Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has taken a firm stance against intelligence officials she accuses of manipulating and politicizing the intelligence process. On Tuesday, she announced the revocation of security clearances from 37 current and former intelligence officials, including those from the CIA, NSA, State Department, and National Security Council. This decision was reportedly made at the direction of former President Donald Trump.
The DNI memo, released on Monday, detailed the names of the accused,其中包括 former Obama DNI James Clapper, who was accused of instructing officials to prioritize speed over procedure in the preparation of a 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian influence in the 2016 election. The memo emphasized the importance of adherence to the Constitution and the protection of national security, asserting that the actions of these officials undermined the trust placed in the Intelligence Community.
Notable officials affected include Brett M. Holmgren, former assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research; Richard H. Ledgett, former NSA deputy director; Stephanie O’Sullivan, former principal deputy director of National Intelligence; and Luke R. Hartig, former senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Yael Eisenstat, a former CIA officer and White House advisor, is also listed among those whose clearances were revoked. These individuals were accused of actions that allegedly compromised the integrity of the intelligence process.
Gabbard emphasized that the revocation of clearances was a necessary measure to uphold the values and mission of the Intelligence Community. The memo states that the termination of access to classified materials and facilities is immediate, and the affected officials’ contracts or employment with the government will be ended. This move underscores the ongoing political tensions within the intelligence apparatus and the implications for national security and public trust in the institutions responsible for safeguarding it.