The U.S. will modify its warning system to alert citizens and companies about terrorist threats, replacing a two-tiered system with one it says is better suited to modern threats such as the attacks in California last week.
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‘We need a system that adequately informs the public at large… about what we are seeing, what we are doing and what we are asking the public to do about it, ‘ Johnson said.
The U.S. needs a system that better informs the public about terror threats, Johnson said, instead of through news leaks of joint intelligence bulletins or leaks from anonymous government officials. The much maligned color-coded system was replaced in 2011 by the National Threat Advisory System, which was never activated.
Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik were killed in an exchange of fire with police several hours later.
Nader Hashemi, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver, says the timing of the announcement shows the significance of the San Bernardino terror attack.
The killings marked the deadliest mass shooting in the USA since the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in CT in 2012, in which 26 people were killed, including 20 children.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says details about the new system will be given soon.
Also on Sunday, Hillary Clinton said the Islamic State had become “the most effective recruiter in the world” and that the only solution was to engage USA technology companies in blocking or taking down militant websites, videos, and encrypted communications.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the system has been under review for some time and reforms would aim to make it easier for DHS to communicate to the public about national security threats.
The system has a high bar to clear before an advisory is issued, and it has never been triggered, he said.
Trump’s campaign said in a statement such a ban should stand “until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on”. “Yeah, I would want to know”.
But, now, the U.S.is facing the prospect that people inspired by global terrorist groups may remain “below our radar and could act on a moment’s notice”.
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“I think if it works the same way as the AMBER alert, I think it would”, Nicky Debolt, who is open to using the new system.
