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CNN Live Today

Mueller Pitches Revamped FBI to Congress

Aired June 21, 2002 - 14:13   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In Washington, FBI Director Robert Mueller is on the hot seat on Capitol Hill today, laying out his plans to revamp the bureau to better fight the war on terrorism.

CNN congressional correspondent Kate Snow joins us now with the latest on the hearings -- hi, there, Kate.

KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.

Well, Director Mueller has made it very clear to Congress today, as he has for the last several weeks, that in the aftermath of September 11, he said there's no doubt the FBI has to change itself, it has to reorganize. And he's proposed a sweeping plan to do that, and that's what's being talked about today on the Hill.

Among the plans that he has, moving 518 agents who are currently doing other things like, for example, drug enforcement, moving them over to now fight against terrorism. One hundred and fifty counter- terrorism agents who already work against terrorism out in the field would move to Washington, D.C. to headquarters. They'd create flying squads, so-called flying squads, which would respond to emergency situations, be able to zoom into a situation and take control.

A national joint terrorism task force would be formed here in Washington. That's an effort not just with the FBI, but involving the CIA and some other agencies like the INS and having many people in one room so that they can coordinate.

And finally, recruiting more agents, analysts and translators for the FBI. That, Mr. Mueller saying, is very important because they have shortages in that area.

Now, the General Accounting Office, which is the investigative arm of Congress, also today, in conjunction with this hearing, released a report on what they think of Mueller's plan. Now, they conclude that he may need even more agents than he thinks he needs later on to truly be effective.

Fredricka, you had asked a couple hours ago whether Mr. Mueller was asked about recruiting all these new people that he wants to hire, some 900 new agents they want to hire. He was later on asked about that this afternoon and there was some concern about that and will they be able to find enough people with skills, the kind of skills they need, the kind of language abilities they need. Mueller responded to that by saying yes. In fact, they've already gotten 47,000 applications since February when they announced they needed more people. Mueller also was asked about retraining the people that they're shifting over into counter-terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT MUELLER, FBI DIRECTOR: I think a great deal of the training was accomplished in September 11, unfortunately. I don't believe there's an agent out there that doesn't understand the importance of uncovering any piece of information, not necessarily evidence, but information that might be helpful in preventing another terrorist attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: One other concern raised today, Fredricka, by the GAO and by other members of Congress is about technology. The head of the GAO saying in his testimony that, OK, you can hire all the people that you want, all the new agents you want, but if you don't have adequate technology, it's not going to make any difference -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, thank you very much, Kate Snow on Capitol Hill.

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