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After Comments, U.S. Terror Chief Resigns Citing Health Reasons
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ShareOctober 17, 2007 3:07 PM
Three days after Americans saw the Bush administration's counterterrorism chief say the Iraq war has likely not made the United States safer from terrorism, the official announced his resignation, citing health reasons.
In an e-mail sent to his staff Wednesday afternoon, Adm. Scott Redd, head of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), said he was stepping down to "take care of some long-delayed surgery that I can no longer neglect."
The center serves as an all-source intelligence operation, synthesizing information from the CIA, the Pentagon, the FBI and elsewhere and analyzing the threat of terrorism to the United States.
Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
A spokesman said that Redd, 63, needed to have both of his knees replaced, which would require a long period of rehabilitation during which he could not work.
On Monday, NBC News broadcast an interview with Redd in which he said that the U.S. was "probably" not safer from terrorism today than it was before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In the longer term, he said, "We'll wait and see."
Redd's comment apparently contradicted an assertion made by President Bush's top counterterrorism adviser, Fran Townsend, that the terrorist threat "would have been worse" if the United States had not invaded Iraq.
NCTC spokesman Carl Kropf said Redd's decision to leave was "absolutely not" related to his comments, and that he had not been pressured in any way to step down.
No replacement has been named. When Redd leaves on Nov. 10, he will be temporarily replaced by his deputy until a new director is confirmed, Kropf said.
In a statement released this afternoon, Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell thanked Redd for his service. "I know his decision to step down was difficult," McConnell said. A spokesman for his office said there was "no pressure whatsoever" on Redd to resign.
This post has been updated.
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
October 17, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (86)
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I really appreciate his candor and hope his leaving is not punishment for honesty.
Posted by: Marilyn | Oct 17, 2007 3:16:45 PM
Ask Brian to find out why there is a means test for veterans for medicines from va hospitals. A veteran is a veteran and his income should have no bearing on his status.
Posted by: ronald previn | Oct 17, 2007 3:27:27 PM
And another one bites the dust! Pretty sad because I believe him and not George, who is a chronic liar!
Posted by: cantcu | Oct 17, 2007 3:31:34 PM
So much for the truth in this administration!
He is a brave and strong man. Glad he did not waste his talent on this sad administration!
Posted by: Carolyn | Oct 17, 2007 3:31:38 PM
"And the truth shall make you free." Free to find other employment.
Posted by: WLG | Oct 17, 2007 3:42:01 PM
Knee replacement? Yes, after he was taken off at the knees for telling the truth.
Posted by: WLG | Oct 17, 2007 3:44:13 PM
It took some courage for Redd to speak the truth, knowing he'd be shot in a heartbeat. I'm surprised his resignation excuse did not cite a need to spend time with his family, if only for tongue-in-cheek value.
Posted by: Chuck Wells | Oct 17, 2007 3:50:33 PM
Does anyone really think he resigned? This is just another example of how things are done in the Bush Administration. If you say something contrary to the administration you are fired. This is what they mean when they the truth hurts.
Posted by: USMCInfantry | Oct 17, 2007 3:57:02 PM
Every day and in every way Iraq is getting better and better. Remember to keep saying that and your Bushie job is safe!
Posted by: AlChemist | Oct 17, 2007 4:09:10 PM
Of course Fran Townsend would say otherwise. I can't stand seeing her on the idiot box any more than I can stand looking at Bush or Mr. and Mrs. Prince of Darkness.
Posted by: fubar | Oct 17, 2007 4:14:13 PM
At this point, any "for medical reasons" excuse coming from this administration sounds like the good old days of the USSR when their premier would "leave on a vacation for the country" for a couple months...and never be seen again.
Posted by: Dave J. | Oct 17, 2007 4:16:20 PM
What the heck is probably not safer? Who is that on the phone? Why won't my dog dance? How much is plastic and duck tape these days?
Posted by: Mitchell | Oct 17, 2007 4:18:59 PM
Yeah...his medical advisor, Dr. Richard "So Scary That Putin Diverts His Eyes" Cheney, advised he take some time off "for the sake of his kneecaps".
Just too coincidental that the only person in the administration to say anything contrary to the official line has to leave right away for "personal reason"...BS. They have to know at this point nobody of any credibility or reason believes a word they say; they may as well stop lying to us and just stay mum for the next 15 months.
Posted by: jeremydbrooks | Oct 17, 2007 4:19:14 PM
If you are honest, you will never survive the Bush administration..its a cut-throat and dishonest Bush administration.
Posted by: H.L. Frazier | Oct 17, 2007 4:21:18 PM
Truth telling is a fatal disease in this administration. Thank you, sir.
Posted by: HiFi | Oct 17, 2007 4:26:40 PM
Is there anyone besides Bush and his puppet master, who contends that the Bush regime has done anything for Americans except make billions of peopole despise us?
Posted by: geneonlbk | Oct 17, 2007 4:27:54 PM
Well, I guess it's possible that he had already decided to step down to get the knee surgery and therefore felt free to speak the truth.
Posted by: bruce | Oct 17, 2007 4:30:03 PM
"Ask Brian to find out why there is a means test for veterans for medicines from va hospitals. A veteran is a veteran and his income should have no bearing on his status."
The means testing is a mean presidents way of expressing his contemp for anyone who is not a rich contributor.
In America we sell injustice to the rich and force it on the poor.
Posted by: geneonlbk | Oct 17, 2007 4:31:15 PM
His job is to keep us safe not scare us unnecessarily with reckless comments. He's right to resign. Such a schmuck shouldn't be terror chief.
Posted by: Jamie | Oct 17, 2007 4:35:37 PM
His job was to keep us safe not scare us unnecessarily with reckless comments. That schmuck was right to resign.
Posted by: Jamie | Oct 17, 2007 4:37:35 PM
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