9/11 Commission

9/11 Commission. Formally known as the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, this independent, bipartisan body was established by the United States Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush to provide a comprehensive account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11 attacks. Its mandate was to prepare a full and complete narrative of the events leading up to the attacks, examine the performance of relevant government agencies like the CIA and the FBI, and provide recommendations to guard against future acts of terrorism. The commission's work culminated in a widely read public report that profoundly influenced U.S. national security policy and the structure of the Intelligence Community.

Background and creation

The impetus for creating an independent investigation grew from persistent questions from victims' families and mounting political pressure in the aftermath of the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the thwarted flight destined for the U.S. Capitol. Initial inquiries, such as the joint investigation by the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, were seen as insufficiently broad and transparent. After prolonged negotiations between the Bush Administration and congressional leaders, particularly with key figures like Senator John McCain and family advocacy groups like the Family Steering Committee, the legislation was passed. President George W. Bush ultimately signed the bill creating the commission in late 2002, appointing its members in a bipartisan manner.

Membership and structure

The commission comprised ten members, equally divided between Democratic and Republican appointees, ensuring its bipartisan nature. Former New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean, a Republican, served as chair, while former Indiana Congressman Lee H. Hamilton, a Democrat, served as vice chair. Other notable members included former Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman, former Senator Slade Gorton, and former Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick. The commission was supported by a professional staff led by Executive Director Philip Zelikow, a historian and former staff member on the National Security Council. This structure was designed to foster credibility and public trust, operating with a significant budget and subpoena power to access classified documents and compel testimony.

Investigation and hearings

The commission conducted an extensive, twenty-month investigation, reviewing over 2.5 million pages of documents, including highly classified materials from the CIA, the FBI, the NSA, and the White House. It held 12 public hearings and interviewed more than 1,200 individuals in ten countries, including key figures such as President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, and CIA Director George Tenet. The hearings publicly examined critical failures in intelligence analysis, aviation security, and emergency response, famously leading to the public testimony of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice under subpoena.

Final report and findings

Released on July 22, 2004, the commission's final report, formally titled *The 9/11 Commission Report*, became a national bestseller. It provided a detailed narrative of the plot by al-Qaeda, led by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and sanctioned by Osama bin Laden. The report identified systemic failures across the U.S. government, citing a "failure of imagination" and a lack of proactive measures. It detailed specific lapses, such as the CIA not placing the names of known al-Qaeda operatives like Khalid al-Mihdhar on a watchlist and the FBI's poor handling of the Zacarias Moussaoui case. The report also examined the inadequate response of federal agencies like the FAA and NORAD on the day of the attacks.

Key recommendations

The commission issued 41 recommendations aimed at restructuring the U.S. government to prevent future terrorist attacks. The most significant proposals included the creation of a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to oversee and unify the Intelligence Community, and the establishment of a National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) for strategic operational planning. Other major recommendations focused on improving congressional oversight by reforming the House and Senate homeland security committees, standardizing secure communications for first responders, and developing a comprehensive strategy for combating terrorism and Islamic extremism globally.

Implementation and legacy

In response to the commission's work, Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which implemented many core recommendations, including creating the office of the DNI and the NCTC. However, the implementation was uneven; some recommendations, like reforming congressional oversight committees, were only partially adopted. The commission's legacy is profound, having reshaped the architecture of American national security and established a model for future high-profile government investigations. Its report remains a foundational text for understanding the events of 9/11, and its members, particularly Thomas Kean and Lee H. Hamilton, later formed the 9/11 Public Discourse Project to monitor the implementation of their recommendations. Category:United States federal commissions Category:September 11 attacks Category:2002 establishments in the United States Category:2004 disestablishments in the United States