A top counterterrorism adviser to President Obama today commended the NYPD — and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly — for keeping New York City safe while also protecting its citizen’s rights.
“It’s not a trade-off between our security and our freedoms and our rights are citizens,” said John Brennan, the assistant to President Obama for Homeland Security and Counterrorism, in an appearance at NYPD headquarters. “I believe that the balance that we strike has been an appropriate one.”
The NYPD has come under criticism from elected officials and Muslim community advocates for surveillance done in counter-terrorism work.
Brennan defended Kelly’s civil-liberties record.
“Kelly has assured me that everything is in accordance with the law, and they’re working with the local community,” he said. “I’ve spoken to Kelly on this for many years, and the NYPD has been responsible for keeping the city safe for the past decade. It does tremendous work day in and day out, keeping citizens and businesses safe.”
Brennan, who plans to visit local leader Muslim leaders on his trip to New York, also praised Kelly for working with Muslim community leaders to fight terrorism.
“The Muslim community here is part of the solution to the terrorist threat, and they need to be part of that effort,” he said.