Tulsi Gabbard Fires CIA Russia Expert After Trump-Putin Summit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard abruptly ousted a CIA Russia specialist days after Trump’s meeting with Putin. The officer’s security clearance was revoked, raising questions about politicization and cover identity exposure. The move highlights tensions between Gabbard and the CIA leadership.
CIA Shake-Up Quick Looks
- DNI Tulsi Gabbard ousted CIA Russia expert post-Trump-Putin meeting
- Security clearance revoked in memo naming 37 intelligence officers
- Controversy: officer allegedly under cover status when exposed publicly
- Gabbard accused of politicizing intelligence “depoliticization” purge
- CIA leadership caught off guard by sudden dismissal
- DNI defends action: claims officers “weaponized or leaked” intelligence
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe at odds with Gabbard’s approach
- 30% of Gabbard’s own agency dismissed since her appointment
- White House Counsel coordinated clearance revocations list
- Episode underscores strained relations inside U.S. intelligence community
Deep Look: Gabbard Ousts CIA Officer After Trump-Putin Meeting
In a dramatic shake-up inside the U.S. intelligence community, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard has revoked the security clearance of a CIA Russia expert just days after President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The decision has sparked controversy, particularly because the officer may have been operating under cover at the time of her dismissal.
According to multiple sources, the officer was part of a CIA team that helped brief Trump’s national security staff before his summit with Putin. Gabbard’s memo, issued last week, listed 37 current and former intelligence officials whose security clearances were stripped on grounds of “abusing public trust” through alleged leaks, politicization, or violations of intelligence standards.
Cover Identity Controversy
A source with direct knowledge said that the officer’s cover identity was compromised when Gabbard publicly named her in an X post, despite her previous public association with the CIA. Traditionally, CIA officers cycle between overt and covered assignments, raising concerns that Gabbard’s move may have breached security protocols.
A person close to Gabbard disputes that claim, saying the officer’s prior public affiliation meant she was no longer operating undercover. They also stressed that her removal had “nothing to do with Russia-related work” and that another intelligence official with comparable expertise would be promoted in her place.
Gabbard’s Rationale
A DNI spokesperson defended the purge, stating:
“Director Gabbard directed the revocations to ensure individuals who have weaponized, politicized, or leaked classified intelligence are no longer allowed to do so.”
Supporters argue that the decision aligns with Gabbard’s pledge to “depoliticize” U.S. intelligence agencies. However, critics inside the CIA view the ouster as another example of Gabbard’s aggressive reshaping of the intelligence community — often without adequate coordination with the agencies she oversees.
CIA-Gabbard Tensions Escalate
The move underscores growing bureaucratic friction between the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the CIA. Director John Ratcliffe and other senior officials reportedly felt blindsided by the announcement, despite claims from Gabbard’s allies that ODNI notified agencies beforehand.
The dismissal also adds to concerns about Gabbard’s broader approach. Since taking office, she has dismissed nearly 30% of her own agency staff, part of what she calls an effort to restore public trust in intelligence work. Critics argue the cuts have damaged morale and undermined institutional expertise.
White House Involvement
According to those familiar with the decision, the clearance revocations — including the CIA officer’s — were coordinated with the White House Counsel’s office. Gabbard’s allies maintain that her actions were not a surprise to the CIA, though sources within the agency suggest otherwise.
Implications for U.S. Intelligence
The removal of a Russia expert so soon after a high-stakes Trump-Putin meeting has fueled speculation about the political motivations behind the decision. It also highlights the delicate balance between national security oversight and political loyalty within Washington’s intelligence apparatus.
With Russia still central to U.S. foreign policy challenges, the abrupt ouster of an experienced CIA analyst raises pressing questions about whether intelligence assessments are being constrained or redirected at the highest levels of government.
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