The U.S. intelligence community is not a “deep state” conspiracy. It is a political faction, clad in official secrecy, and protected by general friendly media coverage. The intelligence community loathes and fears President Trump for his ignorance, his flouting of the traditional policymaking process, and now his desire to get control of U.S. intelligence agencies,...
Category: ODNI
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Groundswell: The Right-Wing Team Writing Trump’s ‘Deep State’ Hit List
Axios, the business newsletter that cultivates market-moving sources, has a detailed look at how President Trump is striking back at his perceived foes in the Executive Branch. The level of detail in the story makes it credible to me. A key figure is Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas. She has a...
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Washington Post: Keep Intelligence Briefings Open to the Public
A stinging tweet from President Trump about the intelligence community’s Capitol Hill public briefing on Iran a year ago has the intel chiefs ducking. According to Politico, U.S. officials have suggested to the House and Senate they testify only behind closed doors. The editors of the Washington Post object. The change would undermine the public...
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The Trump Crack-Up: Federal Agencies Mobilize Against White House
As Congress embarks on impeachment proceedings, the leadership of federal agencies in Washington are growing increasingly outspoken. Without mentioning the president, they are warning that President Trump’s actions as a threat to democratic government. The American government is fracturing. Call it the Trump crack-up. A new inter-agency agency report illuminates the fissures between president and...
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The Dangers of a Trump Loyalist as Director of National Intelligence
Last week’s appearance of Joseph Maguire, the acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), highlighted the importance of an obscure position. Maguire deferred to the Trump Justice Department’s tortured argument for withholding a whistleblower’s complaint from Congress but insisted he was following the law, not covering up. Democrats were unconvinced. Trump ousted the previous DNI, Dan...