Trump loyalists take command of the intelligence community

[dajoki]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-loyalists-take-command-of-the-intelligence-community/2020/03/17/72518e3e-6884-11ea-9923-57073adce27c_story.html

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A statement from the DNI’s office said Grenell and his staff had begun a “careful review” of past studies that “have identified opportunities to refocus or transfer activities at ODNI to eliminate duplication of work with other agencies.” While this review is underway, the statement said, Grenell has imposed a “short-term pause in external hiring” at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and its components, such as the NCTC.

This “review” of intelligence-coordinating activities has created concern among intelligence professionals that a campaign is beginning against what President Trump and his loyalists view as a “deep state” in the national security community. Foreign intelligence partners share this worry about a Trump-led campaign to control intelligence.

Fear of a purge increased last July, when Daniel Coats was pushed out as director of national intelligence. His widely respected deputy, Sue Gordon, resigned in August after she wasn’t tapped to replace Coats. Then came the departures of Maguire and his chief deputy, Andrew Hallman, last month. All four had angered the White House, in part because they supported the intelligence community’s findings that Russia has been meddling in U.S. politics to benefit Trump.

The debate about trimming the NCTC dates back two years, to a “summer study” launched by Coats. Officials say it has accelerated as a more political team has taken over intelligence policy. This group includes Michael Ellis, named this month to a National Security Council post overseeing intelligence, and Kashyap Patel, Grenell’s senior adviser at ODNI. Both formerly worked for Devin Nunes (Calif.), the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee and a passionate Trump supporter.

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[bobbieinok]

1. Hitler was told what he wanted to hear, Bismarck what was observed---learned in grad school

Source---Gordon Craig internationally famous American prof of German history

[crickets]

2. Just in time for the election. K&R for visibility.