FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              CONTACT: John Donnelly
December 29, 2009                                                                                 (202) 225-2276 

Burton Calls For DHS Sec. Napolitano's Resignation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement about the security failures surrounding al Qaeda operative Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's terrorist attack on Northwest Flight 253 on Christmas Day:

“The details surrounding Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s attempt to kill hundreds of Americans on Northwest Flight 253 amount to what is a phenomenal breach of security.  This al Qaeda operative offered no shortage of red flags, but none caught the eye of intelligence and security officials.  Reports indicated that the laundry list of warning signs includes Mr. Abdulmutallab, who was on the terrorist watch list, buying a one-way ticket with cash, not checking any luggage, and boarding the flight without a passport.   Most shocking, his father told the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, weeks ago, that his son had been radicalized and is dangerous.

"The fact that this security breach occurred in such a brazen way means that there was a level of significant incompetence involved, and I believe that rests solely on the shoulders of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.  After serving on the Foreign Affairs Committee for the last 25 years, I can say with certainty that Secretary Napolitano does not have the background or experience necessary to execute her responsibilities.  Her bizarre remarks on Sunday were the final straw in a series of embarrassing and incompetent comments this year.   By saying ‘the system worked,’ Secretary Napolitano has undermined the confidence of Americans.

"The ‘system’ most assuredly did not work. This is the second time in two months that obvious warning signs were ignored, enabling an attack. The system is broken and regardless of the White House forcing Secretary Napolitano to go on an apology tour, I believe the only course of action is for the Secretary to either resign or be replaced with someone competent and able to protect the lives of the American people.  The American people must have confidence in their government’s ability to combat the constant threat of terrorism. 

"Finally, I have learned from Republicans on the relevant committees that the Obama Administration has once again stonewalled them from information about the attack on Flight 253.  With the Administration also excluding Republicans from information about the Ft. Hood shooting, a dangerous pattern of politicizing intelligence information has emerged.  This is an irresponsible and petty tactic, which has prevented the whole Congress from working to augment our national security efforts.”

###