Return to Transcripts main page

At This Hour

Pentagon Rises Security Threat Level; FBI Director Says More Americans Radicalized Online by ISIS; Thousands Honor Fallen NYPD Cop. Aired 11-11:30a ET

Aired May 08, 2015 - 11:00   ET

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

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

[11:00:13] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. I'm John Berman. Kate Bolduan is off today.

We do have breaking news. Just moments ago, we learned that the Pentagon has raised the security threat level at U.S. military bases. Raised the threat level. As of now, it's threat level Bravo, meaning increase in predictable threat of terrorism. The question is why? There is new growing concern about the threat from ISIS and other jihadists. The FBI director announced that thousands of people in the U.S. are suspected of being radicalized online in direct contact with ISIS or other terror groups. Yes, thousands of people. James Comey says it's more and more difficult to keep track of these people.

Let's bring in CNN Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr.

Barbara, first of all, explain to me these new security measures and what's behind them.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, John. The measure orders signed last night by Admiral William Gortney, the head of the U.S. Northern Command, that's part of the military that oversees every security measure and military bases across the United States. Force Protection Bravo. As you say, this means, the definition by the Pentagon, increased a predictable threat of terrorism.

Now, what Northern Command officials are telling me AT THIS HOUR, they do not have a specific and credible threat. It is this environment that they now feel that they are in. They know what Director Comey has been saying at the FBI. They understand what is happening here that the environment is thousands of Americans now online communicating with ISIS, the environment of violent homegrown extremism, that is what they feel they are dealing with.

You have to remember, U.S. military bases are part of communities across this country. They do not live in isolation. This is something that is a security measure that protects the bases, protects military personnel, but also basically raises awareness in communities across this country.

What could it look like to have these new measures in place? You may see long lines going in the gate if you have a base in your town, 100 percent I.D. checks, 100 percent vehicle checks, more armed military personnel at guard posts, more people on duty. Some military bases such as Ft. Hood, Texas, tens of thousands of people go in and out of those gates every day. That is a life blood of that community in Texas. So none of this exists in isolation. This is part of the environment. One military official saying to me this is the new normal for part of the U.S. military to raise security and be unpredictable about how they do it in order to keep these potential bad guys off kilter -- John?

BERMAN: Just to be clear, this is not standing up the military on these bases per se. This is for their protection out of fear that they, on these bases, could become targets. We have seen these types of things before, attempts before at U.S. military bases, domestic attempts, Barbara.

Obviously, this was a decision based on new information. We heard the FBI Director James Comey say there are thousands of people in the United States in direct contact online with ISIS. Would the Pentagon do this in a vacuum? Do you suspect this is administration-wide move? Will we see other measures across the board in terms of law enforcement?

STARR: I think that's a pretty safe assumption. The Pentagon would not be doing this in total isolation unless they had some very direct specific threat against the United States military. The sense that you get from talking to people is this trend of violent homegrown extremism. The targets are U.S. communities and U.S. military bases, U.S. military personnel, potentially even their families in these communities. These are the kind of targets.

This military order came just hours after FBI Director Comey made those statements about thousands of Americans, thousands of people in the United States potentially being online with extremist elements overseas. That is nothing that got past the U.S. military. They are well aware of the threat. They work constantly with federal and local law enforcement across the country. This is really supposed to be a seamless effort if you will. Since 9/11 that all elements of government, federal, state, local, work together. The military, again, military intelligence, part of that fabric, part of the fabric of the American community. So they work very closely with them.

I think it is very fair to say the head of the Admiral William Gortney, head of U.S. Northern Command, saw the intelligence briefings and sees the trend and sees the kinds of information that has the FBI director concerned and has come to the conclusion that U.S. military bases need to be part of this new normal. They have not been at this level, this Bravo level, generally since about the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Things had been going backward to a more normalized state, if you will. Now expect this for some time to come to be what the U.S. military is calling the new normal for security at their bases -- John?

[11:05:46] BERMAN: Barbara, standby.

I want to bring in Tom Fuentes, CNN analyst and former assistant director of the FBI. Tom, we suspect this is based, this move by the Pentagon at bases

across the country, it is based at least in part on these comments by the FBI director, James Comey, who says thousands of people in the United States now in direct contact at least online with ISIS and other jihadists.

TOM FUENTES, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: I think, John, that Director Comey has been saying this for a long time. He's had pressers over the last few months where there are active investigations in all 50 states of the United States that they are constantly picking up people who are on their way to try to join ISIS or have expressed a desire to do an attack here without leaving. I think they made more than 60 or 70 arrests in the last year and a half. This is a constant drum beat of people expressing direct support or saying they would like to think about doing something. They are trying to determine the aspirational from the operational and they're trying to determine who has been radicalized and who hasn't. Colonel Hasan was a trusted member of the military within Ft. Hood when he killed 13 fellow soldiers. As Barbara mentioned, Ft. Hood is a medium-sized city. It's the size of Peoria, Illinois. So if you have to worry about outsider attacking the perimeter gates, insiders being radicalized in attacking fellow soldiers or sailors or airmen, it's a tough situation for all.

BERMAN: It's a big task.

Also joining us right now, Bob Baer, CNN consultant and also a former CIA official. Michael Weiss is with us, CNN analyst.

Bob Baer, this move came last night. The military decided to raise the threat level as its bases now. The question is what is new? What new information does the Pentagon have, do U.S. security officials have that made this move so essential, Bob?

BOB BAER, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: John, you have it put it in context of Garland, Texas, the attack on the cartoon exhibition. The FBI has always been worried that these, would be jihadist would flip the switch in their heads, obtain a gun and go after targets. I think it's almost certain that the military has picked up some chatter either on social media or telephones that the next target is the military. This is something they can't ignore. I doubt it's a specific threat. No longer can we ignore these threats. They are on full alert. The problem is defending these big sprawling bases or American soldiers in uniform walking around because they would all be targets.

BERMAN: They are big things taking up huge areas of land in so many states across the country.

Michael Weiss, I want to bring you in right now.

I think in some ways what happened in Garland, Texas, was overshadowed by the target. There was this controversy about the fact it was a contest to draw cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, and I think people may have lost sight that, in some ways, this was one of the first ISIS-inspired terror attacks on U.S. soil. Do you think that fact in and of itself contributes now to this raised threat level at bases around the country?

MICHAEL WEISS, CNN ANALYST & AUTHOR: It was the first attack that got as far as it did. For the past four or five months, I think a month hasn't gone by where there wasn't been a counterterrorism operation or FBI operation that has snared what would be an ISIS-inspired terrorist. There was recently talk about military bases. There was a case here -- I live in New York in Brooklyn -- of a couple of Uzbek jihadis in Brooklyn, if you read the complaint, that had the idea of perhaps joining the U.S. military and then doing a Hasan-type massacre, a Ft. Hood-type massacre. So absolutely, the military is vulnerable. Let's not also forget that ISIS has hacked into CENTCOM's Twitter feed. There was the releasing of private information, including home addresses, of retired military officials, the level of colonel and even general. ISIS would love nothing better than to get a hold and inflict casualties or fatalities or active or former members of the of the U.S. armed services. To them, they see it -- recall the horrific staging of the James Foley beheading and got him to say, "My brother is in the U.S. Air Force. He's the one responsible for this act, my death." They consider this a war against all levels of the United States and, for them, it would be soldier for soldier.

[11:10:29] BERMAN: Barbara Starr, I got a note from our colleague, Evan Perez, who sent me a note saying that the tone in what the FBI director said yesterday, James Comey, you could tell by the tone of what he was saying that something was different. This was a new concern or at least the scope of the concern was something they haven't seen before.

STARR: Well, I think that's right. It goes back to what some of the other people on the panel have been saying about, how do you physically protect 100 percent a U.S. military installation that is so large and has so many people coming in and out? Here where I'm standing inside the Pentagon, perhaps no better example. 20,000-plus people work here every day. The Pentagon sits in Washington, D.C., a busy metropolitan area. The Washington, D.C., subway stops right here at the Pentagon. People can get off the subway. They will come to a security perimeter but they will be -- this is public information. They'll be pretty darn close to the building. And here at the Pentagon while we don't talk about the precise security measures, as we don't at the White House because of the concern, I can tell you that for the last two years you see security being changed up almost every day, several times a week. They change security perimeter and how they conduct I.D. checks and how they interact with people coming in and out of the building.

It is fair to say what the military is looking for is to raise security but also do it in a random unpredictable fashion. Because they are on fixed installations, their advantage is, if they can be random and unpredictable and keep potential attackers off guard, that's the advantage they're looking for. It's clear that this order signed last night is because they feel they are in this new normal, this new environment of the violent radical homegrown extremism -- John?

BERMAN: So from a practical standpoint, what will this mean on bases? What will it feel like to be military personnel on these bases?

Let's bring in retired Lieutenant Colonel James Reese.

Colonel, thank you for being with us.

Colonel, what do you think the differences are that will now be in place at these military bases now that the security threat level has been raised?

LT. COL. JAMES REESE, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: John, good morning. You know, the biggest thing for the military folks on these bases is they know that their awareness has to go up. And the military and others use a red, amber and green zone that people sit in. The problem is when you raise these alert levels it really puts everyone in the red zone. You are being aware and understanding what happens as you come on and off post. But you can't live in that type of zone your entire life. So like the other panel said, there was some chatter out there. And what you'll see is the military does this very, very well. Yes, they have large bases but they know how to protect them and they change things up.

BERMAN: Colonel, it's not just the military that lives on these bases. There are family member as well. What's it like to live under these conditions?

REESE: It becomes troublesome sometimes. It's like being in Washington, D.C., at rush hour. It becomes a risky area coming on and off. For the families, they've been through this before. They know it. They've been living in this type of environment. And they're the ones that support and understand. And the families understand vigilance just as well as the soldiers do.

BERMAN: Colonel James Reese, Barbara Starr, Michael Weiss, Bob Baer, Tom Fuentes, thank you for being with us.

Stick around. We're following the breaking news. Again, the security threat level has been raised at military bases across the country. There have been new concerns raised about contacts by people in the United States at least online with members of ISIS and other jihadist groups overseas. We'll stay on this and bring you new information as it develops.

In the meantime, it's one of the most solemn ceremonies that exist. Look at this. Thousands lining up to honor an officer killed in the line of duty. These are live pictures. Brian Moore was 25 years old. He was murdered on the job. His funeral is now under way.

Also, we have a breaking story. A small plane crashes on a major Atlanta highway. We'll tell you what happened and what's now happening on those roads. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:18:36] BERMAN: You're looking at live pictures right now that are both overwhelming in their strength and their sadness. Thousands of police officers from around the country are gathering to honor Brian Moore. 25-year-old New York City cop gunned down in the line of duty. A police officer friend of mine wrote, "At every roll call, every cop knows the tour could end like this. They stand any way."

Brian Moore stood every day earning two exceptional police service medals. He stood the day that he and another officer noticed a man adjust something in his waistband. They pulled up behind him. And police say the suspect opened fire before officers had a chance to fire back. These are very, very moving images.

CNN's Jean Casarez joins us live from this funeral in Seaford, Long Island -- Jean?

[11:19:25] JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, it's a solemn moment. They're in the middle of the procession. We are seeing live pictures of that. There are thousands upon thousands of police officers here to honor this very young officer. They are all in their formal attire. I see officers saluting now as the hearse brings the casket to the church. What began minutes ago was a motorcade of motorcycles, hundreds of officers on motorcycles began that procession. And then we saw the color guard come in and now we are hearing the drums as that hearse is being brought into St. James Roman Catholic Church.

There are officers from around the country here to honor this young man. JetBlue flew them in for free if they wanted to come.

We're learning more about him. His entire family is law enforcement. His father a retired NYPD sergeant. His uncle, his cousins, he's just beginning his career and as you said, he was on patrol.

He was part of the anti-crime unit. He was in his unmarked car with his partner. Saw someone fiddling at their waist as if they were trying to get something out or arrange something. He just asked the person. What are you doing with your waistband? That was all it took. Out came a gun and allegedly three shots into the car. Three shots coming out of the car. One shot hitting officer Brian Moore in the head and he died on Monday of this week.

I was talking to NYPD officers here. They said when someone is fiddling and rearranging at the waist level, not the pockets, but the waist level, that you are authorized to pull a gun and you are authorized to shoot. For whatever reason he did not. We are now celebrating his life with his funeral to begin at 11:00.

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton is here along with the mayor of New York City standing out in front of the church. Also Senator Chuck Schumer is here. Senator Peter King is here. And many civilians wanted to be here. I asked them why? Why did you want to come? They said we want to honor his family. That's why we're here today -- John?

BERMAN: All right, Jean, thanks so much.

Joining me now to talk about this, former NYPD detective and law enforcement consultant, Tom V; and also joining us, Eugene O'Donnell, a former NYPD officer who teaches at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Tom, as we're watching this, I'm struck by how many officers from how many places come to be a part of this. We're watching right now as the casket is being taken out of the car. Tom, you told me you didn't know this officer. You don't know his family. You went to his wake yesterday. Why is it so important to you?

TOM VERNI, NYPD DETECTIVE & LAW ENFORCEMENT CONSULTANT: I was there all afternoon yesterday. It was packed. The showing of support that came out yesterday was very moving and it was so sad because you wouldn't -- you can't even look the family in the face.

BERMAN: Let's just watch.

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. (INAUDIBLE)

May the spirit be with all of you.

And with your spirit. (INAUDIBLE)

May he now share with you eternal glory.

Please join in singing number 431, "Be Not Afraid."

[11:26:04] (SINGING)

BERMAN: You're watching the funeral service for Officer Brian Moore. Just 25 years old gunned down in the line of duty.

I'm joined by a former detective, John Verni; and also with us is former NYPD police officer, Eugene O'Donnell.

Tom, you were telling me you went to the wake yesterday. Some 30,000 officers from around the country are here. Why is this so important to be observant on a fallen officer?

[11:28:55] VERNI: We've been talking about it since it occurred, Baltimore, Charleston, Ferguson, all events are questionable and raised suspicion about police-community relations and what police can and can't do. This is the reality of what police are doing every day. Police are out there taking guns off the street. Their life is threatened day in and day out. Those are stories we don't hear about all that often. This is the result of some of these mutants running around our streets with guns that shouldn't be in possession of them. They should be in jail like this guy should have been. It's just an unbelievable tragedy that, a, this guy should have been in jail for the rest of his life to begin with and never out on the street never having a gun and then on the second part of it is this young man, 25 years of age, just still in the very beginning of his career who happened to be a fantastic police officer doing the right thing, seeing someone that looked suspicious, doing something suspicious and potentially looking to take the gun off the street and he becomes the victim of that firearm. It's the tragic irony of guns in America and of felons walking around with these weapons.

[11:30:04] In New York City, we've had five police officers shot in the last five months, three of which have been killed. And all three of those were killed in an assassination-type style by these creeps walking around with weapons.