Out of an “abundance of caution,” the Department of Homeland Security made public a warning about a potential terrorist threat to New York City transit systems. Calling the information “plausible but unsubstantiated,” DHS sent what’s being characterized as a “blunt” warning to law-enforcement agencies:
Federal authorities are warning law enforcement personnel of a possible terror plot against the New York City subway system during the holiday season.
An internal memo obtained by The Associated Press says the FBI has received a “plausible but unsubstantiated” report that al-Qaida terrorists in late September may have discussed attacking the subway system.
FBI spokesman Richard Kolko confirmed only that his agency and the Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin last night to state and local authorities, and the information is being reviewed.
Department of Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the warning was issued as a routine matter, but added that there may be an increased police presence in New York and other large metropolitan areas.
The Big Apple has found itself the subject of similar warnings in the past. They’ve passed without incident, thankfully, which has led to some complacency on the part of Americans. Some accused the Bush administration of politicizing such warnings, coming near elections, but al-Qaeda’s MO in their attacks on the West have mostly been connected to elections.
Will people make the same accusations against Barack Obama? Hopefully it won’t be an issue, and hopefully the threat announced today will go unrealized.
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