*Administration of Barack H. Obama, 2010 *

**Memorandum on the Attempted Terrorist Attack on December 25, 2009: Intelligence, Screening, and Watchlisting System Corrective Actions **

*January 7, 2010 *

*Memorandum for the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary Energy, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of National Intelligence, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Director of the National Security Agency, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center *

*Subject:* Attempted Terrorist Attack on December 25, 2009: Intelligence, Screening, and Watchlisting System Corrective Actions

After receiving the conclusions of the White House-led review of the U.S. watchlisting system and the performance of the intelligence, homeland security, and law enforcement communities as related to the attempt to bring down a Detroit-bound flight on December 25 by detonating an explosive device, and a Department of Homeland Security-led review on Aviation Screening, Technology and Procedures; I have concluded that immediate actions must be taken to enhance the security of the American people. These actions are necessary given inherent systemic weakness and human errors revealed by the review of events leading up to December 25th. They also are required to ensure that standards, practices, and business processes that have been in place since the aftermath of 9/11 are appropriately robust to address the evolving terrorist threat facing our Nation in the coming years.

*Department of State *

*Department of Homeland Security *

*Director of National Intelligence *

*The Central Intelligence Agency *

*Federal Bureau of Investigation/Terrorist Screening Center *

*National Counterterrorism Center *

*National Security Agency *

*National Security Staff *

I have designated my Assistant for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan to be the responsible and accountable White House official to ensure rapid progress is made in all areas. A monthly status report on actions underway should be submitted to be through Mr. Brennan. In addition, I am directing Mr. Brennan to work with departments and agencies and the Office of Management and Budget on resource requirements that are necessary to address the shortcomings uncovered by our review. Finally, I will ask my Intelligence Advisory Board to look at broader analytic and intelligence issues associated with this incident, including how to meet the challenge associated with exploiting the ever-increasing volume of information available to the Intelligence Community. As we go forward, it is imperative that we work together to correct problems highlighted by this incident, focusing on concrete solutions. We are all responsible for the safety and security of the American people and must redouble our efforts to be effective in carrying out this solemn responsibility.

BARACK OBAMA

*Categories:* Communications to Federal Agencies : Intelligence, screening, and watchlisting system, memorandum on corrective actions following the December 25, 2009, attempted terrorist attack*.*

*Names:* Brennan, John O.

*Subjects:* Aviation : Advanced airport security systems and technologies, development and funding; Aviation : Air travel security measures, expansion; Aviation : Airport security detection capabilities, review; Central Intelligence Agency; Defense and national security : Intelligence; Homeland Security, Department of : Aviation screening and security systems, international cooperation efforts; Intelligence Advisory Board, President's; Intelligence, Office of the Director of National : Director of National Intelligence; Justice, Department of : Bureau of Investigation, Federal; Security Agency, National; State, Department of : Enhanced visa screening for people with connections to terrorists and terrorist groups; Terrorism : Christmas Day 2009 airline bombing attempt; Terrorism : Counterterrorism Center, National; Terrorism : Counterterrorism efforts; Terrorism : Global threat; Terrorism : September 11, 2001, attacks; Terrorism : Terrorist watch lists, procedural review; White House Office : Assistants to the President :: Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201000009.