How did the FBI "drop the ball"?

[kentuck]

Since we are now spending about $70-80 billion per year on Homeland Security, what was their responsibility? Isn't the CIA Director now under the Homeland Security Department?

The Republicans, of course, are looking for some way to blame President Obama for the lack of vigilance when the older bomber returned from Russia. Wasn't he questioned by the FBI last year?

I'm wondering what the Homeland Security is supposed to be doing if it falls on the FBI to monitor foreign travel and to know where he went and what he did when he went to Russia? I think they do not want to put their pet project (Homeland Security) under scrutiny?

[ignoramus_100]

1. I thought the same thing...

We spend oh so much on this stuff. But really how are they supposed to stop it? It is and will be impossible.

You are right to ask the question. And it's a question we should all really be asking. If we only spent so much time and money on the dispossessed.

Great question; again. Been wondering the same myself.

[hedgehog]

2. If the FBI investigates someone and doesn't find cause,

do we want it to keep monitoring that person?

[DURHAM D]

3. Did you mean FBI Director instead of CIA Director?

[kentuck]

5. No...

I don't know if the FBI is under Homeland Security also?

[DURHAM D]

6. CIA is not under Homeland Security as far as I know.

[kentuck]

7. I think I read that the CIA Director answers to the Head of Homeland Security?

I will need to double check that.

Here is more info: It seems they did take over some responsibilities from FBI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security

[DURHAM D]

8. The CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence.

That is definitely NOT Janet Napolitano.

[former9thward]

4. When a foreign government warns us about someone we should pay attention.

Especially when that person sends up a red flag by staying outside the U.S. for more than six continuous months. When you stay over 6 months outside the U.S. and you have a green card there is supposed to be an investigation why.

[jazzimov]

9. Supposedly, he was under investigation

for getting citizenship. As for the "warning" from Russia, I understand that he was interviewed by the FBI and nothing was found - at which time more info was requested from Russia which they couldn't or didn't supply.

So it looks like we DID "pay attention".

[treestar]

10. There's nothing to say they dropped the ball

There may have been nothing to predict how far this guy would go. It is very possible he harbored no evil intent back then. They'd have to monitor everybody. If he was getting worse, his family should have called again.

[kentuck]

11. I agree...

But that is what some Republicans want us to believe.

[treestar]

12. Republicans on the teepee

were demanding to know why they were in the country. Like a background check of a child of 8 will predict his future intent.

[dkf]

13. In late 2012 the FBI said Tamerlan was no threat...

Late last year, Homeland Security officials contacted the F.B.I. to learn more about its interview with Tamerlan Tsarnaev, federal law enforcement officials said. The F.B.I. reported its conclusion that he did not present a threat.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/us/tamerlan-tsarnaevs-citizenship-held-up-by-homeland-security.html?_r=0

Personally I think that something went a bit awry there.

[LisaL]

14. And yet here we are.

[upi402]

15. Obama used too many Bushits

shoulda cleaned house when he moved in.

He will be undermined and then blamed. The media will play along.

rinse
repeat

[dkf]

16. At the time of his death his application for US citizenship was still being considered.

"at the time of his death, his application for citizenship was still under review and was being investigated by federal law enforcement officials."

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/us/tamerlan-tsarnaevs-citizenship-held-up-by-homeland-security.html?_r=0