Prepared Remarks of Attorney General

Alberto R. Gonzales at Announcement

of National Security Division at the
Department of Justice
March 13, 2006
Good morning.

As you know, last week the President signed legislation to reauthorize all of the
expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act and add dozens of additional
safeguards to protect Americans’ privacy and civil liberties.

In addition to the many provisions that will help us better protect the American
people, the legislation authorizes the Justice Department to establish a new National
Security Division.

Today, the President has announced that he intends to nominate Kenneth Wainstein
to serve as Assistant Attorney General for National Security. In addition, the Justice
Department has requested reprogramming funds from Congress to move forward in
standing up the National Security Division – that’s in addition to the 67 million
we’ve requested for the next fiscal year.

I am respectfully requesting that Congress move quickly – both on Ken’s

confirmation and on our reprogramming request – so that we can establish this
important new Division as soon as possible.

Since the attacks of September 11th, the federal government has taken a number of
steps to reorganize and improve our resources to better fight terrorism. Our enemy
is always changing and adapting…and so are we.

The National Security Division will bring under one umbrella the Department’s
primary national security elements, fulfilling a key recommendation of the WMD
Commission. We will bring together attorneys from the Counterterrorism and
Counterespionage Sections of the Criminal Division, as well as those from the
Office of Intelligence Policy and Review who specialize in the Foreign Surveillance
Intelligence Act. It is another step in eliminating the infamous “wall” between our
intelligence and law enforcement teams.
These dedicated public servants who will make up the NSD have been on the front
lines of the War on Terror, working around the clock since September 11th to
prosecute suspected terrorists and prevent another attack. Their successes have been
numerous and noteworthy – the “Portland Seven,” the “Lackawanna Six,” Richard
Reid, and others. They have made many sacrifices for the safety of the American
people, and our new National Security Division will provide them with additional
capacity to do their important job even better through increased coordination and
cooperation.

As I mentioned, once he is confirmed by the Senate, Ken Wainstein will lead the
NSD; he will also serve as the Department’s liaison to the Director of National
Intelligence.

Ken is the right man for the job. As U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, he
already plays an important role in our ongoing efforts to protect America and
preserve our cherished values and liberties. And his past work with law enforcement
as a senior official at the FBI, and with federal prosecutors as Director of the
Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys and as a long-time career prosecutor, gives him
a unique perspective on this new role.

As al-Qaeda promises new attacks, we must never tire from our efforts to adapt and
improve our ability to protect the American people. The National Security Division
will help us continue to make America safer.

Thank you.

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