Serrano Asks If Homeland Security was Involved in FBI/Puerto Rican Press Altercation

Serrano Asks If Homeland Security was Involved in FBI/Puerto Rican Press Altercation

2/16/2006

Washington, DC, February 16, 2006 - In an annual appropriations hearing Wednesday with Secretary Michael Chertoff of the Department of Homeland Security, Congressman José E. Serrano asked about DHS involvement in the FBI/journalist altercation in Puerto Rico. Secretary Chertoff was unable to confirm or deny the presence of DHS agents in the raids that led to agents spraying mace on journalists.

Serrano asked directly on three occasions whether the Department of Homeland Security was involved in the operation. Secretary Chertoff said that he was "not aware of DHS agents being involved, but they could have been through the Joint Terrorism Task Force."

Reflecting on the answer, Serrano stated: "If this operation against Independentistas was actually terrorism-related, I would imagine that Homeland Security would have been involved. If it wasn't terrorism related, and the FBI publicly stated that it was, that raises very serious questions about the nature of the operation. I hope that following up with Secretary Chertoff will help me, and the public, determine whether this incident actually involved a terrorism threat."

"I intend to press this question further when I question FBI Director Mueller at his hearing before my subcommittee," Serrano added. "There are too many unanswered questions, especially coming on the heels of the Ojeda Rios disaster. We must find out what is happening with the FBI in Puerto Rico. What is causing these operational calamities?"

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny16_serrano/060216pr_FBI.html