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EO 13354Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Executive Order 13354

National Counterterrorism Center

This executive order establishes the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) as the primary U.S. government organization for analyzing and integrating intelligence related to terrorism and counterterrorism, excluding purely domestic cases. The Center, placed under the authority of the Director of Central Intelligence, is tasked with strategic operational planning, serving as a central knowledge bank on terrorists and terror groups, and facilitating information sharing across federal agencies and with state and local governments.

Federal Register Open PDF 69 FR 53589

Impact dates

  1. Assumption of all Terrorist Threat Integration Center functions

  2. Annual reports to President thereafter

  3. First report to President on implementation effectiveness

Key directives

  • Establish National Counterterrorism Center under Director of Central Intelligence authority
  • Director appointed by DCI with Presidential approval
  • Center serves as primary organization for analyzing and integrating terrorism intelligence (excluding purely domestic)
  • Conduct strategic operational planning integrating diplomatic, financial, military, intelligence, homeland security, and law enforcement activities
  • Assign operational responsibilities to lead agencies without directing execution
  • Serve as central knowledge bank on known and suspected terrorists and international terror groups
  • Assume all functions of Terrorist Threat Integration Center when practicable
  • Report to President within 120 days and annually thereafter on implementation effectiveness
  • Agency heads must promptly give Center access to terrorism information unless prohibited by law
  • Agency heads must keep Center fully informed of counterterrorism activities
  • Agency heads must make available personnel, funding, and resources as requested by DCI with OMB approval

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Establishment of NCTC as new organization
  • Director appointment process begins
  • Agencies required to give highest priority to counterterrorism information sharing

Near term (90d)

  • First implementation report to President due (120 days from signing)
  • Director of Central Intelligence to determine practicability of assuming TTIC functions

Long term

  • Annual reporting cycle established for counterterrorism effectiveness assessments
  • Ongoing integration of terrorism intelligence systems and architectures
  • Institutionalization of strategic operational planning across all instruments of national power

Risks & tensions

  • Exclusion of 'purely domestic counterterrorism information' from Center's mandate creates jurisdictional boundary with FBI that may impede information sharing
  • DCI control over Center concentrates intelligence authority pre-2004 intelligence reform; tension with later creation of Director of National Intelligence position
  • Center 'shall not direct the execution of operations' creates ambiguous line between planning and operational control
  • Agency objections to Center assignments require notification to NSC/HSC but no resolution mechanism specified
  • 'As soon as practicable' for TTIC absorption is vague and leaves timeline to DCI discretion
  • Privacy protections in section 1(b) and 8(a)(i) are general; actual safeguards depend on 'applicable law' not defined
  • Resource transfers require OMB approval, creating potential budgetary friction
Executive Order 13354: National Counterterrorism Center · Executive Orders