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Richard Clarke
Counter-Terrorism Coordinator
Official who warned about Al-Qaeda before 9/11, testified about failures
Overview
Richard Clarke was the National Coordinator for Security and Counter-terrorism who repeatedly warned the Bush administration about Al-Qaeda before 9/11. At the 9/11 Commission, he famously apologized to the families:"Your government failed you... and I failed you."
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Testified before 9/11 Commission that Bush administration failed to act on urgent al-Qaeda warnings
Publicly apologized to 9/11 families saying "your government failed you"
Warned Condoleezza Rice about imminent al-Qaeda attack in months before September 11
Related Investigations (1)
Known Associates & Connections
George W. Bush
President Clarke served under as counterterrorism coordinator; Clarke testified Bush administration ignored pre-9/11 warnings
Condoleezza Rice
National Security Advisor whom Clarke warned about al-Qaeda threats before 9/11
Bill Clinton
President under whom Clarke served as National Coordinator for Counterterrorism
George Tenet
CIA Director who shared Clarke's concerns about imminent al-Qaeda attack pre-9/11
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- October 27, 1950
- Birthplace
- Boston, Massachusetts
Education
- •University of Pennsylvania
- •MIT
Key Timeline
October 27, 1950
Born in Boston
January 2001
Requests urgent meeting on Al-Qaeda (ignored)
September 11, 2001
9/11 attacks
March 24, 2004
Testifies before 9/11 Commission, apologizes