US Intelligence Chief withholds Sensitive Info from Congress, sparking national security concerns.
The National Security Agency (NSA) has flagged an unusual phone call between two foreign intelligence officials discussing a person close to Donald Trump. The incident has raised eyebrows in Washington as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard allegedly withheld sensitive information from Congress.
According to a whistleblower's attorney, Andrew Bakaj, who was briefed on the details of the call, Gabbard received a paper copy of the intelligence report and took it directly to the president's chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Instead of allowing NSA officials to distribute the information further, Gabbard instructed them not to publish the report.
Gabbard then told the NSA not to share the intel with Congress, instructing them to transmit it directly to her office, according to Bakaj. This move has sparked concerns about the independence of the watchdog's office and potential compromise on national security.
The complaint was initially filed in May by a whistleblower who alleged that Gabbard had blocked highly classified intelligence from routine dispatch. The incident is believed to have been kept under lock and key for eight months, with the acting inspector general dismissing the complaint at the end of a 14-day review period.
Lawmakers have disagreed over the legality of Gabbard's conduct and the credibility of the whistleblower complaint. Democrats have raised questions about the delay in sharing the information, citing concerns that it was an effort to "bury" the complaint.
The contents of the whistleblower complaint are still largely unknown, with much of the information redacted by Gabbard's office citing executive privilege. The DNI's office has stated that Gabbard's actions were within her legal authority, but critics argue that this is a case of executive overreach and a potential breach of national security protocols.
The incident highlights the delicate balance between national security and transparency in government. As lawmakers continue to debate the issue, one thing is clear: the handling of sensitive information by intelligence officials has serious implications for the integrity of our democratic system.
The National Security Agency (NSA) has flagged an unusual phone call between two foreign intelligence officials discussing a person close to Donald Trump. The incident has raised eyebrows in Washington as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard allegedly withheld sensitive information from Congress.
According to a whistleblower's attorney, Andrew Bakaj, who was briefed on the details of the call, Gabbard received a paper copy of the intelligence report and took it directly to the president's chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Instead of allowing NSA officials to distribute the information further, Gabbard instructed them not to publish the report.
Gabbard then told the NSA not to share the intel with Congress, instructing them to transmit it directly to her office, according to Bakaj. This move has sparked concerns about the independence of the watchdog's office and potential compromise on national security.
The complaint was initially filed in May by a whistleblower who alleged that Gabbard had blocked highly classified intelligence from routine dispatch. The incident is believed to have been kept under lock and key for eight months, with the acting inspector general dismissing the complaint at the end of a 14-day review period.
Lawmakers have disagreed over the legality of Gabbard's conduct and the credibility of the whistleblower complaint. Democrats have raised questions about the delay in sharing the information, citing concerns that it was an effort to "bury" the complaint.
The contents of the whistleblower complaint are still largely unknown, with much of the information redacted by Gabbard's office citing executive privilege. The DNI's office has stated that Gabbard's actions were within her legal authority, but critics argue that this is a case of executive overreach and a potential breach of national security protocols.
The incident highlights the delicate balance between national security and transparency in government. As lawmakers continue to debate the issue, one thing is clear: the handling of sensitive information by intelligence officials has serious implications for the integrity of our democratic system.