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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCIA clamps down on flow of Russia intelligence to White House
The CIA has made it harder for intelligence about Russia to reach the White House, stoking fears among current and former officials that information is being suppressed to please a president known to erupt in anger whenever he is confronted with bad news about Moscow.
Nine current and former officials said in interviews that CIA Director Gina Haspel has become extremely cautious about which, if any, Russia-related intelligence products make their way to President Donald Trumps desk. Haspel also has been keeping a close eye on the agencys fabled Russia House, whose analysts she often disagrees with and sometimes accuses of purposefully misleading her.
Last year, three of the people said, Haspel tasked the CIAs general counsel, Courtney Elwood, with reviewing virtually every product that comes out of Russia House, which is home to analysts and targeters who are experts in Russia and the post-Soviet space, before it goes downtown to the White House. One former CIA lawyer called it unprecedented that a general counsel would be involved to this extent.
Four of the people said the change has resulted in less intelligence on Russia making its way to the White House, but the exact reason for that whether Elwood has been blocking it, or whether Russia officers have become disillusioned and are producing less, or even self-censoring for fear of being reprimanded is less clear.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/23/cia-russia-intelligence-white-house-420351
Buckeyeblue
(5,499 posts)Are the independent of what is given to Trump or does Trump have to approve them?
Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,500 posts)the Intelligence Community"..... Still waiting....
BSdetect
(8,998 posts)why expect them to do a damn thing now?