Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Law enforcement and intelligence officials have been monitoring a rush of intelligence leads today at the largest security operation in presidential inauguration history.

One possible threat comes from a radical Islamic terrorist group in East Africa. A joint FBI/Homeland Security bulletin issued last night says authorities received information that people associated with al-Shabaab, a group based in Somalia, might try to travel to the U.S. with plans to disrupt the inauguration. However, Homeland Security says the information had limited specificity and uncertain credibility. Authorities stress that the warning was posted as a precaution.

Officials have warned that the inauguration poses an attractive target for terrorists because of the large crowds that are packing Washington and the historic significance of the country swearing in its first black president.

There's an unprecedented amount of security in the capital, with thousands of law enforcement officers from 58 federal, state and local agencies working together.