Threat warning creates confusion over homeland security roles

The Justice Department’s warning this week of threats of upcoming terrorist attacks has ignited a controversy over which federal agencies are responsible for homeland security efforts and whether congressional hearings are needed to snuff out turf battles. People inside and outside government said Friday that the way Attorney General John Ashcroft announced the warning was “scary,” “unbelievable” and “confusing.” In a press conference Wednesday with FBI Director Robert Mueller, Ashcroft said “credible intelligence from multiple sources indicates that al Qaeda plans to attempt an attack on the United States in the next few months.” Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge was notably absent from the event, and his department has not issued any public advisories in response to the warning. Full Story