President-elect Trump’s initial Cabinet picks prioritize unwavering loyalty over competence, nominating individuals like Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, despite their glaring lack of relevant experience. John Ratcliffe’s nomination for CIA Director, while less shocking, still raises concerns about politicization of intelligence. These choices, including Kristi Noem and Elise Stefanik, reflect a pattern of rewarding staunch Trump supporters, even at the expense of national security. The Senate’s confirmation votes will be crucial in determining whether these appointments proceed and, if so, how long they remain in power.
Read More
Anas Said, a 28-year-old Houston resident, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS and planning attacks in his city. Federal prosecutors allege that Said offered his home as a safe haven for ISIS members, expressed a desire to replicate the 9/11 attacks, and researched methods for creating explosives and using cellphones as detonators. While Said pleaded not guilty, the government claims he produced videos promoting ISIS and its violence, demonstrating a strong commitment to aiding the organization. If convicted, Said could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Read More
President-elect Trump’s transition team plans to deviate from the standard FBI background checks for some of his Cabinet picks, opting for private companies instead. This decision stems from a belief that the FBI process is slow and prone to political manipulation. While the president ultimately decides who receives intelligence access, circumventing traditional background checks is a departure from Washington norms. The move reflects Trump’s distrust of the national security establishment and raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding controversial nominees like Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard, who have faced prior investigations and criticism for their stances on foreign policy.
Read More
President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has yet to sign the necessary agreements with the Biden administration, delaying access to critical information and briefings ahead of his inauguration. This delay is partly due to concerns over a mandatory ethics pledge, required by law, which vows to avoid conflicts of interest upon taking office. The Trump team argues that their priority lies in selecting and vetting candidates for top Cabinet roles. However, experts warn that the failure to engage in the transition process could have severe consequences for national security, as the new administration will not be adequately prepared to govern on Day 1.
Read More
President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Director of National Intelligence, former Democratic lawmaker Tulsi Gabbard, has been criticized for her past statements and actions. Gabbard, a former Army National Guard soldier with no prior intelligence experience, has been accused of amplifying Russian propaganda and contradicting US intelligence assessments. Her tenure would likely be marked by clashes with government analysts who see Russia as a primary source of disinformation. While Gabbard has defended her positions, her critics cite her previous statements supporting Russia and criticizing US foreign policy as evidence of her lack of qualifications for the role. Her appointment has drawn concern from both Democrats and Republicans, highlighting a potential for controversy and conflict within the intelligence community.
Read More
The FBI has uncovered an extensive cyberespionage campaign orchestrated by Chinese government-backed hackers, targeting U.S. telecommunications networks and compromising the systems of telecommunications firms. These actions allowed the hackers to access call records and intercept private communications of U.S. individuals, particularly those involved in government and political affairs. The campaign also aimed to infiltrate sensitive government communication channels by seeking access to data managed under U.S. law enforcement programs, including those governed by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This latest revelation follows a series of alleged Chinese cyber intrusions, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by China’s cyberespionage activities against the United States.
Read More
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has expressed serious concerns regarding Donald Trump’s nominations of Rep. Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard for Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence respectively, calling for full FBI investigations into both candidates before their Senate confirmation hearings. Bolton specifically cited Gabbard’s past espousal of Russian propaganda and Gaetz’s ongoing Justice Department investigation as reasons for concern, stating their appointments pose a “serious threat” to national security and intelligence gathering. He believes these appointments represent a significant departure from traditional practices and raise alarming questions about the integrity and competence of the Trump administration.
Read More
President-elect Trump’s nomination of Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence is deeply concerning, as her views on China, Russia, and Syria align with those of our adversaries. Gabbard’s record shows a willingness to blame the United States for the actions of hostile powers and disregard their threats to our national security. This nomination, if approved, would place a person with ideological sympathy for our adversaries in control of America’s intelligence community, jeopardizing our national security. The Senate must prioritize the nation’s safety and reject this nomination.
Read More
President-elect Trump’s nomination of former Representative Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence is deeply concerning. Gabbard, with no intelligence experience, has shown alarming pro-Assad and pro-Putin sentiments, even blaming NATO and the U.S. for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Her views align with Russian propaganda and have even raised concerns from conservative commentators. This appointment poses a serious threat to national security, as Gabbard’s positions on foreign policy could compromise sensitive intelligence and undermine American interests. The Senate should exercise its constitutional duty to scrutinize this nomination and reject Gabbard’s appointment.
Read More
Asif William Rahman, a former U.S. government employee with top-secret clearance, has been charged with leaking classified information concerning Israel’s plans to attack Iran. The leaked documents, attributed to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, appeared on a Telegram channel and revealed Israel’s military preparations in response to Iran’s missile attack on October 1st. These documents were part of the “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing network and their unauthorized disclosure carries significant national security implications. Rahman was arrested in Cambodia and faces felony charges in Virginia, potentially resulting in lengthy prison sentences.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker