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What did the government know about the 9/11 attacks and when?

May 17, 2016 / 02:46

This episode discusses the July 10 White House meeting regarding imminent terrorist threats from Al Qaeda, featuring key figures like Condoleezza Rice and George Tenet.

The conversation highlights the urgency felt by national security officials as they received credible intelligence about potential attacks. George Tenet, the CIA director, is described as animated and concerned during the meeting.

Condoleezza Rice and other top officials were present as they contemplated the implications of the gathered intelligence. The episode emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the lack of immediate action taken following the meeting.

Rich B's chilling remark about the impending threat underscores the tension among officials, marking a pivotal moment in understanding the pre-9/11 security landscape.

TLDR

National security officials discuss imminent Al Qaeda threats before 9/11.

Episode

2:46

00:00:05

the information that we had now compiled was absolutely compelling it was multiple sourced it was sort of the the

00:00:12

last straw picked up the phone call Secretary have to see the director I'm coming

00:00:18

[Music] out you know George ten is a very smart guy he's chewing on his cigar going back

00:00:26

and forth he's jumping up down his eyes are flashing it's not just red lights there were real

00:00:33

plots being manifested the threat continues to rise public pronouncements by people in Al

00:00:46

Qaeda was there would be eight major celebrations coming the world was going to be stunned by what would soon happen

00:00:54

we decided the next thing to do was and pick up the white phone call the White House we're coming down right now

00:01:00

I said Cony I have to come see you we're coming right [Music] now present at the July 10 White House

00:01:10

meeting our national security adviser condalisa rice and other top officials there will be significant terrorist

00:01:17

attacks against the United States in the coming weeks or months the attacks will

00:01:22

be spectacular they may be multiple al-qaeda's intention is the destruction of the United

00:01:28

States and I said this country's got to go on a war footing now so I've slammed my hand on the

00:01:36

table what happened yeah what did happen yeah what happened essentially nothing happened yeah that's right remarkably

00:01:49

condal s rice would later write that her memory of the meeting was not very crisp

00:02:08

at the end of July we were sitting in my conference room and we were just thinking about all

00:02:16

of this and trying to figure out how this attack might occur and I'll never forget this till

00:02:24

the day I die rich B looked at everybody and said they're coming here and the silence that followed was deafening you

00:02:34

could hear a pin drop they're coming here

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Episode Highlights

Urgent Warnings
Top officials warn of imminent terrorist attacks against the U.S. that will be spectacular.
“Al-Qaeda's intention is the destruction of the United States.”
@ 01m 25s
May 17, 2016
A Deafening Silence
Rich B's haunting declaration about an impending attack leaves the room in shock.
“They're coming here.”
@ 02m 28s
May 17, 2016

Episode Quotes

What happened essentially? Nothing happened.
What did the government know about the 9/11 attacks and when?
They're coming here.
What did the government know about the 9/11 attacks and when?

Key Moments

Compelling Information00:05
Rising Threat00:40
White House Meeting01:07
Chilling Realization02:28

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown