In a move with a strong symbolism, the Donald Trump put an end to the career of one of its highest -ranking analysts CIA specializing in Russia. The official, with more than twenty years of experience, had led in 2016 of the report of a report that concluded that Moscow intervened in the presidential election in favor of Trump.
According to the Economist, the CIA analyst’s career ended unexpectedly on August 19, when Touli Gabard, director of the National Intelligence Service in the Donald Trump government, removed her security license, as well as 36 more or former officials. Among them are Selby Pierson and Vinh Ngujen, also involved in the 2016 exhibition.
A clearing without a precedent
The decision caused a strong shock to the intelligence services. “Loss of a security license means the end of a career,” a former official told the magazine. Even after their departure, many agents are based on this certification to secure advisers.
The case comes at a time when the worrying signs are growing: in spring, analysts were pressured to rewrite a Venezuelan gang report to align with the Trump line. In June, the president publicly attacked Pentagon’s estimates that denied his claims for Iran.
Pressure and climate of fear
The Economist emphasizes that historically the CIA has often clashed with the White House – in the Vietnam War or Iraq. But have never reached this level before. “Everyone is wondering: I’m the next one?” says an agent under anonymity.
Of the 37 people targeted, they only had an indirect relationship with Russia. Others seem to have just been targeted for their criticism, such as Ted Gistaro, a former Trump adviser.
Political Brah de Fer
This attack is part of a wider strategy of depreciating reports that are adverse to the president. In July, the CIA released an internal review of the 2016 report, judging it was rationally written. During the same period, Gabard declassified an earlier Congress document, despite the opposition of the service, which contained sensitive information about sources in Russia.
Trump and Gabard also announced a 50% reduction in the National Intelligence Office office, accusing it of bureaucracy and hosting “deep state agents”.
Reactions and international concerns
At the same time, criminal investigations have begun against two emblematic forms of US services: by John Brennan, a former CIA director, and James Komey, a former head of the FBI. For the Democrats’ opposition, the situation is “worse than expected”.
In his open letter, CIA’s current director Bill Burns denounced a dangerous diversion: “If our analysts saw an opponent strategically committed suicide in this way, we would open Burbon. Today, what we hear is the glasses of champagne who clink in the Kremlin and Beijing. “