"The intelligence services and the law enforcement agencies are today's front line troops in the war on terrorism," he said.

"They are locked up 24 hours a day, seven days a week trying to prevent acts of terrorism against American citizens in the United States and abroad. And for there to be the kind of commentary coming from Senators and Congressmen that haven't got the facts and are making premature judgments, I think is very disconcerting and certainly has an adverse impact."

In the wake of September 11, the FBI has initiated a major

restructuring that makes preventing terrorist attacks its top priority. But even as Director Mueller announced the new shift in focus, he readily acknowledged that FBI headquarters ignored tips and warnings from field agents about suspicious activity in the weeks leading up to the attacks on New York and Washington.

"What we need to do better is be predictive. We have to be proactive," he said. "We have to develop the capability to anticipate attacks. We have to develop the capability of looking around corners and that is the change, that is the shift in focus, particularly at headquarters."

For now, Mr. Mueller appears secure in his job. But that could change depending on what comes out of congressional hearings to be held in the weeks to come.

"Bob Mueller, who is liked and respected by the White House, basically decided that he had to just basically admit all and confess all and basically try to say that it really didn't happen on my watch," said Tom Defrank, Washington Bureau Chief of The New York Daily News and a guest on VOA's Issues in the News program.

"But the problem for the Bush Administration is that it did happen on their watch, September 11th.