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FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2002

Very few people were involved in the development of President Bush's proposal for a Department of Homeland Security.

Cabinet secretaries whose departments would be affected weren't clued in until Wednesday and some top officials whose operations would be significantly impacted, including FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III, refused to say whether they were consulted. Key lawmakers weren't briefed until yesterday morning.

A small circle of less than 10 Bush aides starting planning in late April and continued for a little over a week. Not until last week did other key aides learn of the proposal.

"They have a very small loop in terms of top-line information, and that allows them to control news flow in a way you have to admire," said a former member of the Clinton administration.

The surprise development has some Democrats worried even though many called for a Cabinet security post. But many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle welcomed the proposal.

Get the Story:
Plan Was Formed in Utmost Secrecy (The Washington Post 6/7)
A Question of Implementation (The Washington Post 6/7)
Lawmakers Cautiously Supportive And Optimistic About Bush Plan (The Washington Post 6/7)
In Washington, Mixed Reviews for Homeland Department (The Washington Post 6/7)
Bush Seeks Security Department (The Washington Post 6/7)
White House Acts to Regain the Initiative (The New York Times 6/7)
Plan for Security Agency Draws Bipartisan Support (The New York Times 6/7)
Bush, as Terror Inquiry Swirls, Seeks Cabinet Post on Security (The New York Times 6/7)
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Relevant Homeland Security Documents:
Executive Summary | White House Proposal

Speeches and Transcripts:
Text: Bush | Video Excerpts: Bush | Background Briefing: 'Senior' Official | White House Briefing

Relevant Links:
The Department of Homeland Security, White House - http://www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland

Today on Indianz.Com:
Bush asks for Cabinet security post (6/7)

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