Transcript: Ridge Raises Threat Level

So let me be clear. While we have raised the threat level for the financial services sector in the affected communities, the rest of the nation remains at an elevated or code yellow risk of terrorist attack. Rest assured, rest assured that the most talented security professionals and law enforcement professionals around this country are working hard every single day to protect all regions of this country and all sectors of our economy.

Over the course of the last year and since the horrific day of 9/11, more permanent protections are in place than ever before. I suspect that many of you have seen them. They have become part of our daily life: additional airport security, including screenings and air marshals and hardened cockpit doors.

You've seen more visible law enforcement officers on trains, and subways and other transportation systems. You've seen increased inspections at our nation's ports or at our border crossings. And this summer, given the volume of symbolic events and large gatherings, we have ramped up protective measures more than ever before and we paint a partial picture.

Thousands of radiological pagers have been given to law enforcement around the country and more are on the way. At work are more hazmat technicians, undercover agents, and emergency response teams, and more K-9 units capable of detecting explosives and weapons of mass destruction, advanced air-monitoring technologies that can check for biological pathogens are operating in key locations. Well, along with smart security professionals, these technologies help bring the national Democratic Convention to a safe conclusion.

State-of-the-art equipment like this is now being installed to protect the Republican National Convention in New York later this year.

RIDGE: This equipment and added personnel will bolster security measures already being put in place at Madison Square Garden and throughout the transportation systems in New York City.

These added security measures mean that from curb to the cockpit, at our ports of entries and borders in between, in our public places, in cyberspace, on air and land and sea, we are better protected than we ever have been before.

We bring you this information today, and again we'll continue to update you if new specific information becomes available, because with this kind of information comes action. There is much we can do to remain vigilant, to be on watch, to be aware of unusual patterns or vehicles, and to report suspicious activities.

And so this afternoon I ask our citizens for their watchful eyes as we continue to monitor this situation. I certainly realize that this is sobering news, not just about the intent of our enemies, but of their specific plans and a glimpse into their methods.

But we must understand that the kind of information available to us today is the result of the president's leadership in the war against terror, the reports that have led to this alert are the result of offensive intelligence and military operations overseas, as well as strong partnerships with our allies around the world, such as Pakistan.

Such operations and partnerships give us insight into the enemy, so we can better target our defensive measures here and away from home. The terrorists should know in this country this kind of information, while startling, is not stifling. It will not weaken the American spirit. It will not dampen our resolve, for our resolve is indivisible and unyielding, which is a weapon infinitely stronger than the plots and the plans of those who wish to do us harm.

Al Qaida wants to intimidate us and prevent us from enjoying our lives and exercising our freedoms. And yet liberty, liberty has no greater protection than the collective will of the American people. So, together, let us take inspiration from this strength and use it to our utmost to keep our great nation safe and free.

Thank you very much.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, would you say it's fair to say that what has been uncovered here is a specific plot?

RIDGE: I think it's fair to say that we have more specific information about potential targets that I think you can conclude may be the subject of a particular plot.

Again, what is extraordinary about these particular sites is the considerable detail or quality of information regarding those sites. So, again, we have no specific information that says an attack is imminent, but given the specificity and quality of information around these sites, obviously one would conclude, if you were considering the potential attack, these might be among the targets.