And if PAST actions were any indication, the increased chatter indicated a planned attack on US assets ( embassies, ships, or companies ) OUTSIDE the US ( look at what had happened previously).
Without some definite information that the target was IN the US, HOW would it have been handled any differently? Had there been increased alerts to embassies, and to ships in foreign waters? Did anyone presently judging the administration's actions, or lack thereof EVER ask that?