For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 20, 2001
Remarks by the President on the Arrest of FBI Agent Robert Hanssen
Aboard Air Force One En Route St. Louis, Missouri
12:50 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: This has been a
difficult day for those who love our country, and especially for those
who serve our country in law enforcement and in the intelligence
community.
Allegations of espionage of an FBI
counterintelligence agent are extremely serious and are deeply
disturbing -- particularly disturbing for the thousands of men and women
who work for the FBI, whose mission is to protect our national security
and who now must deal with allegations that one of their own may have
undermined it.
I have the utmost confidence in Director Louis
Freeh and the men and women who serve in the FBI. Those who
represent our country in the CIA and in the Justice
Department. I thank them for their service. I commend them
for their sacrifice. Allegations of espionage are a reminder
that we live in a dangerous world, a world that sometimes does not
share American values.
I thank the men and women who proudly serve
our country. But to anyone who would betray its trust, I
warn you -- we'll find you and we'll bring you to justice.
Thank you.
END
12:52 P.M. EST
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