House Democrats to investigate Trump's handling of US spy agencies
WASHINGTON: Democrats in the US House of Representatives, who will control key committees next year, are preparing investigations into what they say was President Donald Trump’s politicisation and gutting of US spy agencies, including whether analysts have censored themselves to avoid retaliation.
Democrats in the US House of Representatives plan to investigate former President Donald Trump's alleged politicization and reduction of US spy agencies, according to Reuters. Jim Himes, a Connecticut Democrat and future chairman of the House intelligence committee, told Reuters that there is evidence of analysts being hesitant to write on controversial topics and of a decline in morale due to pressures.
Himes noted that there was little scrutiny of the intelligence community during the first two years of Trump's second term when he fired or forced out hundreds of officers and disrupted analysis on key issues like Iran. Himes expects to focus on "retaliatory firings" during his tenure, stating that he will uncover the stories of those who were fired for expressing views inconsistent with the president's beliefs.
Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reportedly cut her agency's staff by about 40% last year, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe pledged to reduce his workforce by over 1,000 positions. Both actions included deferred-resignation programs that provided pay and benefits for employees who chose to leave, including the firing of experienced analysts and officers from top posts.
The reductions have been seen as part of Trump's campaign against what he called the "deep state," and critics argue that it has drained the intelligence community of experience and expertise.
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