dictionary

Ashcroft vows changes to focus on terrorism prevention

Attorney General John Ashcroft

By Terry Frieden
CNN Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorney General John Ashcroft said Thursday the September 11 terrorist attacks have forced the Justice Department to redefine its mission, and warned his "wartime reorganization" means the Department will no longer do "everything we once did."

Nearly two months after the attacks on the United States, Ashcroft redefined the department's mission.

In a speech to hundreds of key employees, Ashcroft delivered a single-minded address signaling a shifting of priorities and resources in the coming year.

"Defending our nation and its citizens against terrorist attacks is now our first and overriding priority," Ashcroft proclaimed.

The attorney general did not say which programs and divisions would be diminished or abolished, but made clear he envisions dramatic change. He called for 10 percent of the $20-plus billion budget to be shifted to the anti-terrorism fight.

"We must focus on our core mission and responsibilities, understanding that the department will not be all things to all people," he said. "We cannot do everything we once did because lives now depend on us doing a few things very well," he said.

Aschroft's half hour speech did not mention civil rights, tobacco, antitrust, juvenile crime, drugs, immigration or other issues which had attracted the attention of top Justice policy advisers prior to September 11.

Justice officials scheduled a briefing later in the day to explain the restructuring plan.

FBI officials, who asked not to be identified, said FBI Director Robert Mueller had anticipated the changes, and was already working on plans to implement the new focus.

"Mueller met with the top people from all the FBI offices this week and discussed with them ways to redeploy our resources," said one FBI executive. "In addition, we're at the same time working on a more effective management scheme."

The FBI was the only Justice agency mentioned by the attorney general in his speech Thursday. Other major Justice law enforcement agencies include the INS, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Marshals Service.

Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson sounded a similar theme in addressing the packed auditorium of Justice employees.

"Our overriding priority is to ensure that all necessary and appropriate steps are taken to protect the American people, to prevent further attacks, and to disrupt terrorist cells before they can do more harm -- even if it means potentially compromising a criminal prosecution," Thompson said.

One major change will be to transfer 10 percent of all employees who are in the department's Washington headquarters out to the field, Ashcroft said, without giving many details.

"The war on terrorism will not be fought in Washington but in the field, by agents, prosecutors, investigators and analysts," Ashcroft said.