the federal government's responsibilities since World War II" ( Thoughtco ). The unification of all of the agencies was displayed not just to our allies but also to our foes. The United States would not be cowarding away when attacked but would come together to combat both foreign and domestic terrorism to protect our homeland. Along with the

2 gathering of the twenty-two agencies, a controversial legislative bill was quickly signed into law under the radar that would be modified numerous times over the years. The bill's purpose was to focus on terrorism and the prevention of any future homeland and foreign terrorist attacks. Many felt that the bill was very aggressive, but the times called for such action. When the bill was going through the process of being passed, there was a lone senator against the bill as a whole, and that was Russ Feingold. Russ Feingold went as far as attempting to warn the United States citizens about section 215. After Russ Feingold voted against the bill, he stated that, "Expressing concern that critical information about the way it was being used hadn't been released, information that I believe would have a significant impact on the debate. Information about the use of Section 215 orders that I believe Congress and the American people deserve to know before we decide whether and in what form to extend these authorities, Congress and the American people deserve to know at least basic information about how they have been used" ( Friedersdorf ). Although he was against the bill, it passed almost instantaneously due in large part to the terrorist attacks. The bill allowed for transparency and open communication between the federal, state, and intelligence communities. Regarding any intelligence information about terrorists. There were ten key components of the Patriot Act, four of which were Information Sharing, "Sneak and Peek" warrants, Roving Wire Taps, and Access to Records. The bill allowed for transparency and open communication between the federal, state, and intelligence communities. Regarding any intelligence information about terrorists. There were ten critical components of the Patriot Act, four of which were Information Sharing, "Sneak and Peek" warrants, Roving Wire Taps, and Access to Records. "Sneak and Peek" warrants allows for "delayed notice" of searches for all businesses and homes without properly notifying any individual. Many people believed that investigators

3 already had the power to conduct secret covert probes into a potential domestic and foreign terrorist without their knowledge. The Patriot Act also allows the use of the "Sneak and Peek" warrant to be authorized for any crime, no matter how minor it may be. Information Sharing is a vital part of the Patriot Act. It allows for sharing information between agencies both at the federal and state level about criminal and intelligence investigations. Before 09/11/2001, there was minimal information shared between agencies that many feel led to the terrorist acts that could have been prevented. For example, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had direct knowledge of two of the terrorist as they had made prior attacks but did not share the information with the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) until a month before the terrorist attacks. Several existing procedures hindered the sharing of information, which led many to speculate that investigators were impeded by their ability to share intelligence information. Roving Wire Taps provides the ability to use one wiretap authorization on various devices disregarding the need for separate authorization. Roving Wiretaps can be used concurrently on PC, telephone, and any other device they feel necessary. This provides the government to deal with the most technologically polished terrorist. Access to Records gives investigators the wherewithal to obtain any records during a foreign intelligence investigation. Investigators have access to all business records, books, papers, and other critical sought-after documents connected to any ongoing terror investigation. Furthermore, there are many reasons why senators favored the Patriot Act and were ok with some of the restrictions that they faced with the bill. For instance, before the Patriot Act, telephone wiretaps were challenging to obtain, and authorities had to obtain a court's permission

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4 to tap a phone. Ant the warrant had to be "particularized" to a given instrument, reflecting the days when most people had just one phone. Cell phones made this narrow rule obsolete. The Patriot Act changed this requirement to attach warrants to a suspect rather than one of his instruments. It merely allowed the law to catch up with the advancement of technological development that had begun to boom and usher in a new era. September 2001 changed the world, but more importantly, it changed how the U.S. protected its homeland from terrorists both foreign and domestically. DHS was not a thought prior to 9/11. However, after the attacks on our homeland, it forced then-President George W. Bush to unite various Federal departments into one to make America safer. The Patriot Act changed how terrorism was combated and brought enhanced and some new laws in the fight against terrorism. How far has the U.S. come since the attacks on 9/11 in the fight against terrorism foreign and domestically is a question that many have asked in recent years? Many would say not far with the increase of the domestic terrorist and the increased sophistication of how foreign terrorists carry out attacks. Laws created after 9/11 are needed to allow the government to even the playing field when combatting terrorism. Nevertheless, more importantly, a strong government is critical to combating terrorism both domestically and foreign but more importantly to carry out the fight. Works Cited Https://Www.Thoughtco.Com/Department-of-Homeland-Security-4156795 .

5 Friedersdorf, Conor. “Russ Feingold Tried to Warn Us About Section 215 of the Patriot Act.” The Atlantic , 14 June 2013, https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/06/russ-feingold- tried-to-warn-us-about-section-215-of-the-patriot-act/276878/ . "USA PATRIOT Act - Reauthorizations." Encyclopedia Britannica , https://www.britannica.com/topic/USA-PATRIOT-Act.

Module 3 HLS 230

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