On September 11, 2001, airplane attacks on New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a failed attempt on Washington, D.C., brought the threat of terrorism home to Americans. Nearly 3,000 people were killed and some 6,000 were wounded. More suffer from related illnesses today. The Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda, led by its founder Osama bin Laden, claimed responsibility. The Taliban regime in Afghanistan harbored Al-Qaeda.

President George W. Bush launched the Global War on Terror, a comprehensive, U.S.-led counterterrorism campaign. On October 7, 2001, the United States began military operations in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom. This soon expanded to Iraq. DEA provided intelligence and paramilitary support. The USA Patriot Act expanded domestic surveillance and law enforcement capabilities to deter and punish terrorism. The Department of Homeland Security was created, and tighter airport security under the Transportation Security Administration became the new normal.

The attacks changed the world forever. DEA remembers.

DEA Museum staff are creating an online collection of curated oral histories. By gathering first-person accounts from retired special agents, former leadership, and other personnel who have served across five decades, museum staff are preserving DEA’s history and legacy.  These interviews document how the administration’s mission evolved and the lived experiences behind major enforcement efforts. This is an ongoing project — with transcriptions forthcoming — so please check back periodically to see what new offerings are available.