Podcast Summary: The Watch Floor with Sarah Adams
Episode: “These Attacks Will Keep Coming”
Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Sarah Adams

Overview:

In this episode, former CIA Targeter Sarah Adams addresses the critical need for U.S. states to develop their own proactive counterintelligence and counterterrorism capabilities. Using Florida’s recent HB 945 bill as a model, she explores why relying solely on federal agencies leaves dangerous gaps, illustrates recent failures, and explains how state-level units can identify and neutralize threats more effectively. The episode is both a call to action for states across the country and a detailed analysis of practical solutions, delivered in Adams’ experienced and candid style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Urgent Need for State-Level Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism (01:00 – 03:37)

• Adams introduces the new Florida bill, HB 945, aimed at establishing a statewide unit for counterintelligence and counterterrorism.
• She frames Florida’s initiative as a replicable model for other states, given the federal government’s shortcomings in preventing and responding to threats.
• The episode is motivated by frequent listener questions: “What more can my state do?”

Notable Quote:

“Federal agencies aren’t cutting it. I worked for the federal government for 16 years. I think it’s okay to say when something is not getting done — and that's the case we’re in.”
— Sarah Adams, (03:37)

Why Can’t We Just Rely on the Feds? (02:31 – 03:37)

• A Florida official (Representative or legislative sponsor; voice “D”) explains why state responsibility is essential:
  • Florida’s unique stature and exposure make it a priority target.
  • Past federal failures (9/11, Hurricane Katrina, etc.) show the dangers of complacency.
  • The new legislation is about shifting culture and giving the state tools to take care of its own.

Notable Quote:

“A lot of people tell me, why don’t we depend on the feds? I offer you 9/11... while the feds do their thing and they do it well, Florida has a responsibility to look out for ourselves.”
— Florida Official, (02:31)

Enduring Gaps in Reporting Threats and Information Sharing (03:38 – 11:00)

• Adams recounts her fruitless attempts to report terrorism tips via DHS and local law enforcement, exposing persistent gaps:
  • The DHS "See Something, Say Something" system routes Florida tips to city hurricane offices, a clear misalignment.
  • Some sheriff’s departments outright refused to accept terrorism tips via phone.

Notable Quote:

“If I gave that [terrorism tip] to the hurricane people, what do you think they would do with it? … This is a huge, constant problem because there isn’t actually, like, the perfect place to go to.”
— Sarah Adams, (06:05)

• Adams points out that problems are still surfacing over a year after she first flagged them, reinforcing the case for dedicated, state-level solutions.

Historical and Ongoing Local Threats (11:00 – 19:00)

• Adams details active and recent threats:
  • Al Qaeda facilitator networks in Florida throughout the 2000s.
  • Casing of Tampa by the New Orleans terrorist prior to his attack.
  • Multiple casing incidents throughout 2025.
• These are local problems that federal agencies consistently failed to communicate or act on effectively.

Notable Quote:

“That's not just saying, Oh, ISIS is interested in Florida... We have casing occurring in this country.”
— Sarah Adams, (14:55)

• She references national cases (Boston Marathon 2013, San Bernardino 2015) as times when state/local capabilities could have saved lives through earlier detection.

What a State Counterterrorism/Counterintelligence Team Looks Like (19:00 – 30:00)

• Adams envisions a state unit with independent investigative and analytic abilities:
  • Monitoring international/domestic terrorism, insider threats, and hostile nation activity.
  • Protecting critical infrastructure: ports, universities, military bases.
  • Proactive pattern mapping: connecting illicit money flows, travel, and other suspicious activity across jurisdictions.
  • Persistent focus on adversary influence (e.g., Chinese targeting of universities).

Notable Quotes:

“Let’s give the state their own eyes and their own ears and their own analytic capability… and actually even understand the damage or prevent it from happening.”
— Sarah Adams, (20:15)

“Florida can never be a soft target. Having something like this in place really does make the enemy think twice.”
— Sarah Adams, (24:00)

• Emphasizes the benefits:
  • Institutional memory: threat knowledge survives political turnover.
  • Faster, more tailored operational response to threats.
  • Improved information sharing and analytic depth at the state level.

States as Laboratories for Security Solutions (30:00 – 39:00)

• Adams encourages other states to adapt Florida's template to their specific risk environments:
  • Texas: border/hybrid threats.
  • Pennsylvania: energy infrastructure/supply chains.
  • California: tech innovation and port security.
  • Montana/Tennessee: rural and research facility threats.

Notable Quote:

“States have to stop waiting for the federal government to act. They need to take ownership at the local level, and we’re gonna save lives if we do this.”
— Sarah Adams, (36:44)

• She urges listeners to advocate for similar units and to recognize the competitive, adversarial landscape targeting every state.

The Ultimate Call to Action (39:00 – End)

• The episode concludes with Adams’ stark warning that failing to act before the next attack is unacceptable — and easily avoidable with the right measures:
  • States have both the need and the capacity to defend themselves more effectively.
  • Institutionalizing these defenses is not partisan: threats exist regardless of administration.

Memorable Closing Quote:

“Why are we putting ourselves in this situation? It should not be this way. So someone has to own it. Why not the state? Why not now?”
— Sarah Adams, (41:35)

Notable Quotes, Moments, and Timestamps

• “Federal agencies aren’t cutting it… That’s the case we’re in.” (03:37)
• “If I gave that [terrorism tip] to the hurricane people, what do you think they would do with it?” (06:05)
• “We have casing occurring in this country.” (14:55)
• “Florida can never be a soft target. Having something like this in place really does make the enemy think twice.” (24:00)
• "States have to stop waiting for the federal government to act." (36:44)
• “Why not the state? Why not now?” (41:35)

Structure

• Introduction and Purpose (01:00)
• Why State Action is Necessary (02:31)
• Failures in Threat Reporting (03:38–11:00)
• Local Threats and Missed Opportunities (11:00–19:00)
• Blueprint for State-Level Capability (19:00–30:00)
• State Adaptation and Practical Advocacy (30:00–39:00)
• Call to Action and Conclusion (39:00–End)

Summary Flow:
Sarah Adams directly challenges the assumption that national agencies are enough to keep Americans safe from terrorism and state-sponsored threats. Florida is taking the lead with a dedicated state unit, setting a template for others. Adams mixes practical policy breakdown with real-life anecdotes of failed reporting systems and missed opportunities, hammering home the necessity for localized ownership. Her closing call is urgent and actionable: treat state-level counterintelligence and counterterrorism as top priorities, or risk repeating the mistakes of the past.