"This letter has me very alarmed about the nation's security. If FBI headquarters is still handling terrorism information like it handled the Moussaoui case, we're in grave danger. This was worse than dropping the ball. This was bureaucrats at headquarters actively interfering with an investigation that had a terrorist in hand.
"Director Mueller can label this letter classified and the FBI can circle the wagons, but a cover-up is not going to work. This letter documents exactly what headquarters knew and when, and how mid-level officials sabotaged the Moussaoui case before the attacks.
"This letter is more embarrassing than it is classified. Director Mueller can redact the few sentences that are sensitive and must release the letter to the public. This letter sadly raises many more questions that the FBI will have to answer to the Judiciary Committee.
"After being briefed on this letter, I don't blame agents in Minnesota for wondering if there were unwitting collaborators of Osama bin Laden sitting around at headquarters. At the very least, those responsible for this should be brought before the Intelligence Oversight Board or Office of Professional Responsibility, instead of being promoted.
"If field agents committed these egregious errors, they would be facing discipline and relocation. But the double standard of discipline and accountability continues, even though Director Mueller has pledged to me that it was gone.
"Coleen Rowley has done the FBI and the nation a service by blowing the whistle on clear wrongdoing. I have given her written assurance that she will be protected for her cooperation with the Judiciary Committee's investigation of the FBI. I expect Director Mueller to ensure there is no retaliation against Ms. Rowley."