FBI Probe Nearly Caused Rise in Terror Threat Level

Sept. 30, 2009 — -- Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said today that the Department of Homeland Security considered raising the nation's terrorism threat level as officials began to learn about Najibullah Zazi's alleged bomb plot, but did not because little information was known about the intended targets or timing.

Appearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Napolitano said the DHS reviewed raising the threat level as the Zazi case was unfolding.

"We thought about it and rejected it, because we didn't have in the Zazi investigation any kind of the specific location time that, in our view, would justify actually raising the color code," Napolitano said.

Asked by Sens. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, about the process, Napolitano said, "It was contemplated and ... rejected, given the nature of the investigation and the nature of the intel that we had."

Earlier this month, a task force appointed by Napolitano was split on whether to keep the current Homeland Security advisory system, also known as "the color code."

Napolitano is reviewing the task force's report and conferring with other agencies on proceeding before making a recommendation to the president on the issue.

At the beginning of the hearing, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III said of the unfolding nature of the Zazi case, "We do not believe there is an imminent threat."