BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Going to join the attorney general, in progress, speaking at the Justice Department. At this point talking about the current fight, from a legal standpoint, against the war on terrorism.</s>JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: -- and muscle on the ground. For two months, America has been subjected to constant terrorists threats based on credible intelligence; two periods of extremely high threat have passed. For two months, we've endured the videotaped tauntings of Osama bin Laden. For two months, Americans have had their lives disrupted and law enforcement has had to work over time, to say the least, through dozens of warnings to law enforcement, a deliberate campaign of terrorists disruption, tighter security around potential targets and over 1,000 arrests and detention. This has only made America stronger. It has inspired us. It has united us. We now know that we can and will prevail. We cannot know with certainty what acts of terrorism our combined efforts have thwarted or prevented. But we have trusted the American people to act responsibly in the face of threats. And thanks to their patience and to their vigilance, we know this: We have not suffered another major terrorist attack. The homefront has witnessed the opening battle in the war against terrorism and America has emerged victorious.</s>HEMMER: John Ashcroft speaking there at the Justice Department. We do anticipate a bit later in his speech, possibly talk about and touch upon his suggestions and advice for restructuring certain aspects -- restructuring certain aspects of the Justice Department. At this point, though, again, many of the things that we have heard from the Attorney General in the past about -- about the measures that have been taken to strengthen America and his estimation, right now, America has only been made stronger. His words a short time ago there, in Washington. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Attorney General John Ashcroft Speaks About Terrorism