Question 1

What is the Department of Homeland Security's mission:

Accepted Answer

The Department of Homeland Security's mission encompasses protecting the United States from terrorist attacks (A), reducing the nation's vulnerability to terrorism (B), and minimizing the damage and aiding recovery from attacks that do occur (C). Therefore, all three components (A, B, and C) are integral to its mission.

Question 2

Which DHS agencies retain "independent agency status"?

Accepted Answer

The Coast Guard and the Secret Service retain independent agency status within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), allowing them to operate with a degree of autonomy despite being part of the larger DHS framework.

Question 3

The _______________ is the primary U.S. federal government agency responsible for investigating acts of terrorism:

Accepted Answer

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the primary domestic agency responsible for investigating acts of terrorism within the United States.

Question 4

The Nunn-Lugar Act of 1991:

Accepted Answer

The Nunn-Lugar Act of 1991 was primarily focused on providing assistance for the dismantling of weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union, not directly related to first responders, establishing a national intelligence office, or creating FEMA.

Question 5

"The federal government remains ill-equipped and unprepared to counter a major terrorist attack," was a warning from a report filed prior to September 11, 2001 by what federal agency:

Accepted Answer

The Government Accountability Office (GAO), known for its comprehensive audits and analysis of government operations, issued warnings about the federal government's preparedness for terrorist attacks prior to September 11, 2001.

Question 6

9/11 exposed the nation's vulnerabilities in

Accepted Answer

9/11 exposed vulnerabilities in multiple areas, including infrastructure (as it targeted critical buildings and highlighted the need for more secure and resilient structures), immigration (as it led to a reevaluation of visa and border policies), and intelligence (showing the need for better information sharing and analysis to prevent such attacks).

Question 7

The Department of Homeland Security was preceded by the _______________ formed after ________________

Accepted Answer

The Department of Homeland Security was preceded by the Office of Homeland Security, which was formed after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

Question 8

The Patriot Act was controversial primarily because:

Accepted Answer

The Patriot Act was controversial mainly because it limited civil rights and liberties in the name of enhancing national security, raising concerns about privacy and government overreach.

Question 9

The Patriot Act makes it:

Accepted Answer

The Patriot Act does not make any of the listed actions explicitly legal or illegal. It primarily focuses on enhancing law enforcement investigatory tools related to terrorism.

Question 10

The Homeland Security Act:

Accepted Answer

The Homeland Security Act formed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), established the Homeland Security Council, and attempted to merge the FBI, CIA, and NSA as part of DHS.

Question 11

The Homeland Security Council is under the direct control of the Secretary of Homeland Security

Accepted Answer

The Homeland Security Council operates within the Executive Office of the President, advising the President on homeland security matters, rather than being under the direct control of the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Question 12

The REAL ID Act sets forth requirements for state ID's, including drivers licenses, to be accepted by the federal government for "official purposes". These official purposes are defined by the ______________ and include _______________.

Accepted Answer

The REAL ID Act's requirements for state IDs to be accepted for federal purposes, such as boarding commercial airline flights, are defined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Question 13

Advocates have expressed concerns regarding the REAL ID Act including concerns over:

Accepted Answer

The REAL ID Act has raised concerns among advocates for several reasons, including privacy and data collection issues, the infringement on states' rights to control their own identification systems, and the fact that it does not apply to foreign passports. These concerns encompass all the options listed, making "All of the above" the correct choice.

Question 14

The armed forces of the United States may exercise state and local law enforcement powers that maintain "law and order" only when an order to do so originates from:

Accepted Answer

The Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits the use of the military for law enforcement, but Congress can authorize it through legislation, and the Constitution allows for certain exceptions like insurrections.

Question 15

The 9/11 Commission released a report card in 2006 grading the Bush Administration and Congress on their implementation of Commission recommendations. The grades received were very poor.

Accepted Answer

The 9/11 Commission did release a report card in 2006 grading the Bush Administration and Congress on their implementation of its recommendations, and many of the grades were indeed poor, including several D's and F's.

Question 16

Why is the aviation industry targeted by terrorists more frequently than the relatively less secure passenger rail industry?

Accepted Answer

All of the above reasons contribute to why the aviation industry is targeted more frequently by terrorists than the passenger rail industry. The negative economic, human, and psychological impacts of airplane attacks are generally perceived to be greater, making them more attractive targets for terrorists aiming to instill fear, cause significant disruption, and attract global attention.

Question 17

The statement "foreigners don't have rights" is most likely in reference to what agency of the Intelligence Community?:

Accepted Answer

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operates under different legal constraints when dealing with non-U.S. citizens outside the United States, often leading to the perception or assertion that "foreigners don't have rights" in the context of its intelligence operations. The CIA's primary mission is to collect, analyze, evaluate, and disseminate foreign intelligence to assist the President and senior US government policymakers in making decisions relating to national security. Its operations abroad are generally not subject to the same legal and oversight constraints that apply to its activities within the United States, especially regarding US citizens.

Question 18

The Office of the General Counsel at the Department of Homeland Security is primarily responsible for:

Accepted Answer

The Office of the General Counsel at the Department of Homeland Security primarily provides general, internal legal advice and assistance to DHS, ensuring that the department's actions comply with the law.

Question 19

DHS Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is the primary point of contact with ______________. DHS Office of Legislative Affairs is the primary point of contact with _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of DHS Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is the...

Question 20

The Homeland Security Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations to Congress on matters related to homeland security

Accepted Answer

The Homeland Security Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, not directly to Congress.

Quiz 1: Understanding Homeland Security Foundations of Security Policy