Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said “terrorist” and “terrorism” more than 60 times in her opening statement Wednesday before the House Homeland Security Committee.
At least that was the count of committee chairman, Rep. Peter King of New York. He pointed out that she rarely used the words last year and that the administration had backed away from the phrase “war on terror.”
Napolitano said her use of the word evolved from working with law enforcement and intelligence agencies and had nothing to do with any policy changes.
Later, Rep. Paul Broun, Republican of Georgia, criticized the administration for working to eliminate the words “jihadist” and “Islamic extremist” in reference to terrorist acts.
Broun said that political correctness has led to more grandmothers and children being patted down at airports than potential terrorists.
“I have yet to see a grandma with chemicals in her bloomers,” he said.
