The United States on Friday launches a new federal department charged with protecting the nation, 16 months after suicide hijackers attacked America and sparked a war on terrorism and the biggest government revamp in 50 years. Although it has yet to have a permanent home, the newly created Department of Homeland Security officially comes into existence, with Tom Ridge at the helm of what will become the third-largest Cabinet department. Ridge, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, will oversee the 170,000-employee department that merges all or parts of 22 federal agencies into one charged with preventing future attacks and minimizing damage from any that do occur. Some critics say the agency is too big to work effectively, and a looming war with Iraq has likely diverted some resources — like military intelligence — from the homeland effort. Full Story
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