President Bush says he opposes the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the government's response to intelligence warnings prior to the terrorist attacks. Mr. Bush emphasizes that these investigations should be conducted by congressional intelligence committees. He made these remarks today in a conversation with reporters in Berlin. A day earlier, Tom Daschle, the Democratic majority leader in the Senate, reiterated his request for an independent commission to investigate the extent of prior knowledge among government officials about the September 11 attacks. Mr. Bush defended his actions regarding the handling of intelligence before September 11, stating that if he had been aware of the impending hijackings, he would have taken every possible action to prevent the attacks.
President Bush Opposes Formation of Investigative Commission - 2002-05-23
President Bush has expressed his opposition to forming an independent commission to investigate the government's handling of intelligence warnings before the September 11 attacks, insisting that congressional committees should conduct such inquiries. This issue is significant as it reflects the ongoing debate over accountability and transparency in government actions related to national security.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
President Bush publicly opposed the formation of an independent commission to investigate the government's handling of intelligence before the September 11 attacks, suggesting that congressional committees should handle such inquiries. This stance was in response to calls from Senate leaders for greater accountability.
- Bush emphasized that he would have acted to prevent the attacks if he had prior knowledge.
- Daschle's request reflects a significant push for transparency and accountability in the aftermath of the attacks.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, there was significant public and political pressure for accountability regarding intelligence failures. The establishment of an independent commission was seen as a way to ensure thorough investigation.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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