"Why would it take 24 hours? All it should take is couple phone calls. "Mr. Atty Gen, one of our agents in the field has reason to believe..."
Ahem, you spoke of need for warrants. A *Judge* gives a warrant, not the AG.
And, yes, this is Govt. Red tape takes time. It's why Moussaoui's computer wasn't searched even after he was picked up (but prior to 9/11). The time and effort it takes hampers investigations.
These programs are fishing expeditions to find possible clues among 'suspicious' communication patterns. The 'probable cause' is tenuous at best, but disallowing this is like deciding to tie one hand behind your back.
Okay, fine. Call the judge and get a warrant. Police do it all the time.