Former Presidents can request CIA briefings ...

[eppur_se_muova]

Do former US presidents get NSC/CIA briefings?

3 Answers

Anderson Moorer
Anderson Moorer, Political independent, leans towards libertarian

Written Oct 28, 2014

Yes, though they do not get the NSI presidential daily briefing (PDB) nor are they allowed to view "presidential eyes only" PDBs.

Instead they receive intelligence briefings periodically sufficient to an extent that they can, should circumstances dictate, assist the government in a time of crisis.

Their security status is similar to upper level cabinet members though they are not inundated with intelligence minunate to the same degree, and they no doubt are kept out of "the loop" in regards to much of the more sensitive or closely held information.

Their degree of participation in this regard is optional on their part and some former presidents choose to be briefed more often than others.

https://www.quora.com/Do-former-US-presidents-get-NSC-CIA-briefings

Perhaps it is time for former President Clinton to request his own briefing. As former head of the CIA, perhaps GHWB would find it an interesting possibility as well. If Carter made a similar request, and all three made the fact public, it might show the public that concern over this issue is real.

[mopinko]

1. i have my fingers crossed that obama is writing a speech for the ages.

how great would it be to have all the living former presidents by his side?
and who could possibly be more pissed off at all this than they? and terrified.

eta- do i recall correctly that 41 received substantially more briefings than other ex's?

[volstork]

3. That would make sense

considering the fact that he headed the CIA.

[Hekate]

6. I have my fingers crossed for Obama's actions now. I can't predict, except he will....

....make the best decision possible for a man caught between a rock and a hard place. What's "possible" may not resemble what we want or need.

I'm shocked and saddened at the number of posters here who know so little about US presidential powers that they end up talking like Trump fans: the president must, in their eyes do any number of things that he has no power under the law to do, like declare martial law (?!?!), force another election, and so on. In their minds he should also get on tv every day and tell us exactly what he is doing and why -- to what end, they do not say, except I guess to let the GOPutin know what's coming.

Absent tv announcements and personal phone calls, they conclude Obama is doing nothing.

[Cooley Hurd]

2. I think that party lines have already been breached...

I find myself siding with former opponents. The USA itself is on the line now!

[bluedigger]

4. I'd assume GHWB has always kept a close eye on the shop.

[Hekate]

5. GHWB is extremely old and frail at this point, not in the best shape to absorb intel

I'm sure he used to stay in touch, back in the day, but that day is no more.