102 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 29 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds    H3'ed 12/4/16

Donald Trump's National Security Choices Are Not the "A" Team in Intelligence Circles

By       (Page 2 of 2 pages) Become a premium member to see this article and all articles as one long page.   3 comments
Message John Kiriakou
Become a Fan
  (41 fans)

It is ugly, indeed. Almost no figures being mentioned publicly -- with the exception of ideologues -- are willing to serve in senior intelligence positions. Virtually anybody who is qualified is already out of contention, having fallen afoul of Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and transition team "enforcer."

Flynn is a retired army lieutenant general and former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency under President Obama. He served only two years in the latter job, reportedly forced out after clashing with superiors over his "chaotic management style." He later complained in the press that the United States was less safe from "Islamic terrorism" in 2014 than it was on Sept. 11, 2001, and he said he had been removed from the DIA job because of his unwillingness to toe the Obama administration's line that "al-Qaida was close to defeat." Flynn was an early Trump backer and was part of a right-wing, anti-Muslim drumbeat that had Trump's ear throughout the campaign. Ironically, he also is a registered lobbyist for the government of Turkey.

The president-elect's nomination of Pompeo to lead the CIA is even more troubling. It is a message to the American people that Trump was telling the truth when he said that he would appoint people who support the CIA torture program. Indeed, Pompeo has called CIA torturers "patriots" and has called for the execution of National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden. There's no reason to think that Pompeo, a member of the Tea Party caucus in Congress, will change his mind in the near term.

It is possible that things will get even worse than the prospect of Flynn and Pompeo. Trump has discussed a job for Jose Rodriguez, former director of the CIA's Counterterrorism Center from 2002-2004 and CIA deputy director for operations from 2004-2010. Rodriguez not only was the father of the torture program, but he also destroyed the tapes documenting actual torture sessions. Although Rodriguez said he didn't necessarily want to be CIA director, he added he would consider a job if offered one, and he hoped the new president would bring back the torture program.

"We have to be able to capture terrorists. We have to be able to interrogate them," Rodriguez told the press after Trump's election. "We don't do that anymore."

The problem now is that it may be terrorists who are going to run the U.S. intelligence community.

Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Valuable 3   Well Said 2   Must Read 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

John Kiriakou Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

John Kiriakou spent 14 years at the CIA and two years in a federal prison for blowing the whistle on the agency's use of torture. He served on John Kerry's Senate Foreign Relations Committee for two years as senior investigator into the Middle (more...)
 

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Forcing the Innocent to Plead Guilty, an American Disgrace

Brennan and Clapper Should Not Escape Prosecution

An Incompetent FBI Dropped the Ball on Syed Farook

If Hillary Clinton Gets a Pass on Espionage From President Obama, So Should Whistleblowers

Time for Trump To Do the Right Thing on Immigration

The US Postal Service Is Spying On Us

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend