Intelligence Director Outlines Policy on American Terrorists

By Stephen Kopko

Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON D.C., United States - As threats of terrorist action against the United States have increased over the past year, Director of National Intelligence Denis Blair was questioned by the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee on Wednesday. Blair confirmed that more U.S. citizens have become targets for intelligence operations because of their actions taken against the U.S. He stated that intelligence agencies may kill those Americans involved in terroristic groups.

During the open hearing conducted by the Intelligence Committee, Blair stated that United States intelligence agencies had the authority to kill U.S. citizens who "are taking action that threatens Americans." Blair stated that if and when intelligence officials take such course of action, they would do so according to "defined policy and legal procedures." Blair believed that U.S. citizens needed to know that the intelligence community was involved in such actions. He also outlined two factors in assessing whether such action would be taken. Those factors are the terrorist organization the American belongs to as well as whether they threaten the lives of other Americans. Also, he stated that Americans would not be targeted because of free speech. Blair stated that specific permission needs to be granted to carry out the course of action.

Congressman Peter Hoekstra was concerned over the targeted killing of U.S. citizens. He questioned Blair on the practice and procedure of taking such action. Hoekstra stated that the action was a "sensitive issue," and expressed concern regarding the legal framework in which the practice could be used. 

The intelligence hearing and the questioning on the targeting of Americans in terroristic organizations is in response to growing threats upon the security of the U.S. by its own citizens. Most recently, Anwar al-Aulaqi, a U.S. citizen who became a leading official in Al-Qaeda, is accused of influencing the Christmas day bomber. The Yemeni-American has also participated in meetings with the Al-Qaeda and has been linked to the Army Major who murdered thirteen people at the U.S. Army Base in Fort Hood, Texas.

For more information, please see:

Washington Post - Intelligence Chief Acknowledges U.S. May Target Americans Involved in Terrorism - 4 February 2010

ABC News - License to Kill? Intelligence Chief Says U.S. Can Take Out American Terrorists - 3 February 2010

Reuters - Spy Agencies Can Target Americans - 3 February 2010

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