The Intelligence Community Is Backing Gina Haspel, So Should Democrats
TOP TAKEAWAYS
- CIA Deputy Director Gina Haspel is President Trump's pick to head the Central Intelligence Agency, and would be the first female CIA Director if confirmed.
- A bipartisan group of former leaders in the intelligence community have endorsed Gina Haspel to be the next Director of the CIA, including three CIA Directors, two Acting CIA Directors, one Director of National Intelligence, and one National Security Agency Director.
- President Obama's former CIA Director John Brennan called Haspel an "exceptionally well-respected professional" who deserves the chance to "take the helm at the CIA."
- President Obama's former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta stated he was glad Haspel was chosen to head CIA and noted that she "knows the CIA inside out."
- President Bush's former CIA and NSA Director Michael Hayden called Haspel "the absolute best choice to be director of CIA."
- Former Obama Administration Director of National Intelligence James Clapper called Haspel "highly capable" and "widely respected."
- More than 50 former senior U.S. government officials have expressed their unqualified support for Haspel in a letter to the Chairmen of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
FORMER AND CURRENT INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONALS FROM BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICANS ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE ENDORSED HASPEL
In March 2018, President Trump Nominated CIA Deputy Director Gina Haspel To Be CIA Director
On March 13, 2018, President Trump Announced He Would Nominate Gina Haspel To Be The Next Director Of The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "President Trump said on Tuesday that he will nominate Gina Haspel to be his new CIA Director, replacing Mike Pompeo who will replace Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State." (Alayna Treene, "Meet Gina Haspel, Who Could Be The First Female CIA Director," Axios , 03/13/18)
Gina Haspel Is A Career Intelligence Officer Who Joined The CIA In 1985 And Has Served In Numerous Senior Leadership Positions Within The Agency. "Ms. Haspel is a career intelligence officer, having joined the CIA in 1985. She has extensive overseas experience and served as Chief of Station in several of her assignments. In Washington, she has held numerous senior leadership positions, including as Deputy Director of the National Clandestine Service, Deputy Director of the National Clandestine Service for Foreign Intelligence and Covert Action, and Chief of Staff for the Director of the National Clandestine Service." ("Gina Haspel," Central Intelligence Agency , Accessed 05/04/18)
Haspel Has Received Numerous Awards For Her Service, Including The Presidential Rank Award, The Most Prestigious Award In The Federal Civil Service. "Ms. Haspel is the recipient of numerous awards including the George H. W. Bush Award for excellence in counterterrorism; the Donovan Award; the Intelligence Medal of Merit; and the Presidential Rank Award, the most prestigious award in the federal civil service." ("Gina Haspel," Central Intelligence Agency , Accessed 05/04/18)
If Confirmed, Haspel Would Be The Central Intelligence Agency's First Female Director. "Haspel, 61, has worked in the CIA since 1985. Her appointment as Deputy Director of the agency last year drew praise from former senior intelligence officials, and she will be the first female director of the CIA." (Alayna Treene, "Meet Gina Haspel, Who Could Be The First Female CIA Director," Axios , 03/13/18)
Three Former CIA Directors And Many Senior Intelligence Community Leaders Have Endorsed Haspel, Calling Her "Competent," "Well-Respected," And "The Absolute Best Choice To Be Director"
Former Obama Administration CIA Director John Brennan Called Haspel An "Exceptionally Well-Respected Professional Within CIA." FORMER CIA DIRECTOR JOHN BRENNAN: "Gina is an exceptionally well-respected professional within CIA. She has held a number of senior-level positions over the years, and has acquitted herself very competently." (MSNBC's "The 11th Hour," 03/13/18)
- Brennan: Haspel Has The "Experience - The Breadth And Depth - On Intelligence Issues" That She Will Be Able To Provide "Unvarnished, Apolitical, Objective Intelligence To Donald Trump And To Others." BRENNAN: "And I think she has the experience-the breadth and depth-on intelligence issues in dealing with these meddlesome foreign policy issues for many, many years so that she will be able to provide that unvarnished, apolitical, objective intelligence input to Donald Trump and to others." (MSNBC's "The 11th Hour," 03/13/18)
- Brennan: "Gina Is A Very Competent Professional Who I Think Deserves The Chance To Take The Helm At The CIA." BRENNAN: "Gina is a very competent professional who I think deserves the chance to take the helm at the CIA." MSNBC's HALLIE JACKSON: "Two quick questions sir before I let you go. Do you vouch for her as new head of the CIA?" BRENNAN: "I vouch for her capabilities, her experience, her expertise and I do have confidence that she will carry out the duties of Director well." (MSNBC's "Live With Hallie Jackson," 03/13/18)
- Brennan Was Appointed CIA Director In 2013 By President Barack Obama. "John O. Brennan was sworn in as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency on March 8, 2013."("John Brennan," About CIA , Accessed 05/04/18)
Former Obama CIA Director Leon Panetta Said He Was "Glad" Gina Haspel Would Be The First Women Head Of CIA And Noted That She "Really Knows The CIA Inside Out." FORMER CIA DIRECTOR LEON PANETTA: "I'm glad they have a first woman as head of CIA, and I'm glad it's Gina, because frankly, she is someone who really knows the CIA inside out." (CNN's "New Day," 03/14/18)
- Panetta Served As CIA Director And Then Secretary Of Defense Under President Obama. "He co-directed it with her until 2009, when he left to serve as CIA director and then secretary of defense under President Obama." ("Leon Panetta," The Panetta Institute For Public Policy , Accessed 05/04/18)
Former CIA Director Michael Hayden Called Haspel "The Absolute Best Choice To Be Director Of CIA." FORMER CIA DIRECTOR MICHAEL HAYDEN: "[Haspel] is the absolute best choice to be Director of CIA." ("The Hugh Hewitt Show," 05/02/18)
Hayden: "Gina Haspel Is The Person American Needs At CIA" (Michael Hayden, Op-Ed, "Why Gina Haspel Is The Person America Needs At The CIA," The Hill , 04/14/18)
- Hayden Served As Director Of The National Security Agency Under President Bush And Director Of The Central Intelligence Agency Under Presidents Bush And Obama. ("Michael Hayden," The Chertoff Group , Accessed 05/04/18)
Former Obama Administration Director Of National Intelligence James Clapper Stated He Thought The World Of Gina And Called Her "Capable, Smart, Very Experienced, Well Respected By The Agency Rank And File, And A Great Person." FORMER DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE JAMES CLAPPER: "I think the world of Gina; she is capable, smart, very experienced, well respected by the Agency rank and file, and a great person." (CNN's "The Lead," 03/13/18)
- Clapper Served As Director Of National Intelligence During The Obama Administration From August 9, 2010 To January 20, 2017. "The Honorable James R. Clapper, Jr. served as the Director of National Intelligence at Office of the Director of National Intelligence from August 9, 2010 to January 20, 2017." ("James R. Clapper Jr.," Bloomberg , Accessed 05/07/18)
Former CIA Deputy Director And Former White House Deputy National Security Advisor Avril Haines Called Haspel "Intelligent," "Compassionate," And "Fair," And Said She Had An "Unparalleled Understanding" Of The CIA. "Gina Haspel is intelligent, compassionate, and fair. Moreover, Gina has an unparalleled understanding of the institution, the Agency's work, and she will support the workforce -- all attributes the Agency needs from its Director." (Press Release, "Bipartisan Support For Gina Haspel's Nomination To Be CIA Director From Distinguished National Security Leaders," Central Intelligence Agency , 03/19/18)
- Haines Served In The Obama Administration As The First Female Deputy Director Of The CIA And The First Female White House Deputy National Security Adviser. "During the Obama administration, Haines broke two glass ceilings: She was not only the first woman to hold the number two position at the CIA but also the first female White House deputy national security adviser." ("A Top Intelligence Officer Joins The Law School," Columbia Law School , Accessed 05/04/18)
Former Acting CIA Director And CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell Said Haspel Was "Highly Capable," And Cared "Deeply About The Mission Of The Agency And She Cares Deeply About The Men And Women Of The Agency." "She is highly capable, she has deep integrity, and she has the best interests of the country, the Agency, and the men and women who serve it at heart. She is widely respected both across CIA and from top to bottom, and she will be welcomed in the new job by both current and former employees." (Press Release, "Bipartisan Support For Gina Haspel's Nomination To Be CIA Director From Distinguished National Security Leaders," Central Intelligence Agency , 03/19/18)
- Morell Said He "Found [Haspel] To Be Simply Exceptional" And That "She Gets Things Done In A Quiet Yet Effective Way, And She Is Calm Under Fire." "I worked closely with Haspel from 2006 until my retirement from the Agency in 2013. During that time, I found her to be simply exceptional. She provides advice based on facts and analysis of facts. She gets things done in a quiet, yet effective way, and she is calm under fire. She appreciates the work of all CIA officers - analysts, scientists, and support specialists, as much as she appreciates operations officers. Haspel does more than most senior CIA officers to ensuring that all officers get the training, assignments, and experiences they need to succeed. Officers of all levels of seniority speak of the time she spends with them and what they have learned from that." (Michael Morell, Op-Ed, "Haspel Hailed By CIA Vets," The Cipher Brief , 02/02/17)
- Morell Served As Acting Director Of The Central Intelligence Agency Under President Obama. "Michael Morell, former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency during the Obama Administration, is one of our nation's leading national security professionals…" ("Michael Morell," The University Of Chicago , Accessed 05/04/18)
Former Acting CIA Director John E. McLaughlin Said He Couldn't "Think Of A Better Person Than Gina" To Head The CIA. "'If you were picking a professional officer to head the agency I can't think of a better person than Gina' says John E. McLaughlin, a former acting director of the CIA." (Elias Groll, "A Torturer To Critics, A Consummate Professional To Colleagues," Foreign Policy , 03/13/18)
- McLaughlin Served As Deputy Director And Acting Director Of CIA Under President George W. Bush. ("John McLaughlin," The Central Intelligence Agency , Accessed 05/04/18)
Former CIA Deputy Executive Director Carmen Landa Middleton Called Haspel "A Highly Effective Senior Leader" And A "Generous And Self-Effacing Individual." "I had the privilege of working with Gina for several years, and in addition to a highly effective senior leader, I found her to be a generous and self-effacing individual." (Carmen Landa Middleton, Op-Ed, "Gina Haspel Stands Ready To Break The Glass Ceiling. Let Her," The Cipher Brief , 04/03/18)
- Middleton Noted That Haspel Was A Role Model For Women At The Agency And Went About Her Work "Managing And Leading With A High Degree Of Humility And Service." "In meeting with this senior female leader for the first time, it was clear to me that Gina had no idea that she was a role model for women at the agency based on her success in the notoriously male-dominated culture of CIA operations. She went about her work managing and leading with a high degree of humility and service, not thinking about her 'brand' or reputation, but rather the mission that needed to be accomplished and the people whom she led." (Carmen Landa Middleton, Op-Ed, "Gina Haspel Stands Ready To Break The Glass Ceiling. Let Her," The Cipher Brief , 04/03/18)
- Middleton Served As Deputy Executive Director Of The CIA. "Carmen Landa Middleton is the former deputy executive director of the CIA." ("Carmen Landa Middleton," The Cipher Brief , Accessed 05/07/18)
Former Director Of U.S. National Clandestine Service John Bennett Called Haspel "One Of The Most Accomplished Officers Of Her Generation." "That said, she is one of the most accomplished officers of her generation, having held a series of major field commands and headquarters positions. She has served in Europe, in denied areas and the Third World. She has taken on some of the most demanding and least rewarding assignments in the War on Terror, not because she sought them out, but because she felt it was her duty during the time of greatest anxiety and uncertainty for the American people in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. She has a proven track record in multiple assignments of being able to work productively with key foreign partners as well as the FBI." (Cipher Brief Analysis, "Haspel Nominated To Lead CIA, Pompeo To Replace Tillerson," The Cipher Brief , 03/13/18)
- Bennett: "[Haspel] Is Extremely Smart, Strong And Unfailingly Honest" And "Totally Committed To The CIA's Mission." "She is extremely smart, strong and unfailingly honest. She is totally committed to the CIA's mission. Her relationship with the former CIA chief Pompeo will only be a plus if he is to become Secretary of State. It will be very reassuring for the CIA work force that the president has selected a respected career professional to be the next DCIA." (Cipher Brief Analysis, "Haspel Nominated To Lead CIA, Pompeo To Replace Tillerson," The Cipher Brief , 03/13/18)
- Bennett Served As Director Of The CIA's National Clandestine Service. "John Bennett retired from the Central Intelligence Agency in 2013 after a 33 years of service. His senior assignments included: Director, National Clandestine Service, Deputy Director, NCS for Community Humint, Chief, Special Activities Division and Deputy Chief, Africa Division." ("John Bennett," The Cipher Brief , Accessed 05/07/18)
Former Chief Of Staff At The Department Of Defense And The Central Intelligence Agency Jeremy Bash Called Gina Haspel "Among The Most Qualified People Ever Nominated To Lead The CIA." "Haspel has served as agency's deputy director for the past year, having previously served in senior roles in the directorate of operations and as chief of station in a major allied capital. During the years after 9/11, she worked on a range of sensitive counterterrorism missions. Quite simply, she is among the most qualified people ever nominated to lead the CIA." (Jeremy Bash, "Gina Haspel Is The Rare CIA Director Nominee That Both Parties Should Love," NBC News , 05/02/18)
- Bash Served As Chief Of Staff To The Director Of The CIA And As Chief Of Staff to The Secretary Of Defense Under President Obama. "Mr. Bash has spent the past 15 years advising national leaders and chief executives on a range of strategic, management, legal, and policy issues. He is the only Obama Administration official to have served as Chief of Staff in two national security departments or agencies: first as Chief of Staff to the Director of the CIA (2009-2011) and most recently as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (2011-2013)." ("Jeremy Bash," Beacon Global Strategies , Accessed 05/07/18)
Former CIA Acting General Counsel And Senior Deputy General Counsel Robert Eatinger Said That If Confirmed, Haspel "Will Be A Great CIA Director." "If confirmed, Gina will be a great CIA director. She is a very experienced and thoughtful operations officer who has held a series of leadership posts. She has the experience independently to assess the potential for success of proposed operations. She is also uniquely positioned to weigh anticipated intelligence gains against potential long-term losses. That strength in leadership, especially when learned in the 'school of hard knocks,' is today often undervalued by those seeking only the satisfaction of retribution." (Cipher Brief Analysis, "Haspel Nominated To Lead CIA, Pompeo To Replace Tillerson," The Cipher Brief , 03/13/18)
- Eatinger Served As The Senior Acting And Deputy General Counsel Of The Central Intelligence Agency Under President Obama. "Bob is the founding Principal of SpyLaw Consulting for Business, LLC. Previously, Bob was the Senior Deputy General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency. He served as CIA's Acting General Counsel from October 2013 to March 2014." ("Robert Eatinger," The Cipher Brief , Accessed 05/07/18)
Former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey Called Haspel "Superbly Well Qualified To Head The CIA" And Asserted That "Anyone Concerned With Protecting This Nation's Security Should Welcome Her Nomination." "Gina Haspel is superbly well qualified to head the CIA, not only by experience in directing the Agency's operations but also by the well-earned esteem she has throughout the intelligence community. Anyone concerned with protecting this nation's security should welcome her nomination." (Press Release, "Bipartisan Support For Gina Haspel's Nomination To Be CIA Director From Distinguished National Security Leaders," Central Intelligence Agency , 03/19/18)
- Mukasey Served As Attorney General From November 2007 Until January 2009. "As Attorney General from November 2007 to January 2009, he oversaw the U.S. Department of Justice and advised on critical issues of domestic and international law." ("Michael B. Mukasey," Debevoise & Plimpton , Accessed 05/07/18)
Former Defense Intelligence Agency Deputy Director Doug Wise Said "Haspel Has Been Tested By Some Of The Toughest Battles This Nation Has Seen, And She Is Up To The Task." "The woman you are considering to lead the CIA has been tested by some of the toughest battles this nation has seen, and she is up to the task. In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm not objective on the subject of Gina Haspel. Throughout my nearly three decades of service in the CIA's Directorate of Operations, she and I worked on some of the most difficult tasks given to the agency. By the end of my career with CIA, she was an experienced and highly accomplished CIA deputy director while I was her counterpart in the Defense Intelligence Agency." (Doug Wise, "CIA Nominee Haspel's History Of "Taking The Tough Jobs," The Cipher Brief , 04/08/18)
- Doug Wise Served As Deputy Director Of The Defense Intelligence Agency From August 2014 Until August 2016. "Douglas H. Wise served as Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from August 2014 until August 2016. Following 20 years of active duty in the Army where he served as an infantry and special operations officer, he spent the remainder of his career at CIA." ("Doug Wise," The Cipher Brief , Accessed 05/07/18)
More Than 50 Former Senior U.S. Government Officials Expressed Their "Strong Support" For Haspel In A Letter To The Chairmen Of The Senate Intelligence Committee
More Than 50 Former Senior U.S. Government Officials Sent A Letter To The Senate Intelligence Committee Supporting Gina Haspel To Lead CIA. "More than 50 former senior U.S. government officials sent a letter to the Senate intelligence committee Monday to support Trump nominee Gina Haspel to lead CIA." (The Cipher Brief Staff, "Full Court Press For Haspel - Letter From Fifty Former Officials," The Cipher Brief , 04/09/18)
- The Signatories Expressed Their "Strong Support For The Nomination Of Gina Haspel To Serve As Director Of The Central Intelligence Agency." "As national security leaders who have helped safeguard America against global threats and challenges over many decades, we write to express our strong support for the nomination of Gina Haspel to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)." (50 Former Senior Government Officials, "Letter To Senators Richard Burr And Mark Warner," 04/09/18)
- The Signatories Called Haspel A "Proven Leader Who Inspires Others And Has What It Takes To Make Tough Calls In Times Of Crisis." "Ms. Haspel is a proven leader who inspires others and has what it takes to make tough calls in times of crisis. She is a true intelligence professional who brings care, integrity and a commitment to the rule of law to her work every day. She will speak truth to power, offering unbiased intelligence to policymakers no matter how difficult the situation." (50 Former Senior Government Officials, "Letter To Senators Richard Burr And Mark Warner," 04/09/18)
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