Thanks for your service to the US and thanks for sharing your insights here.
43
What does anyone expect from out Manchurian Candidate?
33
Why did Trump encourage Russia hacking? Was it because he is a terrible secret keeper?
Why did Trump fight so hard to stop all election recounts? What would the re-counts have revealed?
Why did Trump take a call from Putin hours after presidential election?
What business dealings does Trump and clan have with Russia?
Flirting with Treason>
Why did Trump fight so hard to stop all election recounts? What would the re-counts have revealed?
Why did Trump take a call from Putin hours after presidential election?
What business dealings does Trump and clan have with Russia?
Flirting with Treason>
74
Bully Trump will destroy the reputation of the US across the world. Even though weak-kneed americans may yield to His Craziness, others will not. Sad!
19
At this point, after reading this, I am done with trump. I don't believe anything he says. I guess I can somewhat understand how the CIA and intelligence community feels.
What I am most angry at though is the GOP. How can these so called "leaders" continue with their unpatriotic power grab? How can they sit by and watch this mess? I have ZERO respect for all of them. Lindsey Graham is really the only one who shows that he cares for the future of our country.
I honestly don't get their end game either. What good is their money and power going to do them when ALL is gone and most of the citizens have nothing?
What I am most angry at though is the GOP. How can these so called "leaders" continue with their unpatriotic power grab? How can they sit by and watch this mess? I have ZERO respect for all of them. Lindsey Graham is really the only one who shows that he cares for the future of our country.
I honestly don't get their end game either. What good is their money and power going to do them when ALL is gone and most of the citizens have nothing?
30
Did the CIA push the idea that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction?
I seem to remember that idea being a product of the parallel White House 'intelligence' operation that was created during the Bush administration when they didn't agree with the information that they were getting from our intelligence services.
It looks like Trump will just skip the intelligence part of the equation when it comes to decisions.
I seem to remember that idea being a product of the parallel White House 'intelligence' operation that was created during the Bush administration when they didn't agree with the information that they were getting from our intelligence services.
It looks like Trump will just skip the intelligence part of the equation when it comes to decisions.
25
Any other citizen making Donald Trump's dismissive comments about Russian meddling in our election and the intelligence agencies' investigation of it would be labeled a traitor to America, or worse.
30
I have never cared for Clapper. I have always felt he was very dangerous to this country. His danger was his belief that his view of "patriotic duty" outweighs everything, including lying to Congress. The lies he made, that he admitted to, should have led to criminal prosecution as it is a federal crime to lie to a Senate Committee during an investigation.
However, he can somewhat redeem himself by taking Trumps actions to heart and resigning. If the heads of the CIA, NSA and FBI all resign together, their actions will be a serious, very serious, rebuke to Trump. I also believe Comey will do much for his reputation by resigning. His interference in the election, which he seems to have gotten away with, can be somewhat balanced by his resignation as the Director of the FBI.
However, he can somewhat redeem himself by taking Trumps actions to heart and resigning. If the heads of the CIA, NSA and FBI all resign together, their actions will be a serious, very serious, rebuke to Trump. I also believe Comey will do much for his reputation by resigning. His interference in the election, which he seems to have gotten away with, can be somewhat balanced by his resignation as the Director of the FBI.
9
Aside from Mr Trump's attitude towards national intelligence agency, there is overwhelming evidence that the US election has been tampered with and thus the results are suspect. Why is the election not being declared null and void, and another one scheduled? If the US were "observing" an election in another country and found such overwhelming evidence of malfeasance, we would be screaming for a re-take.
37
Trump is no different than the four low life's who tormented a mentally challenged young man this week. He Tweets to puff up his own ideas and he Tweets to denigrate others who might offer other ideas or even, worse yet-- a challenge to his own. He is a pathetic excuse for a human being but he can and will create lots of pain and danger for everyone else as long as a pusillanimous Congress remains more afraid of his supporters and election challenges from the Right than they are true to the Constitution and the Nation.
28
People who know the intel business and its people well know that Morell's words are self-serving nonsense. Morell also has an arms-length relationship with the truth in general; he's a hack who lost his chance at a key role in an HRC administration. Funny how so many Dems who have been so quick to toss the Agency under the bus with unfair accusations now treat it like Mom and Apple Pie. What hypocrisy.
18
All demagogues blocks the interests of their own nation . They see no reality , and facts does not matter. Trump mental stability is equal zero. I am not a fan of CIA, NSA, DEA.... For long time they did more damage around the globe than productivity, or security, but he needs to stop and respect all institutions. We are in good position so far, because of our strong institutions. Trump will not change, he may have business with Oligarchs, and he careless about the consequences, simply because he does not understand how things really function in government, diplomatic, and strategics issues. He has no capacity to think normal , and we have plenty proof of that. We can not seat and let the GOP, and associates run this nation their way. We need to mobilize very strong before the damage is done . Trump's behavior fits perfect for many in this society. He is typical arrogant, self-centered, with zero compassion for the middle americans. His whole life was and is about his image, ego, his own profit and he hates people that act or confront him. Don't forget, that he will take the number one position . I will never understand why so many americans adore his narcissistic personality and voted for him. All Journalists will have an important position. We all need you to do the best work you can. Together we'll win.
28
He doesn't know what he doesn't know.
19
The hacking happened on Obama's watch. He knew about it before the election. As did the crackerjack CIA and FBI. But nothing was done probably because Hillary was so far ahead in the misleading NYT polls. The blame is entirely on the Democrats.
10
The sight of Democrats pompously and righteously defending the unquestionable honesty and trustworthiness of the CIA and FBI is Orwellian and disgusting. Shame on them!
17
That current or former CIA employees have the audacity to preach to us about the iIlegality of hacking and meddling into the elections of other countries is utterly laughable. You, Mr. CIA and all your colleagues, have zero credibility - ZERO. That's your core business - hacking and interferring!! Your extraordinary incompetence and politicization of your agency allowed the deaths of 3000 on Sept. 11, 2001 - even though you had REAL intelligence! You couldn't protect us then OR now. 15 years later, none of us who lost loved ones or were injured have heard ONE apology from you and your colleagues. Not ONE of you was fired! How about Iraq with your total confidence in bogus information? Libya - Khaddafi's so-called plans to murder his own people? Ukraine? Honduras? Lies lies lies. Finally, Americans are waking up. The emperor has no clothes.
14
DT foreign business holdings could well be subject you black ops .
Oops.pick a fight mr t ? We all know you ain't smart...this confirms it....
Oops.pick a fight mr t ? We all know you ain't smart...this confirms it....
4
Putin is cock-a-hoop. President-elect Trump is undermining US intelligence agencies while Russian ones are devoting more and more resources to undermining US democracy.
13
Give the guy a chance, will you?
He's only BEGINNING to screw things up and he's not even president yet.
He's only BEGINNING to screw things up and he's not even president yet.
19
There is perhaps no institution in our government that more risk and more reward than the CIA. It is refreshing and encouraging that a President takes the CIA with a grain or salt or two. The CIA is a lying machine. THAT is what it does best. It lies to foreign governments and I don't believe it is afraid to lie to the U.S. government or a U.S. president (just ask George Bush!). It has goals and projects that are kept secret.
Thank you President Trump. Giv'em hell. Shift through the bullshit and let's see what facts are in the end.
Thank you President Trump. Giv'em hell. Shift through the bullshit and let's see what facts are in the end.
8
The sooner that Donald J. Trump is found to be a TRAITOR...to the USA//
Well you the journalists of the Fourth Estate will earn your Pulitzers...
GET CRACKING...NOW !!!!
Well you the journalists of the Fourth Estate will earn your Pulitzers...
GET CRACKING...NOW !!!!
46
Just in five minutes, in today's Times, I'm bombarded with Trump's treasonous dismissal of our intelligence services, cabinet picks and top appointees attempting to skate through conflict-of-interest vetting, and his son-in-law and other family members doing deals with China and God knows who else.
When will we say ENOUGH? Do we REALLY have to endure this filth and sleaze for the next 4 years?
When will we say ENOUGH? Do we REALLY have to endure this filth and sleaze for the next 4 years?
59
Doesn't sound unwise to pick a fight with the FBI and CIA when your own past is murky and full of potential time bombs that could scuttle your presidency? Put that in your Twitter feed Trump.
17
Indeed, I hope it is a crusade so whatever real inadequacies of conclusion such Agencies of the Federal Government operate one is gone through with a lice comb to remove all vestiges of wrong carefully patch woven into each's fabric over the last eight years.
Take the the Santiago case or example. When a man with his history, walks in a security establishment, with our history) and relates an easily understood delusion (the gov't is forcing me to watch ISIS propaganda) without immediate psychiatric admission to a hospital, then folks...THEY ARE FREE TO GO KILL PEOPLE.
Take the the Santiago case or example. When a man with his history, walks in a security establishment, with our history) and relates an easily understood delusion (the gov't is forcing me to watch ISIS propaganda) without immediate psychiatric admission to a hospital, then folks...THEY ARE FREE TO GO KILL PEOPLE.
6
Will NYT EVER GET IT?
HRC & USA paid the cost for this most recent failure of the Fourth Estate...But, here we go again...
First 3 articles today, above the fold, ALL have versions of...
"Russian Hacking had NO Effect on Election Outcome!"....
(in YUGE, eyecatching font)
......says trump (avg font).
Cynically playing on the sad fact that many people, unfortunately, never read the associated articles or cannot keep up with the deluge of daily articles & editorials...So they just scan the headlines, & negatively associate the name, with the face...
Repeat process 24/7...
AD INFINITUM,
The negative associations &
implications of guilt by association...
"Where theres smoke theres fire"...
Begins the Death of a Thousand Cuts!
Until, like Pavlov's dogs, someone blows the "right" whistle...& the fact is that a lot of folks are obviously susceptible to it. It seems an insidious form of propaganda, slower & lower profile, but obviously effective.
st like NYT et al did HRC
HRC & USA paid the cost for this most recent failure of the Fourth Estate...But, here we go again...
First 3 articles today, above the fold, ALL have versions of...
"Russian Hacking had NO Effect on Election Outcome!"....
(in YUGE, eyecatching font)
......says trump (avg font).
Cynically playing on the sad fact that many people, unfortunately, never read the associated articles or cannot keep up with the deluge of daily articles & editorials...So they just scan the headlines, & negatively associate the name, with the face...
Repeat process 24/7...
AD INFINITUM,
The negative associations &
implications of guilt by association...
"Where theres smoke theres fire"...
Begins the Death of a Thousand Cuts!
Until, like Pavlov's dogs, someone blows the "right" whistle...& the fact is that a lot of folks are obviously susceptible to it. It seems an insidious form of propaganda, slower & lower profile, but obviously effective.
st like NYT et al did HRC
4
Trump wants the the world to know he won the election fair and square whether he did or not. Judicial Watch, Fox News, James Comey and Vladimir Putin were all just bystanders to his ascension to POTUS. Reminds me of , "don't believe your eyes ,believe my words instead".
11
Hey, The Donald is way more interested and engaged in tracking the ratings of his successor Arnold Schwarzenegger on "The Apprentice" than in any of this boring CIA stuff! Why the American people can't see that this guy (Trump) is incapable of wrapping his brain around anything more complex than the ole pussy grab is our national disgrace. Trump makes the Ahnold look like a genius and the Virgin Mary rolled into one.
20
I can understand the unease of those in the upper ranks and political positions in our intelligence community. Their term on the gravy train is pulling in the station and they will be forced off the train.
As for the folks in the trenches, Keep your chins up. Once President Trump assumes power, the shackles and lead weights Obama strapped around your necks will be removed. Once again you will be able to infiltrate our adversaries ranks and do what you do best, gather information.
No longer will you be required to sit in the office and drink coffee all day long, or go out on assignment with both hands tied behind you back. You will have leadership that will STAND UP FOR YOU you as you do your jobs, rather than leadership that stood behind you (sometimes miles behind ya).
As for the folks in the trenches, Keep your chins up. Once President Trump assumes power, the shackles and lead weights Obama strapped around your necks will be removed. Once again you will be able to infiltrate our adversaries ranks and do what you do best, gather information.
No longer will you be required to sit in the office and drink coffee all day long, or go out on assignment with both hands tied behind you back. You will have leadership that will STAND UP FOR YOU you as you do your jobs, rather than leadership that stood behind you (sometimes miles behind ya).
3
There is no "Precedent" for this President. His Goal is to be the Sole Attention....the Ubiquitous COA....Center Of Attention.
9
Its time for the NYTimes to run a weekly front page column - the whole page if need be - listing each and every Trump mis-step, and outright lie. Dated, and printed verbatim. And NO editorializing! Just the facts, maam.
Such as the "secret information" he allegedly has - on the Clintons, a few other GOP'ers, the women who accused him of assault, the Russian hacking...to name but a few.
The press and of course CONGRESS - has got to hold his feet and little hands to the fires, or the whole of the Republic is doomed.
Such as the "secret information" he allegedly has - on the Clintons, a few other GOP'ers, the women who accused him of assault, the Russian hacking...to name but a few.
The press and of course CONGRESS - has got to hold his feet and little hands to the fires, or the whole of the Republic is doomed.
20
Go New York Times Go!!
I remember those golden days of yesteryear, when, in the eyes of the NYTimes, Bush2, the monster, repeated the evil CIA's lies to start a war for Halliburton. I can remember as well the VITAL national security interest of Hillary handing over a child's toy button to the Russian Ambassador to placate Vlad the Impaler AT ALL COSTS for the sake of world peace.
Long before that, it was essential for the survival of Constitutional government in this country for the NYTimes to publish Dr. Ellsberg's stolen CIA documents steering back further decades, in order to expose more CIA lies than Carter has pills, as my mother used to say. Not only that, but surrounding the Pentagon with "dissenters" and a young John Kerry calling his fellows mainly war criminals and throwing away his medals were the ultimate acts of bravery.
Not all that long ago, I can remember Bill Clinton interfering in Bibi Netanyahu's first victorious election of many, and even more recently Barack Obama Bibi's last past victory, all set to the music played by the NYTimes that such interference was as grand an idea as the 'Ole Opry."
But, Go NYTimes, GO!!!
It's a new age, and now we should ALL HATE RUSSIA and ALL HATE BIG POWER ELECTION INTERFERENCE IN OTHER NATIONS' ELECTIONS!!!
No, I didn't vote for Trump or the runner up.
I remember those golden days of yesteryear, when, in the eyes of the NYTimes, Bush2, the monster, repeated the evil CIA's lies to start a war for Halliburton. I can remember as well the VITAL national security interest of Hillary handing over a child's toy button to the Russian Ambassador to placate Vlad the Impaler AT ALL COSTS for the sake of world peace.
Long before that, it was essential for the survival of Constitutional government in this country for the NYTimes to publish Dr. Ellsberg's stolen CIA documents steering back further decades, in order to expose more CIA lies than Carter has pills, as my mother used to say. Not only that, but surrounding the Pentagon with "dissenters" and a young John Kerry calling his fellows mainly war criminals and throwing away his medals were the ultimate acts of bravery.
Not all that long ago, I can remember Bill Clinton interfering in Bibi Netanyahu's first victorious election of many, and even more recently Barack Obama Bibi's last past victory, all set to the music played by the NYTimes that such interference was as grand an idea as the 'Ole Opry."
But, Go NYTimes, GO!!!
It's a new age, and now we should ALL HATE RUSSIA and ALL HATE BIG POWER ELECTION INTERFERENCE IN OTHER NATIONS' ELECTIONS!!!
No, I didn't vote for Trump or the runner up.
9
There is very little distance between what's on Trump's mind and his latest burst of twitter diarrhea. The recent security bombshells might jolt him into more thoughtful interaction with the twittersphere (highly unlikely), or perhaps finally get the 'adults' to take his phone away.
But it's much more important to look at what he and his administration actually does, and not be fooled by a 'chastened' Trump or the silver tongued lies of Kellyanne Conway, Mike Pence, and Sean Spicer.
Its a target rich environment, and, if it's done properly, this could be the golden age of investigative journalism.
But it's much more important to look at what he and his administration actually does, and not be fooled by a 'chastened' Trump or the silver tongued lies of Kellyanne Conway, Mike Pence, and Sean Spicer.
Its a target rich environment, and, if it's done properly, this could be the golden age of investigative journalism.
10
Technically Morrel's essay is substantially to the point: no state can insure its security without "intelligence" and political trust in its findings if not always its conclusions or recpmmendations.
However the CIA has always served the Administration in power and that has been , since Wilson, a derivative of the Establishment in which it is a corner stone!
Is the CIA always to be taken in trust irrespective !
Now that the ISA has in power an , in principle, anti establishment Aministration the issue seems to have come to an inevitable head!
However the CIA has always served the Administration in power and that has been , since Wilson, a derivative of the Establishment in which it is a corner stone!
Is the CIA always to be taken in trust irrespective !
Now that the ISA has in power an , in principle, anti establishment Aministration the issue seems to have come to an inevitable head!
2
Imagine the blowback if President Obama praised an adversary of the American government?
What does Putin have on Trump?
What does Putin have on Trump?
22
Just hope and pray that Trump doesn't turn out to be the true Manchurian Candidate.
5
It seems to me that the NSA-designate, LTG Michael Flynn, may be the principle source of Mr. Trump's disparagement of the CIA. Gen. Flynn was director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, whose disdainment of the CIA has been a notorious fact for decades. Gen. Flynn was held in disrepect by his own agency when he held that previous office, and was removed from it because he refused to accept the authority of the President he served.
It's possible that Mr. Trump has other "grounds" for dissing the CIA, but I think Gen. Flynn may be the primary source of it.
It's possible that Mr. Trump has other "grounds" for dissing the CIA, but I think Gen. Flynn may be the primary source of it.
15
Trump is not smart enough to be president. To his advisors: please shut down his twitter account. He's going to start a war.
10
The people who are going to start a war are those that are so vocal about Russia and don't even want to talk to Putin. Also, if Trump is so dumb, how did he beat both the Republicans and the Democrats? Lastly, the DNC led by Podesta and company can be hacked by a 14 year old! Pedesta is the dumb one. He got beat by someone he called stupid for a year. He never understood the rules and his candidate lost!
7
Let's face the facts: The 'weapons of mass destruction' rhetoric were manufactured by the Bush/Cheney administration. The result of that blunder resulted in the Middle East chaos we see now and the terreroism threat throughout the world. The first Bush went into Iraq and defended Kuwait who was stealing oil from Iraq. No doubt Sadam Husain was a bad guy but lies and innuendo have no place in democracy. Trump is a bully and will cause this country to lose its stature in the world. He cares about no one but himself and will spew lies and opinions as he sees fit. I hope those suckers who voted for him will have their consciousness raised and be better voters next time around. No doubt that Hillary had her issues but she has more experience in politics and world negotiation than anyone. However unless the Democrats get their act together we are in for a ride down a slippery slope.
10
Thank you, Mr. Morell. There is no excuse for Trump's disparagement of intelligence personnel. Clearly, Trump cannot tolerate the fact that he is not and never will be a legitimate "president". Instead, he is willing to put the country at serious risk. To him, the risk seems to be his wounded ego vs. genuinely wounded U.S. intelligence agencies. His words and actions have demonstrated and continue to demonstrate vividly that he will do anything to "win", which I take to mean in his mind "make himself look important" or "right" or something? I, too, conclude that he will subject other agencies that he decides threaten his ego to the same treatment. Based on his words and actions I think it is highly likely that we see the same Trump-treatment of other organizations and individuals.
5
Hopefully bright and patriotic CIA personnel will understand that "this too shall pass" and put the whole thing in perspective.
2
Trump’s purge of experienced intelligence agents, his dismissal of “facts” mimics what George W Bush did when he came to office, dismissing Richard Clarke’s warnings about Osama bin Ladin, ignoring dozens of warnings through the year by the FAA (commercial aircraft could be used as missiles), and finally the August PDB “(“Bin Ladin Poised to Strike in the US”). Let’s remember, also, that the CIA intercepted a message on Sept. 10 saying that the attack was coming, but Bush had fired Arabic translators for being gay.
Further, it stands to reason that Obama’s intelligence officers have the expertise to share with allies – France and Germany – to disrupt Russia’s invasion into their own elections, which Trump will now disrupt.
It also means that allies will be less likely to share critical information about terrorists’ movements.
In so many ways, not the least of which is Trump’s ignorance and dismissal of actual facts that don’t feed his narcissism and political goals, his erratic and irrational tweets and goading of equally erratic and irrational leaders (like North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un), make him wholly unfit for office.
I have never been so completely terrified of a new administration.
Further, it stands to reason that Obama’s intelligence officers have the expertise to share with allies – France and Germany – to disrupt Russia’s invasion into their own elections, which Trump will now disrupt.
It also means that allies will be less likely to share critical information about terrorists’ movements.
In so many ways, not the least of which is Trump’s ignorance and dismissal of actual facts that don’t feed his narcissism and political goals, his erratic and irrational tweets and goading of equally erratic and irrational leaders (like North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un), make him wholly unfit for office.
I have never been so completely terrified of a new administration.
8
The world is looking pretty flimsy these days.
2
Don't tell me that the CIA hasn't got access to IRS filings. If they release/leak the taxes just before the inauguration, they could brutally weaken the executive.
8
It was suggested before the election that Trump suffers from
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD):
1.Grandiosity with expectations of superior treatment from others
2.Fixated on fantasies of power, success, intelligence, attractiveness, etc.
3.Self-perception of being unique, superior and associated with high-status people and institutions
4.Needing constant admiration from others
5.Sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others
6.Exploitative of others to achieve personal gain
7.Unwilling to empathize with others' feelings, wishes, or needs
8.Intensely envious of others and the belief that others are equally envious of them
9.Pompous and arrogant demeanor
(See prior NYT article http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/16/health/analyzing-donald-trump-psycholo...
If this continues what are the groups for impeachment as a traitor to US security ?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD):
1.Grandiosity with expectations of superior treatment from others
2.Fixated on fantasies of power, success, intelligence, attractiveness, etc.
3.Self-perception of being unique, superior and associated with high-status people and institutions
4.Needing constant admiration from others
5.Sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others
6.Exploitative of others to achieve personal gain
7.Unwilling to empathize with others' feelings, wishes, or needs
8.Intensely envious of others and the belief that others are equally envious of them
9.Pompous and arrogant demeanor
(See prior NYT article http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/16/health/analyzing-donald-trump-psycholo...
If this continues what are the groups for impeachment as a traitor to US security ?
11
The only thing that Mr. Trump cares about is Mr. Trump. Sometimes, when he's in the right mood, he might care about Ivanka or someone else in his family, but that's pretty much it. He doesn't give a thought to anything or anyone other than that. So why would he care about the CIA or how it protects our nation? For that matter, why would he care about the nation, itself, other than as a reflection of himself? Simple. He doesn't.
9
None of the intelligence agencies have actually examined the so-called hacked servers that the DNC alleges were hacked by Russians. In fact, the servers were examined by a third party security company. As an employee who performs information security related audits, I can tell you that this is not the way actual forensic investigations of allegedly compromised systems are performed. This is akin to a private security guard investigating a murder and releasing his report to the police for them to form a conclusion. Any of you would be Cyber-analysts, please dispute me. I've only got 16 years in the field and numerous certs that allow me the expertise to form this conclusion. Podesta allowed himself to be fooled into clicking on a phishing email and surrendering his password. His emails account was compromised and the embarrassing evidence came out. A thirteen year old Script Kiddie could have carried out the operation. Trump is absolutely right to reject their conclusions and this hullabaloo will end when all the department heads are replaced as of Jan 20th.
11
We know that Paul Manafort was forced to resign from Trump's campaign after his foreign entanglements became public. The important question is what did Trump know and when did he know it? Did anyone in Trump's campaign coordinate with the Kremlin? Would this constitute "high crimes and misdemeanors"?
8
Trump must resign immediately after he is sworn in.
3
What's really dangerous is hypocrisy, especially press hypocrisy.
5
In fairness to the CIA in 2003 over the WMD issue, I believe there was massive pressure from Dick Cheney and George Bush to 'find' those WMDs. That administration was dead set determined to go to war in Iraq. Refer to Joe Wilson's account of the situation for some enlightenment.
12
Trump is too smart to need intelligence.
3
I think that after the election we are seeing the first positive articles about the C.I.A. in the New York Times since the 60's. That proof that If you wait long enough you will see everything.
1
Lead by the Times and their ilk, the illegitimacy crusade against President Trump is the real danger.
7
Trump and the Russians are using the same talking points regarding hacking 2016 election.
Birds of a feather.
Birds of a feather.
5
Mr. Morell has crafted a compelling, multi-faceted and nuanced defense of the CIA. And it will make no more of an impression on Mr. Trump as he tramples reason than the pesky soldiers did on Godzilla as he smashed his way across the metropolis.
6
The eyes of the man in the attached photo are those of a madman. Surely there are mental health professionals out there who are willing to state the obvious.
5
The "intelligence community" report lacks a single scintilla of evidence the Russian government directed unidentifed groups to penetrate the Democrat computers, remove emails and other information, provide it to a third party cut-out group, who then provided it to Wikileaks.
The "intelligence community" argues they cannot disclose this evidence because doing so would compromise their means and methods of their information gathering. The problem with this argument is the "intelligence community" did not gather most of the techinical evidence they claim to possess because the Democrats refused to allow the "intelligence community" to inspect their computers!
http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/05/politics/fbi-russia-hacking-dnc-crowdstrik...
Who then provided the "intelligence community" with this alleged evidence? Apparently, the undisclosed techinical information derived from the computers came from the Democrats own IT contractor - CrowdStrike.
https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/bears-midst-intrusion-democratic-nation...
If this is true, how would disclosing the CrowdStrike evidence compromise the means and methods used by the "intelligence community?"
This report reminds me of the consensus lie the "intelligence community" issued claiming Benghazi was a demonstration of a video Team Obama used to cover up a successful al Qaeda attack before the 2012 election.
The "intelligence community" argues they cannot disclose this evidence because doing so would compromise their means and methods of their information gathering. The problem with this argument is the "intelligence community" did not gather most of the techinical evidence they claim to possess because the Democrats refused to allow the "intelligence community" to inspect their computers!
http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/05/politics/fbi-russia-hacking-dnc-crowdstrik...
Who then provided the "intelligence community" with this alleged evidence? Apparently, the undisclosed techinical information derived from the computers came from the Democrats own IT contractor - CrowdStrike.
https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/bears-midst-intrusion-democratic-nation...
If this is true, how would disclosing the CrowdStrike evidence compromise the means and methods used by the "intelligence community?"
This report reminds me of the consensus lie the "intelligence community" issued claiming Benghazi was a demonstration of a video Team Obama used to cover up a successful al Qaeda attack before the 2012 election.
2
Donald Trump has been enabled by sycophants his entire life. Asking him to empathize with those who actually sacrifice for the common good is liking asking water to flow uphill. He will only respond to leverage. Too bad J. Edgar Hoover is gone and the only one using leverage on him appears to be Vladimir Putin.
1
"It is not a coincidence that Mr. Trump, who has never let facts get in the way of his opinion, would fight with the organization whose very reason for existence is to put facts on the table."
The first part of the sentence is fine. It's the 2nd part that is phony. Of course we need an intelligent intelligence agency. That's not what we've had from the CIA since the Dulles brothers ran foreign policy. Facts like WMDs in Iraq? Or like why we started the Vietnam war based on their assessment. Or that we'd be in & out of Iraq in 5 days and own all of their oilfields. Or Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, the Ukraine?
I'm sorry. The Cia is defective and it has been a political organization for decades frm the Gulf of Tonkin to the dope in Central America and the Bay Of Pigs!
That their candidate lost has left them in shock. I'm as much in doubt about Trump on domestic issues, but if he can clean out the J Edgar Hoover & Joe McCarthys from our intelligence community he'd be worth suffering (and controlling as much as possible) for 4 years.
This entire, dangerous anti-Russian business is the sclerotic CIA mindset. Get hysteria out of here!
The first part of the sentence is fine. It's the 2nd part that is phony. Of course we need an intelligent intelligence agency. That's not what we've had from the CIA since the Dulles brothers ran foreign policy. Facts like WMDs in Iraq? Or like why we started the Vietnam war based on their assessment. Or that we'd be in & out of Iraq in 5 days and own all of their oilfields. Or Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, the Ukraine?
I'm sorry. The Cia is defective and it has been a political organization for decades frm the Gulf of Tonkin to the dope in Central America and the Bay Of Pigs!
That their candidate lost has left them in shock. I'm as much in doubt about Trump on domestic issues, but if he can clean out the J Edgar Hoover & Joe McCarthys from our intelligence community he'd be worth suffering (and controlling as much as possible) for 4 years.
This entire, dangerous anti-Russian business is the sclerotic CIA mindset. Get hysteria out of here!
3
A leader who ridicules and makes fun of his followers will not succeed. Either the followers will refuse to cooperate with him or will scheme and topple him. Either way, his leadership will fail. And when it does, it will be the greatest fall of all.
Mr. Trump is an upstart. Sadly, he has no education or insight on leadership. He should read a few good books on the subject and educate himself well. That will be for his good and the good of the country.
Mr. Trump is an upstart. Sadly, he has no education or insight on leadership. He should read a few good books on the subject and educate himself well. That will be for his good and the good of the country.
Trump has made it very clear that even when it comes to matters of National Security, his only concern is the preservation, protection and defense of his ego. When he recites the Oath of Office on January 20th, he will simultaneously ascend to the Presidency and make a mockery of it.
10
Trump will violate his oath of office on the day he's sworn in. His financial interests and colossal ego are far more important to him than national security. Why aren't most Republicans aghast at this and ready to hold him accountable?
The answer is all too clear. Their allegiance is mostly to the tax cutting and deregulatory agenda of their rich donors rather than to the security of their own country.
It would just be tremendously sad if it didn't also border on treason.
The answer is all too clear. Their allegiance is mostly to the tax cutting and deregulatory agenda of their rich donors rather than to the security of their own country.
It would just be tremendously sad if it didn't also border on treason.
5
This incurious; looking at the world through a peep-hole soon-to-be President; is a DANGEROUS man. A danger not only to America but the rest of the world. His whole point of contention with his (America's) intelligence community is his obsessed view of having won (the election) "Fair and Square".
That Russia- a political adversary has engaged in cyber-Sabotage and continues to do so- is completely lost on this man. Breeches on virtually every front of America's data systems; military, banking & finance; utilities- doesn't appear to be a part of our new president's thinking; the ability to broaden his thinking and comprehension is- sadly not there and will never be there
Mr Trump has a severe case of linear thinking with a very short line between thoughts. Unfortunately those apparatus that would assist him in broadening his scope- he rejects, preferring to rely on equally obtuse individuals- like himself. We've already seen the direction this nation is headed- Pre-Inauguration. I cannot imagine the next few weeks-let alone the next four years: God bless America- we need it now more than ever.
That Russia- a political adversary has engaged in cyber-Sabotage and continues to do so- is completely lost on this man. Breeches on virtually every front of America's data systems; military, banking & finance; utilities- doesn't appear to be a part of our new president's thinking; the ability to broaden his thinking and comprehension is- sadly not there and will never be there
Mr Trump has a severe case of linear thinking with a very short line between thoughts. Unfortunately those apparatus that would assist him in broadening his scope- he rejects, preferring to rely on equally obtuse individuals- like himself. We've already seen the direction this nation is headed- Pre-Inauguration. I cannot imagine the next few weeks-let alone the next four years: God bless America- we need it now more than ever.
2
It is impossible to state -- with any degree of certainty-- that what the Russians did not influence the results of the 2016 Presidential election. Of the 126,4 millions votes cast for Clinton and Trump, Clinton won the majority by almost 3 million votes. However, Clinton lost the vote in the Electoral College by a margin of only 107,00 votes, spread among the 3 States of Michigan (12,000 votes), Wisconsin (27,000 votes), and Pennsylvania (68,00 votes). That represent about 0.08% of the total votes casts for both Clinton and Trump. Surely, more than 0.08% of the voters were undecided up to the day of the election to have been influenced to vote for Trump as a result of the misinformation being disseminated by the Russians and others. Thus, one can not discount very real possibility that this influenced the outcome of the election.
6
If the CIA would issue a statement proclaiming how smart Trump is, I'm sure the situation could be turned around in a single news cycle.
2
The CIA has a long and distinguished history when it comes to deposing despots around the world and I'm quite certain that, given the necessity and the urgency, they will act accordingly. No good deed goes unpunished, especially when it comes to our interests, and, given the bad behavior of our next commander in chief, especially with regards to our intelligence apparatus, the outcome could be catastrophic for everyone concerned.
We should probably conclude that PEOTUS behavior pivots on his self-image, massively inflated, but extremely fragile and vulnerable. From this, it makes sense that he's chosen troubled individuals for his inner circle while filling out government positions with those he secretly admires for their brazen greed and self-serving mien. The cabinet picks will be astoundingly self-serving while in office because that is what has served them in life. His inner circle will continue with their sycophantic adoration, some knowing that their proximity to this type of power is a fluke, an undeserved gift horse they must ride as if their life depended on it. There's no need for hand wringing because of these choices; what's needed is a full scale assault on trump and all his choices...facts, laid bare, the constant reiteration of democratic values and the contrast trump's cabal makes with same.
There can hardly be a person in the real news business that doesn't see how dangerous 2017 will be for our democracy and know their duty to get answers, to keep hammering away in an effort to bring this charlatan down before he brings the United States down. The race is on.
There can hardly be a person in the real news business that doesn't see how dangerous 2017 will be for our democracy and know their duty to get answers, to keep hammering away in an effort to bring this charlatan down before he brings the United States down. The race is on.
5
I'm optimistic that in a few short months, after the trumsupporters realize his bag of tricks has got nothing but bluster and feints, most if not all of his silly policy statements will be ignored. As long as the Senate is in charge of foreign policy, little of what this man says will count outside our borders.
More than 130,000 000 voted in the November US elections.
Less than a 100,000 vote swing in the purple states would have given the election to Clinton.
That is less than 0.08% of the total votes.
The CIA, FBI and the NSA have all concluded that Putin had meddled in the elections.
This exlpsins Trump's antagonism.
Less than a 100,000 vote swing in the purple states would have given the election to Clinton.
That is less than 0.08% of the total votes.
The CIA, FBI and the NSA have all concluded that Putin had meddled in the elections.
This exlpsins Trump's antagonism.
10
I do not support Trump, and I did not support the Bush-Cheney White House either. That's where this problem was created. Cheney committed the original sin when he pressured the CIA to come up with intelligence supporting his conclusion that Iraq had WMDs and ties to Al Qaeda. But for that disinformation used by Cheney to support the Iraq invasion, President elect Trump would not be able to question the validity of the CIA intelligence on Russian interference in the elections.
The CIA serves the President. But that doesn't mean the President should misuse the CIA in a partisan and political manner to create facts. Or that the CIA should allow the President to do so. Cries that the CIA has changed since 2003 are weak at best. The CIA and the White House both failed the American people on Iraq, and we continue to suffer the consequences. Now Trump is compounding the injury.
Trump needs to realize that this is not about him. We cannot tolerate a foreign country interfering with the electoral process. So now he has created two problems. He appears unwilling to address the issue of Russia interfering in the elections and he has further tarnished the image of the one agency dedicated to informing him about the world. The notion that this guy will get us out of the quagmire his predecessors put us in is delusional.
The CIA serves the President. But that doesn't mean the President should misuse the CIA in a partisan and political manner to create facts. Or that the CIA should allow the President to do so. Cries that the CIA has changed since 2003 are weak at best. The CIA and the White House both failed the American people on Iraq, and we continue to suffer the consequences. Now Trump is compounding the injury.
Trump needs to realize that this is not about him. We cannot tolerate a foreign country interfering with the electoral process. So now he has created two problems. He appears unwilling to address the issue of Russia interfering in the elections and he has further tarnished the image of the one agency dedicated to informing him about the world. The notion that this guy will get us out of the quagmire his predecessors put us in is delusional.
5
If this writer would review the Clinton-era intelligence statements (including statements by Bill Clinton, Al Gore and others) about Iraqi WMD, he would realize that the notion that the Bush-Cheney White House forced the Intelligence Community to say there were Iraqi WMD is nonsense. The IC already believed that before 2001.
The fundamental problem was that the IC did not have enough imagination to conceive of the idea that Saddam -- far from trying to hide stuff he had -- was trying to make the rest of the world believe he had stuff that he didn't. And if someone in the IC had imagined such a thing, it wouldn't have been investigated, on the grounds that intelligence analysis shouldn't deal in "hypotheses," but should just "connect the dots."
The fundamental problem was that the IC did not have enough imagination to conceive of the idea that Saddam -- far from trying to hide stuff he had -- was trying to make the rest of the world believe he had stuff that he didn't. And if someone in the IC had imagined such a thing, it wouldn't have been investigated, on the grounds that intelligence analysis shouldn't deal in "hypotheses," but should just "connect the dots."
2
Sometimes life is complex and sometimes it isn't. We should all be afraid because simply put, the next President is probably a failed businessman who is owned by Russian investors. Trump is a traitor and those who support him are aiding a traitor. Begin to ask yourself questions - why Trump never released his taxes - we all know he lost billions in the Casino industry, but we don't know how he funds his remaining companies and as Wall Street is loath to fund people who have multiple corporate bankruptcies, isn't it likely that desperation may have ruled the day for Trump. That he was desperate enough to get foreign backing from anyone who would lend him money? Remember still, of the unlikely outcome of him winning, that he never really thought that would happen and this was probably an exercise to increase his brand value and profit potential. Now that he has won, he doesn't want anyone to know who owns him. Do you think his supporters would care if he lost almost all of his fortune? I don't think so. But they might care if they thought he was a puppet of Russia. Maybe that would be too much for even them to stomach. Apparently, it wasn't too much of a problem for McConnell because he and other Republicans kept the degree of this Russian attack on our democracy under wraps because they thought it would protect there control of the Senate and it wasn't about anything else but having that as a backstop against Hillary the presumed winner. CIA, NSA, DNI please protect us all.
8
Russia supported Trump. Russia did whatever they could to help him win (and he apparently had business ties with them...if we could see his taxes), and they are happy he won. Seems like a threat to our nation to me. But I am not a Republican.
4
The surge in faux patriotism, the utter grovelling respect for the institutions of government arising so suddenly from the leftist media is a sight to behold. The ones that cry out against the alleged incipient fascism of Trump are in fact the ones that have surrendered all journalistic integrity as the cling to the teats of power and dutifully perform acts of obeisance where they should rather be investigating incompetence, malfeasance and corruption in the very beast they now serve.
6
A vigorous questioning of the intelligence industry would be a good thing. These people think they're immune to criticism and above the law. They have failed to protect us when all the necessary information was in their hands, trample on our Constitutional rights, and promote torture and mayhem around the world. Unfortunately Trump is not the guy to lead the charge.
4
Trump should be impeached the day he is sworn in because he will have violated his oath of office.
4
This is much bigger than just America and The Con Don, ladies and gentlemen. The Top 1% Global Financial Elite Robber Baron/ Radical Religion Party feels their grasp slipping and are quite simply trying to take over the world.
The uprisings across the middle east the last few years are not a coincidence - they were engineered. Nothing gives the wealthiest power like a good, old civil war. While average people are busy fighting with each other they are robbing us blind.
Putin and the Robber Baron Party are going after Angela Merkel in Germany right now and backing Marie LePen in France, just as they backed Brexit. Unfortunately information-starved Americans, with propaganda fed to them by fox so-called news, hate radio and hate social media - in cooperation with the broader media establishment who constantly attacked the most qualified candidate - Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton - have thrust us and OUR government/weapons/taxpayer treasure/401K savings/home values/environment/human rights into the center.
Russia doesn't have the resources to try to take over the world. So, like Hitler, Putin is systematically helping the Top 1% Global Financial Elite get control of wealthier nations so he can use their resources for his dreadful campaign.
WE must get serious right now about squelching his plans BEFORE they can get any broader. Media - report the real news, every single minute of every single day, of what,how, where and why average people are acting to stop them.
The uprisings across the middle east the last few years are not a coincidence - they were engineered. Nothing gives the wealthiest power like a good, old civil war. While average people are busy fighting with each other they are robbing us blind.
Putin and the Robber Baron Party are going after Angela Merkel in Germany right now and backing Marie LePen in France, just as they backed Brexit. Unfortunately information-starved Americans, with propaganda fed to them by fox so-called news, hate radio and hate social media - in cooperation with the broader media establishment who constantly attacked the most qualified candidate - Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton - have thrust us and OUR government/weapons/taxpayer treasure/401K savings/home values/environment/human rights into the center.
Russia doesn't have the resources to try to take over the world. So, like Hitler, Putin is systematically helping the Top 1% Global Financial Elite get control of wealthier nations so he can use their resources for his dreadful campaign.
WE must get serious right now about squelching his plans BEFORE they can get any broader. Media - report the real news, every single minute of every single day, of what,how, where and why average people are acting to stop them.
2
Okay - so reading about the Kushner family ties with China and Russia -- and Mr trumps ties, direct and indirect, and debts owedm I would venture a guess that his demeaning of intelligence is highly self protective, and does not only relate to the abominable treatment of Hillary Clinton. This is also a preemptive strike - highly preemptive since there is little to suggest that he has bothered to earn much of what has been placed on his table - to dismiss any information that may be discovered regarding his - and his family's - conflicts of interest.
I never thought I would be supporting the CIA instead of criticizing it! But intelligence is necessary; yet the gatherers require oversight so as not to get out of control. But here the worry is that Trump intends not to ask intelligent questions about the information gathered, but simply to undercut this part of our defense entirely. Who's side is HE on?
I never thought I would be supporting the CIA instead of criticizing it! But intelligence is necessary; yet the gatherers require oversight so as not to get out of control. But here the worry is that Trump intends not to ask intelligent questions about the information gathered, but simply to undercut this part of our defense entirely. Who's side is HE on?
10
He is on Trump's side and only Trump's side.
2
He's on HIS side, of course. Something that a large minority of voting Americans willfuly decided to ignore. His fragile ego and vindictive instincts have been in full display for it seems, forever, especially in TV time. He does only what benefits him. And if that means burning down the whole house just because the plumbing is bad, he will do it. Where are you, Dr. Phil!?
3
Trump is dangerous? What about the entire U.S. media being off its rocker? Every news outlet in this country, including this one, ran the juiciest emails from the DNC and all other Anti-Hillary hacks — but not ONE hack of the RNC or Trumps' crazy campaign —and never once challenged the corruption of the election that this fundamentally was.
And no one is still citing the simple fact that when one party is hacked and the other one is not, the entire election was hacked. I think a two year-old could figure out that much.
And no one is still citing the simple fact that when one party is hacked and the other one is not, the entire election was hacked. I think a two year-old could figure out that much.
13
Not to mention the obvious mental illness of the FBI Director stemming from his failure to convict Hillary of anything in the multi-year hundred million dollar Whitewater investigation.
Does Trump have a non-dangerous crusade?
Ive yet to hear anything coming from the Tweet-prince, and/or his GOP sycophants, that isnt about destruction and mayhem. So IF he has a non-dangerous crusade, please forward it...
For 8 years, the GOP's rally cry has been; "destroy, destroy, destroy!" - and its not changing. They are about to lay waste to the Republic. And as Sen Ryan, expressed the other day ("I've dreamed of this moment!") it will be done with an abundance of glee. The GOP is literally aroused by the mere thoughts of the carnage they can now wreak on the Republic and more importantly its citizenry. Thanks to less than half of the population that was seduced by the orange-skinned Swamp-thing. (Remember that comic book character? The Swamp-thing...'cept he was compassionate and green. DT is the evil doppelganger...)
Ive yet to hear anything coming from the Tweet-prince, and/or his GOP sycophants, that isnt about destruction and mayhem. So IF he has a non-dangerous crusade, please forward it...
For 8 years, the GOP's rally cry has been; "destroy, destroy, destroy!" - and its not changing. They are about to lay waste to the Republic. And as Sen Ryan, expressed the other day ("I've dreamed of this moment!") it will be done with an abundance of glee. The GOP is literally aroused by the mere thoughts of the carnage they can now wreak on the Republic and more importantly its citizenry. Thanks to less than half of the population that was seduced by the orange-skinned Swamp-thing. (Remember that comic book character? The Swamp-thing...'cept he was compassionate and green. DT is the evil doppelganger...)
13
Trump's anti-CIA stance only came about because of the politicized nature of the investigation into the leaking of dem e-mails. Obama either should have openly confronted the Russians as soon as he found out, or kept his mouth shut. He should have ordered the investigation but kept it private, and handed the results to Trump after the inauguration. But by making the investigation public he openly aided and abetted the Russians in their efforts to discredit the election and our democracy.
Obama only made the investigation public to provide an excuse for HRC's loss and the voters' rejection of his legacy -- and to undermine Trump. Pure politics. Trump was absolutely correct to question the CIA's credibility on this because the intent of the investigation was purely political.
The Russians may have been behind the phishing of the dem's e-mails, but they didn't hack the vote and no evidence the leaked e-mails influenced voters. There was no immediate need to make this public -- no personal information had been stolen and the leaking didn't cause any threat to national security.
Of course we need to tighten cyber security because we are vulnerable to Russians, Chinese, Iranians and other bad guys -- as well as allies. But the leaking of e-mails was small beer compared to what could happen. But the leaked dem e-mails weren't faked and the bad news about HRC was already out. The MSM did much more to try and undermine Trump than the leaked e-mails ever did.
Obama only made the investigation public to provide an excuse for HRC's loss and the voters' rejection of his legacy -- and to undermine Trump. Pure politics. Trump was absolutely correct to question the CIA's credibility on this because the intent of the investigation was purely political.
The Russians may have been behind the phishing of the dem's e-mails, but they didn't hack the vote and no evidence the leaked e-mails influenced voters. There was no immediate need to make this public -- no personal information had been stolen and the leaking didn't cause any threat to national security.
Of course we need to tighten cyber security because we are vulnerable to Russians, Chinese, Iranians and other bad guys -- as well as allies. But the leaking of e-mails was small beer compared to what could happen. But the leaked dem e-mails weren't faked and the bad news about HRC was already out. The MSM did much more to try and undermine Trump than the leaked e-mails ever did.
6
The chickens sure have come home to roost on the skeletons of slavery still haunting the US. The system that produced Trump is psychopathology on steroids, not democracy.
2
This comment sounds like its right out of the Russian playbook.
3
A quote attributed to President Abraham Lincoln, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt,” reminds me of Mr. Trump every time he tweets or makes off the cuff remarks to the media.
This is going to be a difficult presidency because Trump thinks he is the smartest guy in the room. He actually believes that the Presidential Daily Brief (PDB) is a chore, when he recently lamented to Chris Wallace of Fox News, “I'm, like, a smart person. I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years.”
President George W. Bush was criticized for having turned a deaf ear to the August 6, 2001 PDB prepared by the CIA with an ominous headline, “Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US.” Barely five weeks later, our nation witnessed the 9/11 attacks. One hopes that Trump will set his ego aside and accept that there are far more intelligent people than him, who might just help him do his job in keeping us safe.
This is going to be a difficult presidency because Trump thinks he is the smartest guy in the room. He actually believes that the Presidential Daily Brief (PDB) is a chore, when he recently lamented to Chris Wallace of Fox News, “I'm, like, a smart person. I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years.”
President George W. Bush was criticized for having turned a deaf ear to the August 6, 2001 PDB prepared by the CIA with an ominous headline, “Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US.” Barely five weeks later, our nation witnessed the 9/11 attacks. One hopes that Trump will set his ego aside and accept that there are far more intelligent people than him, who might just help him do his job in keeping us safe.
7
Pray tell, Mr. Morell, exactly, or even approximately, how much "hacking" are US intelligence services doing of Russia? China? Other foreign governments - like of German Chancellor Merkel's cell phone? Most importantly – of the American people?!
So, please, Mr. Morell, spare us your sanctimonious alarm when we all know our intelligence service hands are as dirty, if not more so, as those of Russia, China and others in their anti-democratic machinations.
Mr. Trump may be crazy. Or he may be crazy like a fox. Let's see what happens.
Trump, may actually be channeling "normal" Americans. That is, those who are not living in the cozy cocoons of:
>DC's Beltway,
>NYC's Wall Street,
>LA's movie and TV industry,
>Silicon Valley's tech hive, and
>the many others "global elite" ensconced in universities, think tanks, corporations and other special interest
Trump's barrage of "nonsense" will likely be the apogee or the nadir of this nation.
If the former, he may actually bring this country back from operating as the overweening, gargantuan beast it's become – working for the few at the expense of the many.
Or, it may just be that Trump will continue feeding the beast for his own personal enrichment and aggrandizement, to the further detriment of us all - just like Barrack, W and Billary have done over the past 16 years.
It is time to restore America. Or it is time to see it fall and let a new fractured republic rise up like a phoenix from the ashes of its destruction.
So, please, Mr. Morell, spare us your sanctimonious alarm when we all know our intelligence service hands are as dirty, if not more so, as those of Russia, China and others in their anti-democratic machinations.
Mr. Trump may be crazy. Or he may be crazy like a fox. Let's see what happens.
Trump, may actually be channeling "normal" Americans. That is, those who are not living in the cozy cocoons of:
>DC's Beltway,
>NYC's Wall Street,
>LA's movie and TV industry,
>Silicon Valley's tech hive, and
>the many others "global elite" ensconced in universities, think tanks, corporations and other special interest
Trump's barrage of "nonsense" will likely be the apogee or the nadir of this nation.
If the former, he may actually bring this country back from operating as the overweening, gargantuan beast it's become – working for the few at the expense of the many.
Or, it may just be that Trump will continue feeding the beast for his own personal enrichment and aggrandizement, to the further detriment of us all - just like Barrack, W and Billary have done over the past 16 years.
It is time to restore America. Or it is time to see it fall and let a new fractured republic rise up like a phoenix from the ashes of its destruction.
4
isnt weakening the cia and other intelligence agencies a liberal goal?
2
No. On to the next fantasy.
4
Divide and conquer is a as old as the hills.
Kudos to Putin on brilliant tactics and execution.
We are more divided and thus weakened than at any other time since the civil war.
Only a disclosure of Trumps financial entanglement with Russia, and/or a revote can straighten this mess out.
Neither appear to be in the cards...YET!
Kudos to Putin on brilliant tactics and execution.
We are more divided and thus weakened than at any other time since the civil war.
Only a disclosure of Trumps financial entanglement with Russia, and/or a revote can straighten this mess out.
Neither appear to be in the cards...YET!
10
It is not "dangerous" if you are Mr. Trump and know all the lies that brought you into high office. Trump and his friends in the world of business have dealings that he doesn't want known. What better way to keep the old lies and new plans secret than to denigrate the agencies that might expose his misdeeds?
Trump is no fool, and he is a bully. He thinks he can pull this off and he might with the help of our Congress and the Courts. Unless American voters wake up, and quickly, the game will be over. We must stop Trump. He plays to win.
Trump is no fool, and he is a bully. He thinks he can pull this off and he might with the help of our Congress and the Courts. Unless American voters wake up, and quickly, the game will be over. We must stop Trump. He plays to win.
13
The C.I.A. becoming too political will be cleaned up like other government bloat in this country; check back this time next year to see the progress. In the meantime, stop the news/media spin.
4
I'm sure anyone that supports Russia would like the CIA and the media silenced.
6
Whoever owns Twitter would be doing a public service to disable his account.
10
I suspect that the intelligence community knows more than one way to thwart his ill advised attempts to cozy up to Putin,et al.
I hope they do.
I hope they do.
6
Trump must relish the irony, if he can even see it, that by disdaining the CIA and disparaging their unwelcome findings of a too-close relationship between Putin and himself, he is helping that agency. Ironic of course because the CIA was used to dupe the American public into supporting a war in Iraq some years ago. Ironic also because that very agency poses the greatest threat to American civil liberties and privacy than any other...
2
So the Hillary liberals are horrified that the Donald isn't taking CIA seriously enough....
Even forgetting its intelligence failures -- is there any historical movement CIA actually anticipated? -- its hostility to democracy abroad, and its political appointees, isn't this the agency that denies it tortured anyone and just to be sure, violated a court order to destroy the tapes of it not torturing anyone?
Even forgetting its intelligence failures -- is there any historical movement CIA actually anticipated? -- its hostility to democracy abroad, and its political appointees, isn't this the agency that denies it tortured anyone and just to be sure, violated a court order to destroy the tapes of it not torturing anyone?
7
Are you a foreign agent?
4
Tramp's bullying has increased his wealth. Let us hope it does little damage to the nation.
3
I am not normally a believer in conspiracy theories, but the Trumpfuhrer's attacks on the intelligence community, particularly the CIA, give me great pause for thought. Resignations and discrediting may be exactly what he and his "controllers" want...
8
Morell is and always has been a Democrat partisan hack. He is the poster child for why we should never just swallow what we're told by so-called government "experts". Although it has been a few years since he was last caught lying to congress...
5
His appointment of the head of the CIA should make we the people of the United States extremely cautious.
10
Mr. Morell, your article begs the question, "Is the CIA mature and strong enough to see Trump bombast (and utter stupidity) for the sham it really is?" Now is not the time for people to walk away. Congress is starting to step up (a little) and confront Trump. This needs to continue but with far more fervor.
1
My question is what role does Paul Manafort have in all this? Just seems odd Mr Trump's old campaign manager had such close ties with the pro-Russian Urkranian govt that sought protection in Russia after it lost an election. Maybe reporters should look into Mr Manafort.
4
Hard to see how this man will be able to take the oath of office with a straight face.
4
He'll Tweet it, he won't even have to speak. As long as he doesn't open his mouth his expression won't have to change. Melania can easily teach him how since she's got the look down cold.
If I ever have the misfortune of having to call Mr. T-rump the title of his office, it will be written "President".
With the torture investigation, the CIA should be used to disparagement by the government and the public. For CIA officers to cry about disparagement in the name of honor is unconvincing to say the least. If you all kept your jobs despite the revelation that the CIA mistreated countless suspects, you should be able to weather an attack on your partisanship. Moreover, everyone knows that Trump says one thing on Monday and another on Tuesday. If intelligence officers haven't figured that out, they need retraining. Trump is an unpredictable wild card. He's the kind of person that the CIA deals with on a daily basis and he presents just the sort of challenge CIA agents are hired to deal with. Quitting because of a bad president is not helpful at all. In fact, it is rank cowardice.
1
Oh, don't worry, Mr. Morell. Attrition is exactly what Trump and his Republican cronies want. They want to get rid of the CIA, and privatize what the agency does. Trump is probably already investing in some security firms that will snap up ex-CIA agents. Maybe he'll also subcontract with some Russian firms to pick up whatever slack can't be covered by Trump's security companies, and Putin can get in on robbing the US treasury, along with his buddy, DJT. Who needs a government, when you've got oligarchs with companies just champing at the bit to get in on the privatization racket?
3
Does president-elect Trump’s attitude toward the C.I.A. and his relationship with Vladimir Putin suggest that the K.G.B. is “nobler” in its policies and behavior than our premier intelligence organization? If so, what about similar organizations and operations flowing from China, Iran and North Korea? Can we expect exchange programs between intelligence agencies similar to those between colleges?
Reckless disparagement or dismissal of our most established intelligence machinery by our soon-to-be commander in chief is frightening to contemplate, even briefly.
Reckless disparagement or dismissal of our most established intelligence machinery by our soon-to-be commander in chief is frightening to contemplate, even briefly.
After Snowden's revelations, we came to fear the NSA like they were reading all of our private mail secretly, now we're writing love letters to them. It's amazing how feelings can change depending on which way they're running and who they're running after.
I wonder what's going to happen when he finds out someone thru the palm tree overboard
At the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia there is a plaque commemorating 117 anonymous agents who died in the service of their country. There is a star for each who has fallen and they are anonymous. Their heroism and that of the thousands of other dedicated staffers in the CIA, NSA, DIA and other like agencies is being smeared by Mr. Trump who lacks the character and intelligence to listen and consider what he is being told by experts before spewing out his fact devoid Tweets.
4
How nice our president-elect found the meetings with senior intelligence officials "constructive." Too bad he didn't find them INstructive.
3
For the life of me I can't recall any instance of the CIA contributing to national security.
2
But plenty to national insecurity.
1
I call on Chinese Hackers to release Donald Trump's tax returns.
8
Wouldn't do it, he's their ultimate man.
Look for trump to be thrown out of office after the first six months. Loose canons fall overboard.
5
Okay. I will buy into the fact that this is an agency critical to our national security, but to make this opinion piece sound like the President-elect has not right to challenge a bureaucratic, plodding (and more often than not, inept) organization is an unfair slant, even for Trump. (Like, can we all say George Tenet and Leon Panetta, kids?) ...and kudos on dealing with Russian hacking.
1
It is nice to see all the establishment radical leftists organs like the NY Times running to the defense of the CIA. For years these organizations have attacked them and their methods and would have jumped at the chance to discredit them. Now we have a president who is properly skeptical over an organization run by democrats by the last 8 years and the NY times has their panties in a bunch. Get over it people. There is a new sheriff in town.
3
Unfortunately the new "sheriff" is a pathological liar.
6
Trump is a traitor, even if his words are caused by his mental illness.
15
Should the CIA not be criticized? The FBI also above criticism? I'm quite sure Obama is above criticism on these pages. Yet it was on ALL their watch that this happened, and they failed. It was not Trump's fault the DNC was allowed to be hacked, he did not control the federal agencies who owns the responsibility to protect the US and it's election integrity. That was on the Obama administration and again they failed.
I'll put money that under Trump this will not happen.
I'll put money that under Trump this will not happen.
1
Unless Mr. Trump colluded with the Russians. His unusual support of Mr. Putin suggests that he may have. TBD.
5
Talk about Chutzpah! Michael J Morell who fed the bogus intel on Saddam's WMD to Colin Powell thinks that Trump is dangerous for attacking US Intel services. The problem with all of his blather is that the intelligence services are more concerned with controlling how Americans think and vote, than they are with developing actual intelligence from Foreign Sources.
They had as a matter of proven fact lied to us, and spied upon us before the CIA went over the top in order to back Hillary Clinton as the standard bearer for the American Deep State, and the bipartisan American War Party in the most recent Presidential election.
Trump must be stopped in the view of the Corporatist Security State because: he is the greatest threat for peace to break out among potential combatants, before the War Party has had a chance at a decent war in order to grab for the resources of the Greater Middle East,* which the War Party has faced in the last 70 years.
note* The Greater Middle East includes Ukraine, the Petroleum distribution hub states of Iran and Turkey, and the Stans of the Central Asian Plain.
They had as a matter of proven fact lied to us, and spied upon us before the CIA went over the top in order to back Hillary Clinton as the standard bearer for the American Deep State, and the bipartisan American War Party in the most recent Presidential election.
Trump must be stopped in the view of the Corporatist Security State because: he is the greatest threat for peace to break out among potential combatants, before the War Party has had a chance at a decent war in order to grab for the resources of the Greater Middle East,* which the War Party has faced in the last 70 years.
note* The Greater Middle East includes Ukraine, the Petroleum distribution hub states of Iran and Turkey, and the Stans of the Central Asian Plain.
1
Disabling the alarm system is the first thing any competent burglar does upon gaining access.
11
Anybody who wants to understand Trump's friendliness to Russia should read Mother Jones' reports (here and here) on Russian attempts to spy on and recruit Trump. The information was apparently passed on to the FBI before the election.
4
The CIA must have trump's tax returns, and data on all his past dealings with Putin, as well as data on the election hacking.
The CIA must also know 'leaky' characters and websites such as Assange and wikileaks.
It is past time to start the leaking. If Assange won't do it, others will.
The CIA could and should expose thus bringing down this guy who is a threat to national security.
The CIA must also know 'leaky' characters and websites such as Assange and wikileaks.
It is past time to start the leaking. If Assange won't do it, others will.
The CIA could and should expose thus bringing down this guy who is a threat to national security.
4
If you rely on any info other than that propagated by the NYT's you will know already that the CIA has a checkered past that has nothing to do with their pet issue now of discrediting the Trump presidency. Just research Mohammad Mossadegh to understand their role in the current relationship, or lack thereof, between the US and Iran. To me, Trump is not the person for the office, however it is is interesting to note how the NYTs among other media outlets are continually trying to undermine his presidency before it begins, and then decry the Russian media taking he opposite position. This is a great public hypocrisy playing out in plain sight with, frighteningly, the full cooperation of the "intelligence" arms of our government.
I suppose this is obvious, but isn't this contempt for our intelligence agencies exactly the sort of thing you'd expect from a Russian agent? I'm not accusing Trump of being a Russian spy, but he's certainly acting like one.
7
Trump is a clown. This country will pay a heavy price for his national security ignorance as well as his lack of understanding basic economics. Trump does not and can not tell the truth! January 20th will be a sad day for the USA and the world! There is a reason 58% of voters in New York State voted against him, we know he is a clown the makes his own reality.
7
If Trump does not trust the Intelligence Community then "who does he trust - where is he getting the information to make his decisions?"
1
Americans have to decide what's more important their security or Trump's ego. It's obvious he's opted for the latter.
6
This disaster will be paid for by our children now at a delicate wonderful age, in both blood and money. Never will trump, the political class, and the unpatriotic rich who are poised to rob our national treasures yet again pay such a price.
5
And throw in his propensity to proliferate nuclear weapons, the main fear of Bill Perry who is an experienced nuclear war expert dating from the Cuban missile crisis and who was the subject of a recent Atlantic Magazine article, we have a very dangerous mixture indeed.
2
This is exactly the reason, Putin has covertly helped Trump win. He wants to weaken the meticulous American institutions. A nation is strong only as much as her institutions. President plays a vital role in its upkeep and effectiveness. Putin is smart. He is playing chess. Weaken the institutions, commence the weakening of nation.
7
Donald Trump is dangerous. Dangerous to our nation.
He's dangerous to our intelligence community.
He's dangerous to our education system.
He's dangerous to our environment.
He's dangerous to our civil rights.
He's dangerous to economic foundations.
He's dangerous to our friends in the world.
He's dangerous to our enemies in the world.
He's dangerous to workers.
He's dangerous to our health care system.
He's dangerous to humanity.
When Richard Nixon won the biggest landslide in 1972, the Watergate burglary had already happened. The idea of impeachment was a silly, inane idea. Then, on the evening of August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon announced that he was resigning the following day. It followed from hearings that lead to the House Judiciary Committee sending down articles of Impeachment that at least one Republican signed on to. As the Senate votes were counted ahead of the trial, it was clear at least 67 votes for conviction were assured.
So, rather than face a sure-fire conviction in an impeachment trial, Nixon resigned.
It is possible to go from the ridiculous, the inane, to the legal removal of a criminal President. And there has never been a more criminal President than Donald Trump.
We need to begin working for impeachment, now. Today.
He's dangerous to our intelligence community.
He's dangerous to our education system.
He's dangerous to our environment.
He's dangerous to our civil rights.
He's dangerous to economic foundations.
He's dangerous to our friends in the world.
He's dangerous to our enemies in the world.
He's dangerous to workers.
He's dangerous to our health care system.
He's dangerous to humanity.
When Richard Nixon won the biggest landslide in 1972, the Watergate burglary had already happened. The idea of impeachment was a silly, inane idea. Then, on the evening of August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon announced that he was resigning the following day. It followed from hearings that lead to the House Judiciary Committee sending down articles of Impeachment that at least one Republican signed on to. As the Senate votes were counted ahead of the trial, it was clear at least 67 votes for conviction were assured.
So, rather than face a sure-fire conviction in an impeachment trial, Nixon resigned.
It is possible to go from the ridiculous, the inane, to the legal removal of a criminal President. And there has never been a more criminal President than Donald Trump.
We need to begin working for impeachment, now. Today.
15
What must Mr. Trump be hiding? For all of the denials and attacks on the Intel Community, Private Citizen Trump is just trying way too hard to shove the issue aside. And all of the other distractions--that we'll have to get used to--or helping to take America's eyes off the idea that Russia DID help him get elected.
Generally, a sane person doesn't try to attack, and overshadow with nonsense, something that they do not understand. Intelligence work is cumulative, (remember?) connecting-the-dots across a broad sample of seemingly unrelated facts. But, Mr. Trump--with his alleged very short attention span--feels that the can just drop-in from time to time.
Donald, let's make a deal. I'll try to be respectful of the in-coming President; but, only when he assumes to get serious about the Office of the Presidency. This is not your latest surreality show, "Presidential Apprentice", and we certainly do not need to endure re-runs of "Family Affair" either!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Generally, a sane person doesn't try to attack, and overshadow with nonsense, something that they do not understand. Intelligence work is cumulative, (remember?) connecting-the-dots across a broad sample of seemingly unrelated facts. But, Mr. Trump--with his alleged very short attention span--feels that the can just drop-in from time to time.
Donald, let's make a deal. I'll try to be respectful of the in-coming President; but, only when he assumes to get serious about the Office of the Presidency. This is not your latest surreality show, "Presidential Apprentice", and we certainly do not need to endure re-runs of "Family Affair" either!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
3
Trumps continued denial of Russian involvement is understandable as he does not want his Presidency de-legitimized by this taint. He should shift to acknowledging the validity of the Intelligence Community report. Then point out that virtually all the dumped negative information is the Democratic in their own hand discussing their corruption and most of it predates his obtaining the Republican nomination. There was no fake news claim in the intelligence report, this was not your usual spy disinformation campaign. It was a bright light shining on corrupt Democrat’s in their own words. Secretary Clinton's obfuscations around her own e-mail debacle lent a certain credence to it all. I can’t unknow what was learned in those email dumps. Dastardly people undone by despicable Russians.
1
Every scary editorial. We need to hit the streets. It would show the Russians that we are angry and paying attention to their spying on our presidential election. This new Trumpism is very dangerous and threatening to our country and our freedoms. This is the time to step up.
4
Donald Trump does not care about America. He does not care about the democratic West. He is an autocratic oligarch. He is in the same boat as ther Putinisten. He appointed other oligarchs. None of these people cares about democracy and good institutions. They want a Banana Republic to enrich themselves. The swamp has total power. The newspapers who maligned Hillary Clinton are responsible as well.
3
Is it Russia's fault that in America every elected office is determined by popular vote except that of President?
2
Trump's undermining the CIA makes perfect sense given his program to use his new position as President to grow his global businesses while concealing this and appearing to act in the nation's interest. The last thing he wants is an objective CIA peering over his shoulder, digging up and dishing out the bad news truth about him. So his agenda to shrink the agency and put his own folks in charge to stop the outflow of news that embarasses him. An honest media is undesirable for the same reasons. See Trump reach for control for his own personal gain.
4
"Mr. Trump's attacks on the agency surprised me, but they shouldn't have."
Just look at the disasters Mr. Trump's ego is already causing for the U.S.--and he hasn't even assumed office yet! Combine the ego with his ignorance and incuriosity, and the possibilities are endless. May God help us.
Just look at the disasters Mr. Trump's ego is already causing for the U.S.--and he hasn't even assumed office yet! Combine the ego with his ignorance and incuriosity, and the possibilities are endless. May God help us.
6
Donald Trump must own National Security. He is responsible for the next Benghazi. He is responsible for the next Orlando. If he is weakening and politicizing his info gathering resources, he is placing us at risk. He was elected based on his promises to make us more secure. So far, he is failing ... and his millions of dollars for a wall is another boondoggle, and will never replace the intelligence services he is disparaging.
3
Many citizens are beginning to figure out things and to act outside of government involvement.
Yesterday he demanded an investigation by Congress of who gave NBC the CIA's report before he saw it. He has not demanded an investigation by Congress of who interfered in our Presidential election. A slight to his ego is more important than a threat to our Democracy.
6
It's easy to see why those who support Trump dismiss the CIA, given how their data were manipulated by Dick Cheney in 2002-3.
I now fear that the next foreign policy disaster will come from the President with no guidance at all from the intelligence community. And under this man, a disaster will come. I plan to point a finger, and maybe throw a few punches, at those who elected this sleepless, spasm-Tweeting, walking Id.
I now fear that the next foreign policy disaster will come from the President with no guidance at all from the intelligence community. And under this man, a disaster will come. I plan to point a finger, and maybe throw a few punches, at those who elected this sleepless, spasm-Tweeting, walking Id.
2
As we try to resist the threats to democracy from the incoming administration of a thin skinned autocrat and his sycophants, we will need whistle blowers and "deep throats" more than ever in history. Also, watch to see how the few competent voices within the transition/administration get marginalized by the Flynns and Bannons.
5
Another concern Mr. Morell doesn't mention: When President Trump (and successors) need to justify actions based on intelligence, Mr. Trump's derisive comments about US intelligence will weaken and undermine president's credibility. Especially when we need to respond to cyber attacks in the future.
3
What amazes me is why the GOP accepts Trump's behavior. I think the answer is simply, power. Regardless whether he is nuts or not, power is attained. Now, the GOP can do whatever it wants now that they control the presidency and both houses.
What a price the GOP and for that matter the whole country has now paid.
What a price the GOP and for that matter the whole country has now paid.
6
In the 1950s, Senator McCarthy (advised by Trump's late personal consigliere Roy Cohn) attacked all enemies, real or perceived, as potentially Russian spies. Now we have to wonder if, 60 years later, a McCarthy acolyte - now president-elect - is one himself! Republican embracement of the neo-Soviet leader is not just chilling, it must be investigated as potentially treasonous.
4
This would be a good time for Russian intelligence or any other intelligence operation to present whatever information it has about Donald Trump and his associates. Time to come clean and put cards on the table.
No wonder Don the Con sought to kill this story from being investigated and has bad mouthed US intelligence agencies. He is literally a puppet of a hostile foreign power. Further investigation may review actual coordination between Russian intelligence and Trump's campaign. This also explains why Trump changed the GOP platform to be pro-Putin and his admiration for the Russian dictator. In short, our next president may be essentially a Russian spy and traitor.
7
The Trump presidency will test the checks and balances in our government to an unprecedented (unpresidented?) degree. If this nation can survive the next four years, it will be a true testament to its greatness.
2
The president-elect needs to grasp the fact that the U.S. is not Russia. His attempts to be dismissive of the intelligence community and the establishment media like the NY Times, the Washington Post and CNN that he has already singled out for his censure and others, is a part deliberate strategy to protect himself from the negative consequences of the inevitable future critical reports v him and his administration by both institutions.
His discounting of the reality that Russia did indeed hack U.S. institutions in order to instigate a tactical campaign to undermine the 2016 presidential elections; his denial of climate change; his frequent pro-Russian rhetoric throughout the campaign season; his hiring of Paul Manafort as a campaign mgr with strong Russian ties and who resides at Trump Towers in NY; his placement of ret. Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn as his National Security adviser who also has pro -Russian leanings as well as antipathy towards the intelligence community's work product, demonstrates a mind set that will not be easily moved.
The above does not even take into account of the fact that he has resorted to Russian monies to finance his various projects. The question is whether the president-elect's policy towards Russia is designed to protect his business interests v the U.S national interest priorities.
His discounting of the reality that Russia did indeed hack U.S. institutions in order to instigate a tactical campaign to undermine the 2016 presidential elections; his denial of climate change; his frequent pro-Russian rhetoric throughout the campaign season; his hiring of Paul Manafort as a campaign mgr with strong Russian ties and who resides at Trump Towers in NY; his placement of ret. Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn as his National Security adviser who also has pro -Russian leanings as well as antipathy towards the intelligence community's work product, demonstrates a mind set that will not be easily moved.
The above does not even take into account of the fact that he has resorted to Russian monies to finance his various projects. The question is whether the president-elect's policy towards Russia is designed to protect his business interests v the U.S national interest priorities.
1
A few quotes from the president elect:
--"Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 [Clinton] emails that are missing."
--"President Trump would be so much better for U.S.-Russian relations than a President Clinton. I don’t think Putin has any respect whatsoever for Clinton."
--“[Putin has] been a leader far more than our president [Obama] has been a leader.”
If a Democratic candidate had uttered these statements and then lost the presidential election by almost 3 million votes but had won the electoral college; and if the entire U.S. intel community had then provided proof to the nation that the the Russians interfered in our election process with the explicit intent of helping that candidate defeat the Republican candidate, the GOP would screaming from the rooftops and demanding investigations. Their hypocrisy is breathtaking and very dangerous for our nation's security.
--"Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 [Clinton] emails that are missing."
--"President Trump would be so much better for U.S.-Russian relations than a President Clinton. I don’t think Putin has any respect whatsoever for Clinton."
--“[Putin has] been a leader far more than our president [Obama] has been a leader.”
If a Democratic candidate had uttered these statements and then lost the presidential election by almost 3 million votes but had won the electoral college; and if the entire U.S. intel community had then provided proof to the nation that the the Russians interfered in our election process with the explicit intent of helping that candidate defeat the Republican candidate, the GOP would screaming from the rooftops and demanding investigations. Their hypocrisy is breathtaking and very dangerous for our nation's security.
6
This is a by now a totally predictable pattern of behavior. Everyone who centers into Mr Trumps cross hairs becomes an object of ether denigration or admiration.
There is no middle to this man's mind. I don't think this tendency needs further analysis. The pattern is consistent from the beginning of the campaign. This quality of mind makes him unfit for the office he will soon hold. What's equally disturbing is how much support he has in spite of his behavior. The Republican leadership in the House and Senate are going to be on trial by fire as they respond the chaos of the Trump presidency.
There is no middle to this man's mind. I don't think this tendency needs further analysis. The pattern is consistent from the beginning of the campaign. This quality of mind makes him unfit for the office he will soon hold. What's equally disturbing is how much support he has in spite of his behavior. The Republican leadership in the House and Senate are going to be on trial by fire as they respond the chaos of the Trump presidency.
5
The only way to maintain the credibility of the CIA and the FBI is to make them independent of the Executive Branch.
In too many cases, especially during the lead up to the Iraq War, they have been politicized by a president and his administration.
If an incoming president can appoint the head of the CIA or FBI, he or she can influence their decision on intelligence matter.
That is a dangerous thing in a democracy.
In too many cases, especially during the lead up to the Iraq War, they have been politicized by a president and his administration.
If an incoming president can appoint the head of the CIA or FBI, he or she can influence their decision on intelligence matter.
That is a dangerous thing in a democracy.
I have never. in my 70 years, woken with dread of what the new day would hold. But daily now, I am assaulted with the disgusting behavior of this man whose personal presence screams that he "would be king". His ego is a race car run amok, and he can't seem to get out of the driver's seat and into the role of President. Ordinarily I would say that none of us are perfect, and to each his own. But this egalomaniac is going to take us all on his destructive ride. And as much as I shrink each day from yet another unbelievable report, I just hope that the media keeps on top of him so that we can avoid the same mistake of electing someone so unqualified the next time around.
11
Dangerous Donald will kill us all. If we're lucky, we'll avoid a complete collapse of the economy and nuclear devastation long enough to deny him another 4 years. I'd relocate abroad but I don't think there will be any corner of the Earth that will be safer.
3
Now--January 7, 2016--is the time to begin questioning Mr. Trump's motives in constantly coming to the rescue of Russia's reputation. It is actually way past time, but today will do. Why would a president-elect reject every piece of evidence pointing to Russian involvement in his election? Why would he undermine faith in an organization that he, and the public, will need for future security? Why does Mr. Trump place his trust in the Russian government instead of in his own country's intelligence community? I don't know the answers, though I suspect that money is at the heart of the issue, as it seems to be for the lion's share of Mr. Trump's decisions. A congressional committee needs to examine these questions. Surely they are as important as Mrs. Clinton's "damned" emails.
9
I cannot fathom a Democratic President defending Russia; calling America' s concerns a "Witch Hunt". Congressional Republicans would be scouring the nation looking for a sympathetic Federal Judge (likely the one in Texas they use to challenge the President) to order a release of All tax records "in the interest of National Security", America needs to see Donald Trump's Financial records.
This matter is like a dark "spy thriller" where the good guy is really the bad guy dressed up like a President-Elect.
This matter is like a dark "spy thriller" where the good guy is really the bad guy dressed up like a President-Elect.
2
Threats to US national security? There was a digital coup d'etat, but TPTB qre not declaring that election invalid. There was the pre-9/11 memo, but the POTUS and his cabinet didn't want to ruin their vacations. The CIA and FBI have been asleep at the wheel on numerous occasions (think Boston bomber, would-be Times Square bomber), but sometimes the POTUS and advisers need to focus, discuss, question, and plan. That's called leadership, Trump and his gang misinterpret "The buck stops here" to mean "The Art of The Deal."
7
As long as the Republicans and we, the people, give him a pass for his anti-US
behavior, he will pass us over with his new power every hour of every day. The antics of darkness, uncovered by any media, will be his most savored delights, with the mirage of Tweets and white nationalist, unwavering support. This is Putin's real victory; enabling Trump to experience the same viciousness as himself. True and glorious comrades; godly fortune and wealth forever while the world squirms with shiny objects (social media) and launches rockets of hate for each other. Their brilliant compact, which our democracy has never seen so openly, is the new war of our lifetime, and has just begun.
behavior, he will pass us over with his new power every hour of every day. The antics of darkness, uncovered by any media, will be his most savored delights, with the mirage of Tweets and white nationalist, unwavering support. This is Putin's real victory; enabling Trump to experience the same viciousness as himself. True and glorious comrades; godly fortune and wealth forever while the world squirms with shiny objects (social media) and launches rockets of hate for each other. Their brilliant compact, which our democracy has never seen so openly, is the new war of our lifetime, and has just begun.
5
I have no great love for Spooks but they are necessary evil in a demonic world. Indeed there might be many expedient acts that normal people find extremely disagreeable. However, making an habitual stand against the intelligence community doesn't make the world safer. The world is not binary. There are dedicated individuals who truly believe in a better world through their work. Unlike people like Snowden, they swallow their pride and make hard judgment for the greater good.
So Mr Morell is right about the need of POETUS to support these agencies. They can be a great asset for the good of America as well as humanity if they can forgo turf wars and maintain a reasonable moral core. Ironically, Mr Trump's disparagement may unite them against the real common enemies, people like Putin who are hellbent on world domination
So Mr Morell is right about the need of POETUS to support these agencies. They can be a great asset for the good of America as well as humanity if they can forgo turf wars and maintain a reasonable moral core. Ironically, Mr Trump's disparagement may unite them against the real common enemies, people like Putin who are hellbent on world domination
7
Of course we need a diligent and effective CIA, one that makes corrections based upon failures to know what is going on around the world, but the agency that we are really talking about when we discuss 'cyberattacks' is the NSA. The problem, actually it isn’t one, is that little is known about the workings of the NSA, much less the findings. Trump will come around, the advantages of having good intelligence will become obvious, but in the meantime don’t lift the curtain on things that people without the clearances don’t need to know about.
1
Come on, you unfair journalists! You've hardly mentioned that today Trump called for a bi-partisan Congressional investigation of - who leaked the intelligence report on Russia's intervention in our election to NBC!
He hasn't called for a bi-partisan House investigation of Russia's intervention in our election. It's pretty clear that he is not going to. And neither has Paul Ryan suggested that the House might hold a hearing of Russian intervention in our elections. The House did hold 8 hearings on Hillary Clinton's role in Benghazi and her email server - but not one on an effort by our enemy to disrupt our electoral process.
The one Senate hearing yesterday just scraped the surface. It did not explore the fact that Russia also hacked the Republican National Party. What did they learn there that they may use to their future advantage?
We need a thorough investigation by and independent counsel.
He hasn't called for a bi-partisan House investigation of Russia's intervention in our election. It's pretty clear that he is not going to. And neither has Paul Ryan suggested that the House might hold a hearing of Russian intervention in our elections. The House did hold 8 hearings on Hillary Clinton's role in Benghazi and her email server - but not one on an effort by our enemy to disrupt our electoral process.
The one Senate hearing yesterday just scraped the surface. It did not explore the fact that Russia also hacked the Republican National Party. What did they learn there that they may use to their future advantage?
We need a thorough investigation by and independent counsel.
11
What if, those in the military hierarchy disagree with the administration direction and refuse orders or worse?
2
my prediction is that Trump will be impeached during his first term.
9
This is really pretty simple. There are a growing number of us who wonder what side Mr. Trump is on. He doesn't seem to be leaning in our direction.
The excuses Trump's supporters feel forced to make sound more and more like---the dog ate his homework-- believe him.
The excuses Trump's supporters feel forced to make sound more and more like---the dog ate his homework-- believe him.
11
I think that the intelligence agencies should investigate whether the Trump campaign, or Trump himself, was actively involved in supporting or encouraging the Russian hacking efforts.
15
There is speculation that Putin holds something that keeps Trump on his side, such as a copy if his taxes. But the simple answer is what Trump has told us all along. He admires Putin as a strongman. In short, Trump would like nothing more than to be the Putin of America. Thus, he cannot abide criticism of the model he aspires to.
This has nothing to do with Trump liking Russia. He likes but himself.
This has nothing to do with Trump liking Russia. He likes but himself.
7
I don't trust Putin. And I don't believe anything Trumpsky says. I don't even listen to what he says, because I assume it's a lie and I usually am right.
8
Donald Trump. The man who will go down as just not psychologically fit to be President.
Sounds so simple, but how many complications will it take to get to the point and do something about it?
Shame on this country for allowing this to happen.
Sounds so simple, but how many complications will it take to get to the point and do something about it?
Shame on this country for allowing this to happen.
12
Too late now. We elected him and now the consequences. We get the government we deserve.
6
Over the next four years, professional civil service workers will be vitally important in defending Americans against Trump ... this will be true for citizens who deeply distrust the new president, AND for all his supporters, many of whom don't yet recognize the threat he (with Paul Ryan) poses to a number of the government programs they need and rely on.
Donald Trump has shown himself repeatedly to be a selfish, careless, and petty bully. He has recruited a team of anti-government billionaire Destructors, rigid evangelicals, climate-change deniers, and conspiracy theorists. Many of them despise the agencies they will soon lead.
So ... please ... to all the lawyers, spies, surveillance experts, educators, scientists, administrators, to any civil servant who has worked to implement gender equality, reduce air and water pollution, save our federal lands from oil and gas drilling ... please don't quit.
Look at a picture of Bagnell Dam. It's big and strong and holds back countless tons of water, thus preventing a monumental, explosive flood. Please imagine yourself as part of a similar structure and hold fast. Don't resign. Don't pack up your desk folders and throw your laptop in the car.
Please. It's simply true ... America needs you.
Donald Trump has shown himself repeatedly to be a selfish, careless, and petty bully. He has recruited a team of anti-government billionaire Destructors, rigid evangelicals, climate-change deniers, and conspiracy theorists. Many of them despise the agencies they will soon lead.
So ... please ... to all the lawyers, spies, surveillance experts, educators, scientists, administrators, to any civil servant who has worked to implement gender equality, reduce air and water pollution, save our federal lands from oil and gas drilling ... please don't quit.
Look at a picture of Bagnell Dam. It's big and strong and holds back countless tons of water, thus preventing a monumental, explosive flood. Please imagine yourself as part of a similar structure and hold fast. Don't resign. Don't pack up your desk folders and throw your laptop in the car.
Please. It's simply true ... America needs you.
11
It's a national security imperative that we see his 1040s and bank statements.
16
Let us also remember that the weapons of mass destruction fallacy was shoved down the throats of the agencies by W, Cheney and Rumsfeld, not the other way around.
10
Tip for our - ugh- incoming president: Ask to see the evidence first before going public with your usual conclusions based on what you personally have invested in something and/or like or don't like.
K?
Sad the US President even needs to be told such a thing, by a lowly layperson no less.
Who voted for this crazy man? Trump's dangerous? What is really dangerous is that we have a population large enough and a system now that allowed a lunatic like this man near the Oval Office, let alone voted him into it! That scares me more than anything.
K?
Sad the US President even needs to be told such a thing, by a lowly layperson no less.
Who voted for this crazy man? Trump's dangerous? What is really dangerous is that we have a population large enough and a system now that allowed a lunatic like this man near the Oval Office, let alone voted him into it! That scares me more than anything.
13
The C.I.A.'s evil incompetent crusade against the Constitution and failing to protect the national security defense interest and values of the American people is far more dangerous than Trump's delusional denial of exposing Vladimir Putin's efforts to elect him.
Two things can be true. The C.I.A. is ineffectively partisan. And Putin had a vendetta against Clinton that favored Trump's election. Morell was a Hillary partisan political supporter.
From Aldrich Ames treason to kidnapping, torture, indefinite detention during the "war on terror" to the failure to detect and deter the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks to spying on Americans without reasonable suspicion or probable cause to targeting and killing American citizens without due process of law or probable cause the C.I.A. is a rogue agency that needs to be brought to heel.
The tragedy, irony and paradox is that the first black president of the Harvard Law Review and the United States who was a Constitutional Law scholar and professor became the "Big Brother" of an Orwellian nightmare. A black vernacular brother being the ultimate big bad brother named Barack Hussein Obama.
Two things can be true. The C.I.A. is ineffectively partisan. And Putin had a vendetta against Clinton that favored Trump's election. Morell was a Hillary partisan political supporter.
From Aldrich Ames treason to kidnapping, torture, indefinite detention during the "war on terror" to the failure to detect and deter the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks to spying on Americans without reasonable suspicion or probable cause to targeting and killing American citizens without due process of law or probable cause the C.I.A. is a rogue agency that needs to be brought to heel.
The tragedy, irony and paradox is that the first black president of the Harvard Law Review and the United States who was a Constitutional Law scholar and professor became the "Big Brother" of an Orwellian nightmare. A black vernacular brother being the ultimate big bad brother named Barack Hussein Obama.
4
I deeply appreciate the thoughts of Michael Morell and thank him for his bravery over the course of his career, as well as his bravery for writing this piece. What we need, in addition to this type of op ed piece, though, are ideas for what people like me can do. Tell me what we can do to help combat what is unfolding right before our eyes. I am feeling helpless and want to take any sort of action that might help mitigate this madman from gaining more traction in the 'power' department.
20
I am reminded of advice passed on to me from a young woman who worked for many years waiting tables in order to put herself through college. Having waited on tables myself when I was in school, I could relate to her stories of hauling trays full of dirty dishes, etc. And I wasn't surprised to hear about the abuse she frequently took from despicable customers who wantonly abused her.
But she also told me something I had never imagined when I was waiting on tables; never be nasty to someone who has the opportunity to spit in your food.
Now, I'm not suggesting anything.
But I can imagine that the good people at the CIA have been around the block a time or two. And I can imagine that they understand quite a bit about holding their ground, so to speak.
Mr. Trump might be well advised to think about who he is alienating.
Just sayin.
But she also told me something I had never imagined when I was waiting on tables; never be nasty to someone who has the opportunity to spit in your food.
Now, I'm not suggesting anything.
But I can imagine that the good people at the CIA have been around the block a time or two. And I can imagine that they understand quite a bit about holding their ground, so to speak.
Mr. Trump might be well advised to think about who he is alienating.
Just sayin.
89
The main thrust of Trump and the political Republicans is to sow distrust of any agency or aspect of government so that Trump can say that he is the only one who knows the truth of any situation or issue, thus making us entirely dependent upon him. America is already being held hostage by him, Bannon, Conway, etc, in hopes that more of us will develop the Stockholm Syndrome that's affected the people who voted for him.
55
Gad, we have never seen so many needing mental evaluations, needing moral principles.
1
At last some critical thinking and reasoning from Trump questioning an agency, which has prone to mendacity in the past. He is simply asking some basic questions: where are the facts? Just because RT reported some stories against American political system or questioned Hillary or Democrats doesn't mean they are colluding with Putin. You need a reasoning and thinking person, and Trump is the right guy. He is a guy with some common sense and a sense of reality. Some liberal supporters will question me because they have drenched in "Fake News" from the main stream media. Remember, Trump's election website exactly predicted the states they will win and pointed out what exactly are the swing states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvannia where in their maps as swings. He won those states, except Ohio, with a small margin. No wonder he won the elections and the so-called media caught napping all along from the primaries. Thus, it is nothing wrong in asking some basic questions and criticizing an organization that has a special interest which may not align with the national interest at times like the purported evidences like Iraq's WMD.
2
I question whether the person writing these comments even read the article. Key points were missed.
2
Unfortunately we have an unholy alliance between the elites in Washington (neoliberal neoconservative =warparty). We need conflict to keep the funding flowing and what is better than the ultimate bad guy Putin. We have troops at Russia's borders and the drums are beating. Unfortunately Trump seems to want to disrupt the party. Stop the presses. Mustn't let that happen.
2
How likely is it that Russia influenced/paid Agent Orange and others to promote the Birther Conspiracy Theory to undermine President Obama?
From ICA Report, "Russia, like its Soviet predecessor, has a history of conducting covert influence campaigns focused on US presidential elections that have used intelligence officers and agents and press placements to disparage candidates perceived as hostile to the Kremlin"
From ICA Report, "Russia, like its Soviet predecessor, has a history of conducting covert influence campaigns focused on US presidential elections that have used intelligence officers and agents and press placements to disparage candidates perceived as hostile to the Kremlin"
4
I hope there is some sort of circuit breaker in our system. Our capricious, soon-to-be leader may be the greatest, immediate threat to our national security - even our survival. There is reason to be frightened. The man lacks character and is operationally and psychologically incompetent.
9
The bottom line is that there is zero evidence that the Russians influenced the outcome of the election; and zero evidence that their alleged hacking of DNC computers posed anything other than a threat to the deceptive practices of the Democratic Party.
The American people are better off for knowing about Podesta's emails - hacked through an elementary phishing scam; and better off for knowing that the DNC had it in for Sanders.
Besides, is our government really going to deny, with a straight face, that we're not hacking into, or trying to, Russian and other countries' computers every day, with an aim to influence their internal affairs?
The American people are better off for knowing about Podesta's emails - hacked through an elementary phishing scam; and better off for knowing that the DNC had it in for Sanders.
Besides, is our government really going to deny, with a straight face, that we're not hacking into, or trying to, Russian and other countries' computers every day, with an aim to influence their internal affairs?
2
If the contents of the Republican emails were divulged, I am sure the contents would be equally damaging, or more so.
2
When will candidates for the highest offices be required to be vetted for getting a security clearance? Trump fails. Yet he is going to have access to the highest level of intelligence. Our only salvation is that he will not read it. Too long, too many words.
A neighbor who voted for Trump finds nay terms he doesn't already know, complex facts and long texts a personal insult. He sees Trump as "like him" by needing to ignore anything but a conclusion in 140 words. There is a lesson in this type of response. Personally insulted by new information not already known or believed or how to build an low information voter. My neighbor is wicked smart but short.
A neighbor who voted for Trump finds nay terms he doesn't already know, complex facts and long texts a personal insult. He sees Trump as "like him" by needing to ignore anything but a conclusion in 140 words. There is a lesson in this type of response. Personally insulted by new information not already known or believed or how to build an low information voter. My neighbor is wicked smart but short.
5
Mr. Morell, please keep writing and talking. Many of us "out here" are getting very, very scared. We are feeling our safety and security evaporate with every stupid tweet and appointment. I'm 70 years old and have never felt this afraid, particularly for the world our children face with this mad man in office. Every day someone asks me, desperately, what can we do to end this madness! We must do something. Now.
11
In 1968, the Democrats accused Nixon of making a secret deal with South Vietnam to win the election.
In 1980, the Democrats accused Reagan of making a secret deal with the Iranians to win the ejection.
Same old playbook.
In 1980, the Democrats accused Reagan of making a secret deal with the Iranians to win the ejection.
Same old playbook.
7
DJT is a spoiled twit developer who has made an alleged fortune badgering, threatening, sueing and abandoning those who cannot afford or are not willing to endure his endless attacks partiicularly in court. He is now in an arena where his blustery methods and fragile ego can and will be met with little more than a smirk. Like all enterprise the clandestine and intelligence services make mistakes and can benefit from improvement. For the productive, competant and patriotic men and women of these services to walk because working for this clown is unappealing would be a mistake and to remain doing the valuable work an improvement.
8
The question is why Trump undermining the intelligence community - there is a direct conflict of purpose. Trump creates an imaginary world by his lies to get his strength, intelligence community try to create the real view of the world. This is not the end of this conflict - this will be ongoing. Two consequence of this conflict - either Trump will make major mistake and damage US interest or intelligence community will sabotage Trump policy to damage Trump's interest. Both situation is bad for US.
3
U.S. intelligence agencies will get no sympathy from me. They have violated my civil rights, and the civil rights of every American citizen with impunity. Their domestic spying apparatus and collection of phone and email records from citizens not suspected of any crime must stop. The siezure of personal property from people innicent of any crime must stop. Extra-judicial killings of citizens must stop. Throwing people in jail for petty crimes because they can not post bail must stop. Our intelligence, and by extension, our criminal justice systems are all out of control.
The government cracks down and jails only the little guy. Our laws are used only to keep the proles in line while for the big boys, it's the wild west all over again. Our Republic is disintegrating before our very eyes.
The government cracks down and jails only the little guy. Our laws are used only to keep the proles in line while for the big boys, it's the wild west all over again. Our Republic is disintegrating before our very eyes.
2
Even before taking office, Trump has clearly demonstrated he has no concept of the role and the responsibilities in the position of President. He is categorically unfit to be our President, and his actions and words may very well impose serious harm upon our country and our democracy. How can the serious leaders of our nation, regardless of their political affilliation, stand by and allow this to happen? I fear for our nation and our children's future prospects under the Trump administration.
10
Who is Trump working for? Where are his loyalties? He acts like a double agent. Does he intend to disparage so much of American government so his statement during the primaries of "I am your voice, I alone can fix it. I will restore law and order" comes to pass. As bizarre as it is scary. Welcome America to the plutocracy and oligarchy ushered in by your complacency generated by corporate America's ubiquitous presence and invasion of your privacy via social media and its ilk. Observe and weep for the future of your children.
15
If find Conservative argument that if an organization is not perfect, it should be totally dissolved pretty disturbing. One mistake over a lifetime is a total disqualifier. Of course, such arguments are made only towards the institutions they do not like. Right wing media has made this tactic a staple, and the overall success can be seen in the comments below.
Notice, also, Conservatives never talk about the successes or failures of their own policies and institutions. Always the failure of the liberal past, and the unquestioned success their policies will bring in the future.
To me, these are things the media misses. They repeat the failures of liberals, and never do a comparison of the Conservative record.
Notice, also, Conservatives never talk about the successes or failures of their own policies and institutions. Always the failure of the liberal past, and the unquestioned success their policies will bring in the future.
To me, these are things the media misses. They repeat the failures of liberals, and never do a comparison of the Conservative record.
6
It must be frustrating to work for the CIA. The clandestine people need a personal cover story for their friends and family, the agency cannot even take credit for its most sensitive triumphs, the list goes on. And of course, the downside of having to rely on human intelligence is that people make mistakes and of course, people lie. I am not certain the current post-9-11 configuration of our several intelligence services under a national director of intelligence -- a spymaster with no spies under his direct control, i.e., a bureaucrat -- makes a lick of sense. But for the President-elect to denigrate the agencies themselves, and by extension, the people here and abroad putting their lives on the line for our country is nothing short of shameful. But there is a reason why a soldier, if offered a binary choice, would rather share a foxhole with a coward than someone who cheats on their spouse.
26
The complexity of international networks in which the CIA and a host of other U.S. Intelligence Agencies function is beyond what any average citizen can contemplate, let alone understand. The development of any assessment relies on information-gathering that is analyzed, ordered, and ultimately presented to our government for policy and procedure. Invariably, the CIA/Intelligence community will come upon (and probably already has) evidence of the Trump Organization's entrenched ties with foreign actors, as well as Mr. Trump's and his minions' financial obligations, personal unions, and in some cases illegal, conflicted relationships abroad. This is what Mr. Trump fears.
Seen in this context, it's understandable that Mr. Trump has endeavored upon a campaign to vilify and discredit the Intelligence Community's competence. It's foundation-building, so that when evidence surfaces that shocks and awes the American public and Congress, as a carefully calculated defense he can point to the incompetence and untrustworthiness of the evidence's source.
Seen in this context, it's understandable that Mr. Trump has endeavored upon a campaign to vilify and discredit the Intelligence Community's competence. It's foundation-building, so that when evidence surfaces that shocks and awes the American public and Congress, as a carefully calculated defense he can point to the incompetence and untrustworthiness of the evidence's source.
8
As ignorant and uninterested as Trump is in geopolitics, he must have listened to people around him, before he questioned the competence of the CIA and "accused the agency of being biased and political." Otherwise he would hardly have said, "how we can trust the organization that incorrectly judged that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction?"
It's indeed worrying that people like Steve Bannon and Michael Flynn have Trump's ear. The two men are said to have a loose relationship with facts, which is a thorn in intelligence agencies' side. We don't know why Flynn left the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014 and he thinks of the CIA.
It's indeed worrying that people like Steve Bannon and Michael Flynn have Trump's ear. The two men are said to have a loose relationship with facts, which is a thorn in intelligence agencies' side. We don't know why Flynn left the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014 and he thinks of the CIA.
17
A few weeks ago the NYT had a column that explained Trumps behavior. In laymen's terms Trump is so ignorant that he doesn't realize he is ignorant, and he surrounds himself with other ignorant people, so their is no hope of correcting his ignorance.
27
This column makes legitimate yet obvious points. It is shocking that the man who will be president lacked the reflection to even think about these issues before opening his pie hole.
34
Mt.Morell, in Harry Truman's formulation, if CIA officers can't stand Donald Trump's heat, it really is time for them to get out of the kitchen.
The State Department has taken this sort of guff for many years and soldiered on with an occasional resignation on principle, quite different from leaving in droves because a President, like Nixon, said nasty things about the troops..
The actual danger is that history will repeat itself and the Trump team, which harbors disaffected ex intel types. will purge intel agencies, as John Foster Dulles purged State's China Hands at the instance of McCarthyites in Congress (see the Times's ecent report on the Dixie Mission).
.
What the CIA should want is the guts of former Acting DCI Dick Walters, who told the Nixon White House he would not, as Haldeman wished, take the fall for Watergate. America needs professionals who will refuse Trump administration pressure to cook analysis to his taste or obey unlawful orders to torture possible bad guys.
The State Department has taken this sort of guff for many years and soldiered on with an occasional resignation on principle, quite different from leaving in droves because a President, like Nixon, said nasty things about the troops..
The actual danger is that history will repeat itself and the Trump team, which harbors disaffected ex intel types. will purge intel agencies, as John Foster Dulles purged State's China Hands at the instance of McCarthyites in Congress (see the Times's ecent report on the Dixie Mission).
.
What the CIA should want is the guts of former Acting DCI Dick Walters, who told the Nixon White House he would not, as Haldeman wished, take the fall for Watergate. America needs professionals who will refuse Trump administration pressure to cook analysis to his taste or obey unlawful orders to torture possible bad guys.
5
There is another danger, which Mr Morell's piece does not mention. Trump's addiction to Twitter is one sign of someone who can't keep hi lip buttoned.
I can just see Trump letting some small but indicative piece of intelligence slip when he's bragging to Putin or or talking to "close friends". Will trump remember which bits of information he can tweet and which bits of apparent trivia might give away the identity of a source within the Kremlin?
And given that risk to agents, technologies and analyses, how can a foreign government hand over sensitive information to America's security services? I hope the British security services vet what they hand over - "Can we trust this to Donald Trump?"
Or is the CIA going to trim what they tell the President to what he can be allowed to Tweet?
I can just see Trump letting some small but indicative piece of intelligence slip when he's bragging to Putin or or talking to "close friends". Will trump remember which bits of information he can tweet and which bits of apparent trivia might give away the identity of a source within the Kremlin?
And given that risk to agents, technologies and analyses, how can a foreign government hand over sensitive information to America's security services? I hope the British security services vet what they hand over - "Can we trust this to Donald Trump?"
Or is the CIA going to trim what they tell the President to what he can be allowed to Tweet?
10
That is a danger. I know if I were at any one of our myriad intelligence agencies, I would be hesitant to share anything of importance with the ignorant orange buffoon, knowing that he is liable to Tweet it to the world in the middle of the night.
5
Just the fact that millions of Americans think that Trump should be our President makes clear that the US is sick and about to begin a period of potentially catastrophic decline. Nixon was bad. W was awful. But Trump makes them both seem almost decent by comparison.
30
Remember who the Chief Strategist is here and the agenda to dismantle our government, along with an President Elect who is unfit, unqualified to serve the citizens, who was never vetted as to his Financial dealings, and who is starting to reveal his Autocratic leanings.
7
Let's perhaps also acknowledge that the CIA and the plethora of other three-letter agencies of the United States' Intelligence Community are not staffed by warrior monks in lily-white robes, who only do good.
While it may very well be the case that the Russian Federation is behind the hacks, it would be equally truthful to state that the USA poses the greatest threat to the cyber-security of Russia.
So, it's a bit a pot-and-kettle story...
Now, that Mr. Trump is highly skeptical in his interactions with his Intelligence Agencies needn't be a bad thing. It should be an incentive for them to be more rigorous and more thorough. After all, the hacks DID take place and information WAS spread. Clearly there were flaws to be exploited, and in view of all that came before, it can't come as a surprise that someone saw fit to exploit this.
While it may very well be the case that the Russian Federation is behind the hacks, it would be equally truthful to state that the USA poses the greatest threat to the cyber-security of Russia.
So, it's a bit a pot-and-kettle story...
Now, that Mr. Trump is highly skeptical in his interactions with his Intelligence Agencies needn't be a bad thing. It should be an incentive for them to be more rigorous and more thorough. After all, the hacks DID take place and information WAS spread. Clearly there were flaws to be exploited, and in view of all that came before, it can't come as a surprise that someone saw fit to exploit this.
3
Consider this list : Memory Loss, Challenged by Problem Solving, Confusion, Trouble with Relationships, Problems with Speaking or (using actual) Words, False Accusations, Decreased and Poor Judgement, Suspicious. Anxious and Easily Offended.
My father had Alzheimer's and displayed those symptoms daily, never recanting yesterday's falsehoods, simply denying their occurrence.
Before he was tested, we just thought he was going crazy in his old age.
We did not, however, give him nuclear codes.
My father had Alzheimer's and displayed those symptoms daily, never recanting yesterday's falsehoods, simply denying their occurrence.
Before he was tested, we just thought he was going crazy in his old age.
We did not, however, give him nuclear codes.
18
Let's not forget that our intelligence services said that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and that James Clapper, whom many are quoting now, lied outright to Congress when he said that the NSA was not recording phone calls of US citizens--and he wasn't even reprimanded for it. Also, the military-industrial complex needs for Russia to be an enemy. It keeps those billions for defense pouring in. I'm not saying that Trump is right in this instance, but a healthy skepticism should always be in order when getting declarations from intelligence. They're not exactly free from political influence themselves.
3
About WMD and Iraq.... Dick Cheney was responsible. period.
2
Trump is a threat to national security and Mike Morell makes that point very clear.
What I cannot understand is the complacency over Trump's habitual pattern of lying. Most recently, he proclaimed that he had better information about the hacking of the DNC's server and would announce it (he couldn't have been referring to his Tweets on Julian Assange), but never did. He's now planning to ask the taxpayers to underwrite the Wall. He promised to drain the swamp, but appears to be nominating alligators to his Cabinet. And, let's not forget, he's justified his decision to withhold his taxes from the public most recently by saying nothing about his "IRS audit," but rather, stating that the public elected him so they "don't care" about the topic. Some of his Tweets (e.g., regarding his winning the election, ratings on the new Apprentice show, etc.) have also been so vitriolic that they are the furthest thing from being presidential. And, some of his Tweets have impacted relations with our allies (e.g., China).
The fact that a 33-year veteran of the CIA is worried should cause us all to be vigilant about everything Trump does as president and oppose his policies where warranted.
What I cannot understand is the complacency over Trump's habitual pattern of lying. Most recently, he proclaimed that he had better information about the hacking of the DNC's server and would announce it (he couldn't have been referring to his Tweets on Julian Assange), but never did. He's now planning to ask the taxpayers to underwrite the Wall. He promised to drain the swamp, but appears to be nominating alligators to his Cabinet. And, let's not forget, he's justified his decision to withhold his taxes from the public most recently by saying nothing about his "IRS audit," but rather, stating that the public elected him so they "don't care" about the topic. Some of his Tweets (e.g., regarding his winning the election, ratings on the new Apprentice show, etc.) have also been so vitriolic that they are the furthest thing from being presidential. And, some of his Tweets have impacted relations with our allies (e.g., China).
The fact that a 33-year veteran of the CIA is worried should cause us all to be vigilant about everything Trump does as president and oppose his policies where warranted.
22
There is something incredibly reassuring when reading all of these comments in that a vast majority feels the same way I do. This feeling of angst suggesting that something terribly wrong is happening, of a loss of control over a situation that is bound to affect us all. I'm glad that i'm not alone.
30
Alex, you are truly not alone. Don't ever feel you are. The majority of Americans do not support this corrupt mad man. He's psychotic, and we know it. I, like you, read these comments and find comfort - I'm a 70-year-old mother in North Carolina. I can't tell you how terrified we all are - and how committed we are to ridding ourselves of this monster. He is the worst monster this country has ever seen - and we know that. Trust me, you are not alone. I, for one, am driving to D.C. on Jan. 21 to join thousands to make our Resistance known. Canadians welcome!
2
Not a fan of the CIA, but it is one thing for an ordinary citizen to criticize the agency publicly, to protest against its policies and excesses; it is also entirely proper for Congress to hold hearings about the agency; it is, however, wholly unacceptable for an individual elected to the highest office in the land and to (one of) the most powerful positions in the world to disparage the agency publicly. Trump's conduct is unpatriotic and anti-American and quite possibly treasonous. But then again, it's all about Trump, isn't it . . .
26
Forgive me that I worry when I see words like "unpatriotic"and "anti-American" and "treasonous" thrown around, especially in defense of organizations such as the CIA and NSA. The core of what makes America great today is the unencumbered right to blow leaves with a gas-powered leaf blower, relatively cheap gasoline, unlimited central A/C, Starbucks at least once a day, a decent Pinot, the newest version of the iPhone, and a 65" 4K TV. I don't see Trump or Putin threatening any of these pillars of democracy. Party on Garth!
2
Donald Trump has his own reality. It has little to do with what a rational, moderately well-read person sees, let alone what someone sees who possesses the background of Mr. Morell.
Morell makes a concise, persuasive case in foreign affairs and the world of espionage in all its complexity: Trump is a grave danger to our republic. And the longer he continues as he has thus far, the more damage will accrue.
America waits for the Republican leadership to recognize they have let such a man assume the top job under their banner and with the aid and comfort of an enemy state. As Trump damages our nation, he could destroy their party, once and forever.
I wonder when their patriotism...or even their survival instincts finally kick in?
What will it take to get the Republican Party to do the right thing for the nation?
Morell makes a concise, persuasive case in foreign affairs and the world of espionage in all its complexity: Trump is a grave danger to our republic. And the longer he continues as he has thus far, the more damage will accrue.
America waits for the Republican leadership to recognize they have let such a man assume the top job under their banner and with the aid and comfort of an enemy state. As Trump damages our nation, he could destroy their party, once and forever.
I wonder when their patriotism...or even their survival instincts finally kick in?
What will it take to get the Republican Party to do the right thing for the nation?
22
Don't wait for the Republican Party to do anything - they are bought, sold, and terrified. And under the control of a corrupt mad man.
Trump and Putin are soul-mates, brothers under the skin.
Putin stole billions from his people and liquidated anyone who might seriously challenge his perpetual rule. Trump wants to do the same.
Putin is above the law in Russia. He subverted Russia's security directorates not only so they would do his bidding, but to evade surveillance. His crimes go unnoted and uninvestigated. Trump wants the same so, of course, he attacks the CIA.
Expect massive purges after he takes office, to bring that agency to heel.
Putin stole billions from his people and liquidated anyone who might seriously challenge his perpetual rule. Trump wants to do the same.
Putin is above the law in Russia. He subverted Russia's security directorates not only so they would do his bidding, but to evade surveillance. His crimes go unnoted and uninvestigated. Trump wants the same so, of course, he attacks the CIA.
Expect massive purges after he takes office, to bring that agency to heel.
16
What looks more worrying to me is that as much as president-elect rejects CIA's work - save then backtracking on it and tweeting being a huge fan - , his total unpredictability on very important matters concerning US's and by extension the West's security is an enormous liability; wouldn't so many abroad that are following his vagaries with great interest, sitting on the fence and waiting for his first faux pas, take advantage of such an important institution's dismantling? Here again a weird connection between the ones that are terrorizing the world and the ones that are allegedly claiming to defend it, surfaces speculatively. Trump is very much out on a limb; and conspiracy theories abound.
5
My sincere hope is that these critical USA employees will stay on. Perhaps, one of them will spy on Mr. Trump and his family! I presume that the dirt to be revealed will make both for great reading and the implosion of his presidency!
12
Vincent, I think that's why he hates and disparages them - the intelligence community is a direct threat, perhaps the only real threat, to him and his spoiled, arrogant family. He's a corrupt dictator who wants the same controls Putin and other corrupt dictators want.
5
America is turning French. Louis XV's famous statement (Apres moi, le deluge--after me the deluge) has been morphed by Trump into "Avec moi le deluge--with me the deluge). "Ruffles and feathers" and the Star Spangled Banner will be replaced at the Coronation by Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique, especially the section subtitled 'The March to the Gallows".
Any government agency seeking facts first like the CIA will be chopped down if it does not kiss the ring of the Anointed One. Cabinet nominees are selected to destroy and not defend departments which could stand the the way of His enrichment.
Any government agency seeking facts first like the CIA will be chopped down if it does not kiss the ring of the Anointed One. Cabinet nominees are selected to destroy and not defend departments which could stand the the way of His enrichment.
13
As for CIA employees voluntarily leaving their jobs over Trumps presidency and comments, that is totally on them. If you don't like your boss and decide to walk then go out and find another job just like the rest of American workers.
I think the biggest failure of the CIA is having access to the Russian hacking activity during the campaign and not coming forward. Comey of the FBI had nothing yet he comes forward with innuendo against Clinton and creates a huge cloud of doubt around her, enough to possibly sway the election.
The new administration is one that has no time or appreciation for facts or data. They already know everything. Many Americans work for these types of bosses or executive teams and yet they continue to clock in daily and slog through it to keep paying bills and feesing their families. I trust with the vast access to government resources CIA folks can do the same.
As far as finding replacement employees, just run some ads or infomercials on Fox or Celebrity Apprentice. I remember back in high school thinking how cool it would be if Vince Neil of Motley Crue or Jon Lovitz if SNL could somehow be involved in protecting America from more than the infringing forces of foreign entertainment.
I think the biggest failure of the CIA is having access to the Russian hacking activity during the campaign and not coming forward. Comey of the FBI had nothing yet he comes forward with innuendo against Clinton and creates a huge cloud of doubt around her, enough to possibly sway the election.
The new administration is one that has no time or appreciation for facts or data. They already know everything. Many Americans work for these types of bosses or executive teams and yet they continue to clock in daily and slog through it to keep paying bills and feesing their families. I trust with the vast access to government resources CIA folks can do the same.
As far as finding replacement employees, just run some ads or infomercials on Fox or Celebrity Apprentice. I remember back in high school thinking how cool it would be if Vince Neil of Motley Crue or Jon Lovitz if SNL could somehow be involved in protecting America from more than the infringing forces of foreign entertainment.
8
No, sorry, if able and experienced employees leave the CIA in droves, it is not on them. It will be the fault of the boss.
4
Donald Trump, the Russian puppet, Little Putin's narcissistic playmate is now President of the United States. If Congress doesn't act, it will be the first time in the history of this country that a Russian mole sits in the Oval Office.
At this rate, the Republic will be destroyed from within sooner than you think because a band of corrupt legislators refused to take action against the enemy now, deep in the inner sanctum of the United States government.
At this rate, the Republic will be destroyed from within sooner than you think because a band of corrupt legislators refused to take action against the enemy now, deep in the inner sanctum of the United States government.
6
What should the CIA do if it concludes in the future that Trump's actions are a threat to our country and national security? Can we trust the Republicans to listem to the CIA and institure Impeachment proceedings in such a case? I honestly believe that the majority of Republicans will put their desire for power and money over their duty to uphold and defend the Constitution. Senator McCain and like minded Senators are crucial to our future. McCain may be more influential and effective in his current position then if he had won the presidency. He has a chance to create a legacy that will be honored for centuries to come.
152
I just read the "Intelligence Report on Russian Hacking" and must say that it is a stinking pile. All we get are the same old conclusions without any direct or convincing circumstantial evidence. The report fails to show that any of the documents that Wikileaks released were false. In fact, it points out that no fraudulent or deceptive materials were disclosed. It also points out that it has no factual basis for its conclusions and asks the reader to trust its assessments even though they are admittedly based entirely on public statements made in Russia or on RT, a TV station that operates openly as a Russian organ despite the claptrap that appears on page 22 of the report. (None of the items that the report lists as evidence of RT's supposedly nefarious propaganda scheme are any different from those covered in the major media outlets in the US.)
How could the New York times publish this nonsense without highly critical comment? The sorry history of the CIA and other US intelligence agencies undermines their credibility and certainly fails to give a person confidence in its statements and "assessments."
Before I read this report, I tended to share the generally accepted opinion that Trump was being Trump and there had to be substantial proof of Russian interference in the election. What a shock to see that this accusation is nothing more than cheap propaganda. If it weren't so serious, it would be a joke.
How could the New York times publish this nonsense without highly critical comment? The sorry history of the CIA and other US intelligence agencies undermines their credibility and certainly fails to give a person confidence in its statements and "assessments."
Before I read this report, I tended to share the generally accepted opinion that Trump was being Trump and there had to be substantial proof of Russian interference in the election. What a shock to see that this accusation is nothing more than cheap propaganda. If it weren't so serious, it would be a joke.
2
OK Comrade. Whatever yousay.
2
For the first time in our nation's history, we need to contemplate the possibility that our most significant security breach is the POTUS himself.
After all, he knowingly took their help during the election, when most would've found such help as too risky if discovered, or simply an offense to American values. Trump is capable of taking enormous risks if it gives him an ultimate prize.
Not because he's evil, or a traitor, but because he truly believes it's useful to his ideas of how he's going to 'make deals' happen on the world stage. Being such a risk-taker, with such a limited ("If they can't pay, we'll have to review our treaty obligations") and narrow ("We deserve to be respected") sense of America's role in the world and it's place in history, is likely to be a liability as well as a vulnerability.
He reveals too much, as he's already learned the hard way, when he inadvertently mention he's Turkish business partner's name, Mehmet Ali Yalcindag, son-in-law of Dogan Holding owner Aydin Dogan, to President Erdogan during his congratulatory call to president-elect Trump. Within 24hrs, that man was arrested in Turkey, likely to be used as a pawn for the extradition of self-exiled imam Fetallah Gulen, living in Pennsylvania, to answer for manufactured charges of his erstwhile political rival. Does anyone believe Trump will respect jurisdictional boundaries if he's already claimed "the law is totally on my side, the president can't have a conflict of interest"?
After all, he knowingly took their help during the election, when most would've found such help as too risky if discovered, or simply an offense to American values. Trump is capable of taking enormous risks if it gives him an ultimate prize.
Not because he's evil, or a traitor, but because he truly believes it's useful to his ideas of how he's going to 'make deals' happen on the world stage. Being such a risk-taker, with such a limited ("If they can't pay, we'll have to review our treaty obligations") and narrow ("We deserve to be respected") sense of America's role in the world and it's place in history, is likely to be a liability as well as a vulnerability.
He reveals too much, as he's already learned the hard way, when he inadvertently mention he's Turkish business partner's name, Mehmet Ali Yalcindag, son-in-law of Dogan Holding owner Aydin Dogan, to President Erdogan during his congratulatory call to president-elect Trump. Within 24hrs, that man was arrested in Turkey, likely to be used as a pawn for the extradition of self-exiled imam Fetallah Gulen, living in Pennsylvania, to answer for manufactured charges of his erstwhile political rival. Does anyone believe Trump will respect jurisdictional boundaries if he's already claimed "the law is totally on my side, the president can't have a conflict of interest"?
13
Trump's attitude towards the intelligence community mirrors his distaste for all formal institutions of government. He dislikes them because they limit his freedom of action. The president, as head of the executive branch, presides over a complex system of agencies and departments, all staffed by career bureaucrats who owe loyalty both to the occupant of the Oval Office and to their institutional home.
Presidents who pursue policies deemed foolish or wrongheaded by these officials often face a kind of passive opposition that can frustrate the achievement of their goals. Trump, accustomed to the quick removal of any subordinate who dared to defy him, would not respond well to a system that protects the careers of such people.
He created a business empire in his own image, but now Trump enters a system whose creators sought to embed elected officials in a web of relationships that would restrain their thirst for power. Over the next four years, we will all have front row seats to watch Trump attempt to circumvent or ignore all the checks and balances incorporated into the Constitution by its framers.
The president elect's assault on the intelligence community simply represents the first salvo in what promises to be a vicious struggle. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
Presidents who pursue policies deemed foolish or wrongheaded by these officials often face a kind of passive opposition that can frustrate the achievement of their goals. Trump, accustomed to the quick removal of any subordinate who dared to defy him, would not respond well to a system that protects the careers of such people.
He created a business empire in his own image, but now Trump enters a system whose creators sought to embed elected officials in a web of relationships that would restrain their thirst for power. Over the next four years, we will all have front row seats to watch Trump attempt to circumvent or ignore all the checks and balances incorporated into the Constitution by its framers.
The president elect's assault on the intelligence community simply represents the first salvo in what promises to be a vicious struggle. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
121
William Casey comes to mind.
2
I think the entire intelligence fiasco calls to mind a person who would fit perfectly into the "Doctor Stangelove" script.
3
Once again Liberals political hacks within the CIA are trying to undermine a Republican administration. First, there was the Valerie Plame incident where the far left in the CIA attempted to undermine the Bush administration which the CIA itself had provided with fraudulent information.
Now we have James Clapper - who told Congress that the Muslim Brotherhood was NOT a religious organization and later misled Congress about the extent of domestic surveillance - telling us that Russia is a ten foot giant.
We are not at war with Russia. We are not confronted with Russian soldiers, warships or bombers. Hacking the e-mail of the idiot John Podesta is not an act of war assuming it was done by the Russians.
Morell is just another political hack who should be ignored.
Now we have James Clapper - who told Congress that the Muslim Brotherhood was NOT a religious organization and later misled Congress about the extent of domestic surveillance - telling us that Russia is a ten foot giant.
We are not at war with Russia. We are not confronted with Russian soldiers, warships or bombers. Hacking the e-mail of the idiot John Podesta is not an act of war assuming it was done by the Russians.
Morell is just another political hack who should be ignored.
4
"We are not confronted with Russian soldiers......................"
This is 2017.....not 1960. Get a clue.
This is 2017.....not 1960. Get a clue.
Where did you think this would end up? Reagan assaulted public trust in their government (can't have Americans liking socialism) and now large swaths distrust government, the media, the entire election process. You reap what you sow. This was always a con job for the wealthiest.
5
Many, many people are writing about it - trump's instability, trump's neurosis, trump's inflated ego, and trump's [fill in the personality problem here].
What is the Republican Congress (RC) feeling right now? Are they still believing that the candidate-elect is a stable personality? Are they feeling just as much trepidation as the nation is feeling and writing about? Are they reading what we are writing?
Looking across the legitimate magazines, news papers, and Internet news sites, there are an abundance of points of view citing incidences of questionable behavior that in any ordinary circumstances would disqualify a person from employment in government. Now mr. trump bully-tweets his threat to the media that he will attempt to use his granted powers to initiate a witch hunt against the them. And we are still going to give this man the keys to the codes?
What will be the last straw for the RC? What is trump going to have to do before the RC will stand-up and say NO? Are they waiting for January 21st, so they can make Mike Pence the president?
What is the Republican Congress (RC) feeling right now? Are they still believing that the candidate-elect is a stable personality? Are they feeling just as much trepidation as the nation is feeling and writing about? Are they reading what we are writing?
Looking across the legitimate magazines, news papers, and Internet news sites, there are an abundance of points of view citing incidences of questionable behavior that in any ordinary circumstances would disqualify a person from employment in government. Now mr. trump bully-tweets his threat to the media that he will attempt to use his granted powers to initiate a witch hunt against the them. And we are still going to give this man the keys to the codes?
What will be the last straw for the RC? What is trump going to have to do before the RC will stand-up and say NO? Are they waiting for January 21st, so they can make Mike Pence the president?
12
Making an enemy of the CIA and other intelligence agencies might not be such a great idea for Trump. I would not be surprised if some among those who have been denigrated by Trump in these agencies should find motivation to dig up and reveal damaging information on the President himself, to take him down politically or even trigger an impeachment
8
If people do their job and find impeachable offenses, let the truth set us free. If citizens of this great country can't do the right thing and make our new president accountable and accept the truth, shame on them. I never even imagined how bad things could go in the United States of America but that realization is dawning on me and others everyday. I hope we're not too late!
2
I believe that is our only hope.
We won't suffer if the professional press starts doing its job. On every assertion that is not a simple assertion of is opinion on a matter, the first words underneath the headline should be: "prove it, Mr. Trump."
8
Putin kills journalists.
Trump admires Putin.
Draw your won conclusion.
Trump admires Putin.
Draw your won conclusion.
7
The Russians used the same techniques that Trump himself did - false stories and social media. Of course, they changed the results of this election because we have seen that these techniques work.
13
One can only hope that President Twitter will be subject to removal under the provisions of Article 25 of the US Constitution shortly after the inauguration.
15
That the citizens of the US cannot trust the government is not especially new. But Trump, as usual for him, takes it to another level.
"The president-elect’s rhetoric will undermine the effectiveness of the C.I.A. in two key ways. First, expect a wave of resignations....." This seems to be consistent with Trump's plan to try to wield as much, if not complete power as possible. Intelligence [ facts] get in the way. Bush simply ignored facts, Trump attacks the messengers as well.
Its the "new" US government. Since he can do no wrong in the eyes of his supporters, he can do or say anything he wishes. And he will. They don't care.
Let's keep bearing in mind, for Trump, this"job" is about feeding his ego, with self enrichment as a happy by product. For the republican constituency that actually counts, the corporate interests, the next four years is a dream come true.
No matter how crazy or irrational he may appear, the ultimate end of Trump's decisions will be the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the 1%.
Trump will make Bush appear charitable by the time the ransacking is over.
Although most of the people who put him in the White House won't be participating in the economic feast, they can maintain the satisfaction that they got to spite everyone else who has so aggrieved them.
Such is the state of the USA today.
"The president-elect’s rhetoric will undermine the effectiveness of the C.I.A. in two key ways. First, expect a wave of resignations....." This seems to be consistent with Trump's plan to try to wield as much, if not complete power as possible. Intelligence [ facts] get in the way. Bush simply ignored facts, Trump attacks the messengers as well.
Its the "new" US government. Since he can do no wrong in the eyes of his supporters, he can do or say anything he wishes. And he will. They don't care.
Let's keep bearing in mind, for Trump, this"job" is about feeding his ego, with self enrichment as a happy by product. For the republican constituency that actually counts, the corporate interests, the next four years is a dream come true.
No matter how crazy or irrational he may appear, the ultimate end of Trump's decisions will be the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the 1%.
Trump will make Bush appear charitable by the time the ransacking is over.
Although most of the people who put him in the White House won't be participating in the economic feast, they can maintain the satisfaction that they got to spite everyone else who has so aggrieved them.
Such is the state of the USA today.
17
"Transfer of wealth from the middle class to the 1%." Well that wealth must be in the hands of Hillary and Bernie supporters because it sure is not in the hands of the middle class that supported Trump. That is the reason his middle class supporters rolled the dice and went against the status quo represented by HRC.
1
The problem is; that "Republican constituency" is going to get slammed by the very guy they elected. And they will never get an ounce of satisfaction because they'll be yelling from the bottom of the deeper well of pain and debt, and this time - there will be no one, absolutely no one up at ground level to toss them a rope...er, hand-out...
On contrary, as my next door neighbor ( who makes 300k) stated to me, he "voted for Trump because the white guys have been put upon for so long..."
Even he, like so many other Middle Class folks, who have been so put upon because less fortunates have received Something, is willing to cut his nose to spite his face (and everyone else.)
Even he, like so many other Middle Class folks, who have been so put upon because less fortunates have received Something, is willing to cut his nose to spite his face (and everyone else.)
2
You ask several questions that begin "How will President Trump know whether ..."
But as we all should know, Trumpootie doesn't care to know.
But as we all should know, Trumpootie doesn't care to know.
12
Are you starting to get the picture about Donald Trump yet???
He says he doesn't need the the National Security briefings.
He praises Putin while denigrating his own country's elected President.
He denies Russian hacker's involvement in influencing the presidential election -- even though it's beyond a shadow of a doubt.
His numerous business interests cause potential conflicts of interest, and verge on violating the Emoluents Clause.
And he publicly rants against the C.I.A. and other intelligence agencies, thereby putting the welfare of the entire country in serious jeopardy.
Anyone who thinks this is making America great again is seriously delusional.
But then again, so is Donald Trump.
He says he doesn't need the the National Security briefings.
He praises Putin while denigrating his own country's elected President.
He denies Russian hacker's involvement in influencing the presidential election -- even though it's beyond a shadow of a doubt.
His numerous business interests cause potential conflicts of interest, and verge on violating the Emoluents Clause.
And he publicly rants against the C.I.A. and other intelligence agencies, thereby putting the welfare of the entire country in serious jeopardy.
Anyone who thinks this is making America great again is seriously delusional.
But then again, so is Donald Trump.
35
In the words of Malcolm Nance, Trump's behavior has gone from "suspicious to sinister." The Congress needs to see Trump's tax return immediately. The nation needs an independent investigation of this entire Russian hacking caper and the Trump campaign's likely contact with the Russians during the campaign. I wonder who else was aware of it and if the fingerprints are legible? I hope Mike Morell tells his CIA friends to hang in there. This may all pass over sooner than later.
22
Agree with all your statements.
While I think we have to accept the results of this election, we have to do something to improve election ballot integrity. Some of what we learned in Michigan's partial recount (and our system is considered a good one), were alarming.
We should insist that by 2020 we have a system we can trust in every state in the union.
While I think we have to accept the results of this election, we have to do something to improve election ballot integrity. Some of what we learned in Michigan's partial recount (and our system is considered a good one), were alarming.
We should insist that by 2020 we have a system we can trust in every state in the union.
3
A US President who trusts the Russian government more than the US Intelligence is very concerning.
21
Mr. Trump has never mentioned the fact that the 1.6 trillion dollars paid in taxes during 2016, by the 80% of Americans making over 145,000.00, would pay a penny for the 2016 election.
Between the FBI Director Comey's stirring passion to finally punish a Clinton, and Vladimir Putin's spy games, the American election of 2016 has little value.
Nothing.
Nothing would send a message to Princess Putin, the bare chested, like doing the American election over.
America is not Byzantium or the Vatican.
The November 2016 election was NOT an act of God.
It was the devil's urine!
Between the FBI Director Comey's stirring passion to finally punish a Clinton, and Vladimir Putin's spy games, the American election of 2016 has little value.
Nothing.
Nothing would send a message to Princess Putin, the bare chested, like doing the American election over.
America is not Byzantium or the Vatican.
The November 2016 election was NOT an act of God.
It was the devil's urine!
14
What part of "no influence if voting totals" does the left and comments like this not understand? Think about it for a second. These agency heads despise all that Trump represents as he is a direct threat to their jobs. Do you really believe they would make the previous statement if they had any proof?
1
Seventeen intelligence agencies, and we are not any more smarter.
Time for Trump to "revolutionize" the agencies starting with the CIA -- integrate, weed out inefficiencies, depoliticize, and make the real agents feel the pride again.
That's not dangerous, it's overdue.
Time for Trump to "revolutionize" the agencies starting with the CIA -- integrate, weed out inefficiencies, depoliticize, and make the real agents feel the pride again.
That's not dangerous, it's overdue.
2
It's time to drain the Langley swamp.
2
I wonder if he (i.e. Trump) is actually a secret Russian agent, a mole. everything he says and does seem consistent with it.
3
Trump is about Trump. Period. He's arrogant and ignorant and while he thinks he's the smartest guy in the room, Putin is eating his lunch. There is little doubt that Putin has Trump in the palm of his hand, either via shady loans or blackmail. As a result the White House will be run by the Kremlin in spite of all the protestations by feckless and impotent GOP legislators and we all will be the victims. Trump and Putin would like nothing better than for the CIA, NSA and FBI to be thoroughly discredited. It's the height of irony that the party of Reagan has put an agent of the Kremlin in the White House.
15
Hey, CIA? How did that whole "WMD's in Iraq" work out for ya?
3
Pilgrim: your reference is a lie by implication. The "CIA" did not say Iraq had WMD in this century. Look at the three major issues: yellow cake, mobile biowarfare labs, and aluminum tubes. They were all challenged by CIA and other intelligence analysts in the US. The yellow cake nonsense was debunked by Ambassador Wilson, and Cheney, Rove et al outed Wilson's wife, an undercover CIA agent, in revenge. (One man, Libby, went to prison for his role in covering that up.) Mobile biowarfare? That report came from an asylum seeker in Germany. The Germans named him Curveball and told the CIA he was unreliable, but Bush and Co used his lies anyway. Experts in the Dept of Energy were silenced when they said the aluminum tubes were not suitable for centrifuge tubes and uranium enrichment. Ah, but the facts are dull old things, eh?
5
Ask Dick Cheney, the oil industry, Halliburton, the companies providing private military security, companies providing construction and infrastructure, the list of war profiteers is endless.
3
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-morell-apologizes-colin-powell-about...
Fact is, the CIA got the Iraqi WMDs wrong. See Morell's apology to Colin Powell above.
Fact is, the CIA got the Iraqi WMDs wrong. See Morell's apology to Colin Powell above.
1
Trump is owned by Putin.
6
Morell: "President-elect Trump’s public rejection of the C.I.A... is a danger to the nation."
Don't think Trump really cares what endangers the nation, and that is what should terrify all of us. He sees issues in terms of what is dangerous to his ego, not what endangers the nation. His perspective does not include the public/common good, unfortunately. What is good for him is paramount, trumping all other considerations. But should we, realistically, expect any different response from tweeting narcissist we elected as commander-in-chief?
Don't think Trump really cares what endangers the nation, and that is what should terrify all of us. He sees issues in terms of what is dangerous to his ego, not what endangers the nation. His perspective does not include the public/common good, unfortunately. What is good for him is paramount, trumping all other considerations. But should we, realistically, expect any different response from tweeting narcissist we elected as commander-in-chief?
7
Trump is as dangerous today as he was on the day he announced his candidacy in mid 2015 and as uncontrollable as he was the day his parents sent him off to be schooled at a military academy when he was teen and they gave up on his discipline. He is a bully, a narcissist, and a man out of touch with reality.
What made America think he would be any different as he is about to fill the office of the presidency already fighting with critical agencies as he has since he was a child bullying classmates? There's a difference this time, however, Donald Trump may well prove to be the highest security risk to America because of his erratic behavior, his use of Twitter, and his inability to connect with reality. And that is aside from the fact there is a sitting president and he is not Trump.
What made America think he would be any different as he is about to fill the office of the presidency already fighting with critical agencies as he has since he was a child bullying classmates? There's a difference this time, however, Donald Trump may well prove to be the highest security risk to America because of his erratic behavior, his use of Twitter, and his inability to connect with reality. And that is aside from the fact there is a sitting president and he is not Trump.
7
We have descended into our own Dark Ages.
11
SLBvt: the Dark Ages were named that because they left less information for us and for historians. The ravages of war and plague reduced the ranks of the scribes of that time--the monks. Today is not Dark, but the opposite, too much information, too much reporting, fact and fiction combined, entertainment and analysis blended.
3
Democracy and 240 years; ..."until death do we part"...
3
"How will he know whether the Islamic State or Al Qaeda is plotting another 9/11-style attack?" LOL. I can only assume that the CIA didn't know about 9/11 prior to it occurring. If I'm wrong, I would love to know why 9/11 wasn't prevented. That statement was a terrible reference to support your logic.
1
In August 2001, George Bush was cutting brush in Texas when he was given a report entitled, "Al Qaeda determined to attack the US"
He ignored it and continued to cut brush.
That's why 9/11 wasn't prevented.
Bush was President even though he lost the popular vote, the American voters wisely rejecting him in favor of a fact-obsessed wonk who would have paid more attention to intelligence briefings and warnings.
So now we have as President Elect a man (wisely) rejected by an even larger number of Americans, who states proudly that he will ignore intelligence. This does not look good.
He ignored it and continued to cut brush.
That's why 9/11 wasn't prevented.
Bush was President even though he lost the popular vote, the American voters wisely rejecting him in favor of a fact-obsessed wonk who would have paid more attention to intelligence briefings and warnings.
So now we have as President Elect a man (wisely) rejected by an even larger number of Americans, who states proudly that he will ignore intelligence. This does not look good.
6
What have we done? The Manchurian President-Elect, without the remorse. How does this end? I fear for our country.
7
be real here. the cia looks competent only when you compare it to the fbi.
1
The CIA needs scrutiny to become a respected adjunct of the Administration.
Everything is under the glare of public scrutiny nowadays, no free lunches, no accusations without proof'
The whole of the U.S. administration must abide by the constitution and the law or the decline of reputation will continue exponentially.
Accusations as serious and as total as the current ones, especially about the president elect, made without proof is tantamount to treason and are invalid unless they have a standard of proof that will stand up in court.
The whole world can see what's going on.
Trump is right for the sake of the reputation and credibility of the U.S.
Everything is under the glare of public scrutiny nowadays, no free lunches, no accusations without proof'
The whole of the U.S. administration must abide by the constitution and the law or the decline of reputation will continue exponentially.
Accusations as serious and as total as the current ones, especially about the president elect, made without proof is tantamount to treason and are invalid unless they have a standard of proof that will stand up in court.
The whole world can see what's going on.
Trump is right for the sake of the reputation and credibility of the U.S.
2
Trump has 500 shell companies that are still a secret.
How many of these shell owners with Trump are accused by our Government Intelligence agencies to be considered criminals or accused to be criminals by other governments? Tax return can hide real partners.
Most owners will be from the former Soviet Union.
There is no legal reason to form a shell!
Ask Congress members and Senators to demand an answer:
“who are Trump’s partners in these shells corporations?”
Regards,
William
How many of these shell owners with Trump are accused by our Government Intelligence agencies to be considered criminals or accused to be criminals by other governments? Tax return can hide real partners.
Most owners will be from the former Soviet Union.
There is no legal reason to form a shell!
Ask Congress members and Senators to demand an answer:
“who are Trump’s partners in these shells corporations?”
Regards,
William
3
Let's see...are we talking about the same CIA that routinely plants fake news stories, has a stable of network and national newspaper reporters that take orders and spin stories on behalf of their CIA masters? Oh, and is the same CIA that is quite effective in spying on ordinary law abiding US and European citizens, has mucked with .US elections, but utterly misses foreign military coups, invasions, terrorist attacks? I think the CIA, DHS, too, are a danger to this country and should be dismantled. There is absolutely NOTHING the CIA does *lawfully* that cannot be done better by the FBI.
1
Look we got this election wrong. I voted Clinton, but let's get past anger over votes and get this right now.
We owe it to our kids, the rest of the world, everyone, to now hold our leaders as a responsible check on this guys power. If that leads to impeachment, so be it.
We are no longer in the realm of politics, we are talking about stability in a world on edge, with several nuclear-armed players, and a president who is in an adversarial relationship with his own intelligence agencies.
Call your Congressman. Now. Let them know you are watching and holding them accountable. We can still take actions to make this right, or at least less devastating.
We owe it to our kids, the rest of the world, everyone, to now hold our leaders as a responsible check on this guys power. If that leads to impeachment, so be it.
We are no longer in the realm of politics, we are talking about stability in a world on edge, with several nuclear-armed players, and a president who is in an adversarial relationship with his own intelligence agencies.
Call your Congressman. Now. Let them know you are watching and holding them accountable. We can still take actions to make this right, or at least less devastating.
5
Was there a meeting?
Was it cordial and respectful?
Was the discussion frank open and honest?
Oh thank goodness.
I'm sure we are all gonna be fine.
Was it cordial and respectful?
Was the discussion frank open and honest?
Oh thank goodness.
I'm sure we are all gonna be fine.
3
“. . . repeatedly asking, often via Twitter, how we can trust the organization that incorrectly judged that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (criticism that, in my mind, is unfair for an agency that has changed dramatically in the last 15 years).”
Oh yes, that was when Dick Chaney, then VP under Junior, sat in the CIA offices day after day in an unheard-of/unprecedented move to force them to give Junior the answer he wanted. I sure hope they have changed in 15 years. . . . . . Oh wait, that was under the last Republican Administration. Same tree, same apples. Is this how the Republicans make us safer??! By twisting arms and pulling rugs out from under our own intelligence agencies?
Oh yes, that was when Dick Chaney, then VP under Junior, sat in the CIA offices day after day in an unheard-of/unprecedented move to force them to give Junior the answer he wanted. I sure hope they have changed in 15 years. . . . . . Oh wait, that was under the last Republican Administration. Same tree, same apples. Is this how the Republicans make us safer??! By twisting arms and pulling rugs out from under our own intelligence agencies?
7
Is mental illness an accepted reason for impeachment? There is more than enough evidence that Trump is certifiably mentally ill. Why is there nothing to be done about this? I have a faint hope that there is a clandestine plan afoot to remove him from power, in a coordinated, secure fashion. This is simply inconceivable, that one maniac should be able to end civilization while the whole world stands by, patiently helpless.
6
CIA's analysis directorate is bloated beyond belief; and a wave of resignations, reinforced by attrition, would be the best thing that happened to it. Reduce the CIA's budget by 25% for starters and distribute that amount to NSA and to some of the smaller, and far more experienced agencies, such as INR, whose dissents over the decades have been proven almost without exception to be correct.
Meantime, CIA needs to get over itself. CIA's history is replete with failures, dysfunction, fraud and waste. And the polygraph -- what a joke. Aldrich Ames, anyone?
Just read the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Tim Weiner, "Legacy of Ashes." I am no fan of Mr. Trump, but he has every right to question the findings of the CIA. He would be foolish not to.
Meantime, CIA needs to get over itself. CIA's history is replete with failures, dysfunction, fraud and waste. And the polygraph -- what a joke. Aldrich Ames, anyone?
Just read the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Tim Weiner, "Legacy of Ashes." I am no fan of Mr. Trump, but he has every right to question the findings of the CIA. He would be foolish not to.
5
Trump is ignoring and denigrating not just the CIA, regardless of the merits of your criticism of that agency. He is attacking the standing of our entire national security apparatus. His hubris is as frightening as it is breathtaking.
1
The issue is not whether or not the CIA is the intelligence agency we all want it to be. The issue is that all of the agencies involved had reached a conclusion and the president-elect refused to consider their assessment because he behaves like a two-year old. He won the election. How he won it -- whether by his own half-truths or voters believing the things said about Clinton should not matter. He is immune to truth, feeding only on his own ego and those who spoon feed it back to him. He's a disgrace at the moment. I hope that once he actually is in charge that he changes. And if he doesn't i wish his supporters would be as vocal about his need to change. But then again, why would they as long as he keeps saying things are great, even when they are not.
5
We the people are just beginning our suffering from what Trump is doing and is going to be destroying. He will alienate the people who voted for him and everyone that doesn't agree with what he says or believes. Which is most of the World. Please don't leave us, the strong, gifted, sane and intelligent people that you are need to unite and fight this lunatic and keep an eye on everything he does so we the people can impeach him.
4
Aren't you that ex-CIA guy that wrote another anti Trump article? We have had purges in the CIA before. Any person in a government police or intelligence agency is supposed to stay out of politics. It's easy to get arrogant and think that you have something to say about governing this country but your province is only the smallest slice of what this country is about.
2
How about the liberal presses in their constant attacks on white police officers? Do those attacks demoralize and undermine our law enforcement officers across the country. In many cases when these officers have been brought up before juries, composed of a fair number of minority members, they have been completely cleared. Yet from the outset it was obvious papers like the Times were one sided in their coverage. Trump is a fool. The Times should know better. Yet they have both engaged in making us a less safe by playing their biased and dangerous games.
1
All to protect his eggshell ego that is obviously more important than the country. Everything trump does convinces me more and more of an aspiration to royalty. From his horrible golden chairs to his preening self importance. He confuses his person with the nation. He imagines that he can tweet from his golden tower surrounded by his syncophantic enablers appearing now and then to his fawning subjects to spew his vitriol. Me thinks we are in for a Shakespearean drama that does not end well.
7
Oh please the CIA is as corrupt or more than all the rest of those organizations that we pay to protect us.
Having no one to answer to for 60 years, what do you expect?
Having no one to answer to for 60 years, what do you expect?
3
The tragic part is that Mr. Trump sounds like the reasonable person on this matter. Questioning the CIA or any intelligence agency is what US citizens and journalists should do instead of blindly taking their word. The NYT, if it was professional rather than partisan, would have reminded us that Mr. Clapper lied few times, under oath to Congress and the public.
The NYT should also remind its readers that this paper, sounded the war drums and unequivocally supported Bush's Iraq debacle, based on unquestioned evidence produced by our intelligence.
This is dangerous blind loyalty to the CIA, the same who was caught breaking the law and hacking Congressional computers to abstract investigation into its conduct.
This is a democracy, the CIA is an important agency that serves the public and deserve scrutiny by the public, competent journalists and honest politicians (if you can find any).
The NYT engage in the same practice it accuses Mr. Trump with, but on the other extreme. Mr. Trump refused to believe while this elite publication refuses to question.
The NYT should also remind its readers that this paper, sounded the war drums and unequivocally supported Bush's Iraq debacle, based on unquestioned evidence produced by our intelligence.
This is dangerous blind loyalty to the CIA, the same who was caught breaking the law and hacking Congressional computers to abstract investigation into its conduct.
This is a democracy, the CIA is an important agency that serves the public and deserve scrutiny by the public, competent journalists and honest politicians (if you can find any).
The NYT engage in the same practice it accuses Mr. Trump with, but on the other extreme. Mr. Trump refused to believe while this elite publication refuses to question.
2
There is another issue that should frighten Trump. The intelligence agencies can be very leaky. They can cause a lot of grief for a President that they don't like.
2
We can only hope.
Thank you, NYTimes, and Mike Morrell, for weighing in on this refusal by PE Trump to acknowledge the validity of the intelligence gained by the US, as well as the potential damage to our CIA, as Trump continues to flippantly disregard the facts which our agencies have revealed to us so far pertaining to recent events.
Many of us hoped to see you. Mr. Morell, in a position in the upcoming administration, which of course would have been Democratic. But we still derive an awful lot of benefit to see you lay out the facts as well as your insights here. Maybe, as some have said, the office will make the man, but we can also hope the men surrounding him will force better behavior to keep our country safe, and our enemies to behave with more honesty and respect, than they have shown during this hacking incident. Woe is me, if Trump does indeed continue to fault other agencies which are only exist for our protection.
At any rate, I , for one, hope to hear from you again, here, as well as in other venues.
Many of us hoped to see you. Mr. Morell, in a position in the upcoming administration, which of course would have been Democratic. But we still derive an awful lot of benefit to see you lay out the facts as well as your insights here. Maybe, as some have said, the office will make the man, but we can also hope the men surrounding him will force better behavior to keep our country safe, and our enemies to behave with more honesty and respect, than they have shown during this hacking incident. Woe is me, if Trump does indeed continue to fault other agencies which are only exist for our protection.
At any rate, I , for one, hope to hear from you again, here, as well as in other venues.
7
Trump isn't a Republican. Trump isn't a patriot. Trump is a snake oil salseman who prefers adoration over country and is now WAY OVER HIS HEAD
6
I would submit that the real danger to America, and the world, is the CIA and America's metastasizing intelligence and surveillance agencies.
The CIA, and all our intelligence services, have not stopped a single attack within the USA. The big result of all seeing surveillance of America's citizens yielded only a taxi driver who sent a few thousand dollars to a banned organization. That's all. That is what you have trade the 4th Amendment and your privacy for.
As for the CIA:
They were wrong on Iraq.
They were wrong on Afghanistan.
They were wrong about Vietnam.
They were wrong about the "Domino Theory".
They missed ISIS until it was too late.
They have interfered with, and created and trained death squads throughout Central and South America.
Questioning the Intelligence Agencies' competence is perfectly rational.
The CIA, and all our intelligence services, have not stopped a single attack within the USA. The big result of all seeing surveillance of America's citizens yielded only a taxi driver who sent a few thousand dollars to a banned organization. That's all. That is what you have trade the 4th Amendment and your privacy for.
As for the CIA:
They were wrong on Iraq.
They were wrong on Afghanistan.
They were wrong about Vietnam.
They were wrong about the "Domino Theory".
They missed ISIS until it was too late.
They have interfered with, and created and trained death squads throughout Central and South America.
Questioning the Intelligence Agencies' competence is perfectly rational.
1
Maybe if spies weren't so covert about what they were doing there would be less suspicion of them. It is an occupational hazard, I suppose.
Not a single shred of evidence except Russian agents were partying and bragging.
5
Mr. Morell lays out so clearly why the President-elect is a danger to the USA and the world. His blatant lying in the face of the Intelligence communities' report should be reason enough call a halt to this mad man. How can the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the US swear this liar, to defend the Constitution? How can we trust any oath he takes? Surely the Supreme Court has a way to stop this madness!
3
Trump seems to reject the findings of US intelligence agencies about Russia because the implication is that his electoral victory is somehow besmirched. He doesn't care about the threat to American cybersecurity. He is upset because the intelligence findings threaten his story of "greatest winning ever!" - his massively inflated ego. The man's megalomania knows no bounds. It will expands faster than the Universe does once that Inaugural ceremony is over. In a few days, anyone who dares to make him feel that he isn't being worshiped as a genius whose every opinion is infallible will be thrown out of his palace.
Look at that list of hot button-issues that Trump will have to deal with in a few weeks: the Iranian nuclear commitment; North Korea's development of an ICBM in 2017; Al Qaeda or ISIS plotting an extreme attack against the United States. How can Trump be prepared to deal with these rationally if he rejects all form of factual analysis? He rejects everything that does not comport with his own preconceived opinions - all of which are based on how great he is. Unprepared for the inevitable crisis, his immediate reaction will be to attack, and exponentially. We know this from his history.
The world will be lucky to survive these next few years without a nuclear war.
Look at that list of hot button-issues that Trump will have to deal with in a few weeks: the Iranian nuclear commitment; North Korea's development of an ICBM in 2017; Al Qaeda or ISIS plotting an extreme attack against the United States. How can Trump be prepared to deal with these rationally if he rejects all form of factual analysis? He rejects everything that does not comport with his own preconceived opinions - all of which are based on how great he is. Unprepared for the inevitable crisis, his immediate reaction will be to attack, and exponentially. We know this from his history.
The world will be lucky to survive these next few years without a nuclear war.
4
Doesn't anyone remember -- he ASKED Russia to hack into Clinton's emails.
Now he thinks it's preposterous?
The good news about this latest perfidiousness is that the press/public used to find Trump's multiple personalities amusing.
Now, the whole thing is more like a roller coaster ride we can't get off of.
Up, down, up, down, wheeeeee (not).
Four more years of thiis?
I'm already thoroughly sick to my stomach.
Now he thinks it's preposterous?
The good news about this latest perfidiousness is that the press/public used to find Trump's multiple personalities amusing.
Now, the whole thing is more like a roller coaster ride we can't get off of.
Up, down, up, down, wheeeeee (not).
Four more years of thiis?
I'm already thoroughly sick to my stomach.
6
Trump has 500 shell companies that are still a secret.
How many of these shell owners with Trump are accused by our Government Intelligence agencies to be considered criminals or accused to be criminals by other governments? Tax return can hide real partners.
Most owners will be from the former Soviet Union.
There is no legal reason to form a shell!
Ask Congress members and Senators to demand an answer:
“who are Trump’s partners in these shells corporations?”
Regards,
William
How many of these shell owners with Trump are accused by our Government Intelligence agencies to be considered criminals or accused to be criminals by other governments? Tax return can hide real partners.
Most owners will be from the former Soviet Union.
There is no legal reason to form a shell!
Ask Congress members and Senators to demand an answer:
“who are Trump’s partners in these shells corporations?”
Regards,
William
2
I am relieved to know that thin-skinned, reactionary Morrell no longer works for the government. What an infantile cry baby. My goodness.
2
Never could I have imaged the Clear and Present Danger facing the United States of America.
American Citizens with an IQ appreciate the incredible personal sacrifices our Silent Warriors have made to protect America.
I'm stunned at the lack of voice coming from those that claim to be patriotic Americans!
Anyone with a historical knowledge of post WW1 understands how the dominos can fall.
American Citizens with an IQ appreciate the incredible personal sacrifices our Silent Warriors have made to protect America.
I'm stunned at the lack of voice coming from those that claim to be patriotic Americans!
Anyone with a historical knowledge of post WW1 understands how the dominos can fall.
6
Trump is the most dangerous man. A know it all who knows nothing. He says with certainty that Russia didn't hack us, despite all the evidence. What is his basis? That the CIA made a mistake on weapons of mass destruction. In fact, the Bush administration thought they existed and slanted the intelligence to make their case. At least they had evidence - Trump has none. And someone who has had so many divorces and bankruptcies should be more self critical, less so if others.
7
Every single fight this monster picks with fact must be an article in his impeachment. No one holding the trust of our people may shrink from that necessity.
3
Hopefully the CIA will put the country first and continue their good work. They are not perfect but the work they do saves lives.
I was 16 when the Oklahoma bombing happened and 24 when 9/11 happened. I'm tired of terrorist attacks. I miss feeling safe in my own country.
We will survive Trump. Hopefully members of the Senate and House will do the work he isn't capable of doing to keep us safe.
I was 16 when the Oklahoma bombing happened and 24 when 9/11 happened. I'm tired of terrorist attacks. I miss feeling safe in my own country.
We will survive Trump. Hopefully members of the Senate and House will do the work he isn't capable of doing to keep us safe.
42
If CIA can’t even “maximally-demote” Jason Bourne after 14 years “off the grid”, how much respect do you suppose the rest of us owe them?
I’m reminded of my gem on the importance of the press to a free and healthy society – but, then, the manufacturers of prophylactics could be said to contribute as much. CIA’s problem, as with the press, is the single-minded focus on its own importance as the lynchpin to Life, the Universe and Everything.
Let’s cut the kindergarten-nonsense. The leadership of our intelligence services, become RATHER politicized over the past eight years, set out to attack and damage Trump. And failed. So now it’s all umbrage and befuddlement at how he could be questioning the effectiveness of their efforts. The same efforts that concluded by global consensus that Saddam was awash in WMD – even fifteen years ago.
Trump doesn’t need CIA to tell him that Iran is ignoring its “accord” commitments: he knows they are (IAEA is telling him), which is why it may have another three months of life before it gets drop-kicked into the Persian Gulf.
Humor at this self-involvement aside, we all know about that wall at Langley covered by nameless stars, and we all have immense respect and gratitude for CIA and the dedication of its members – as, I’m sure, does Trump as well. But he’s under political attack, and whether or not CIA accepts it they’re abetting those attacks. But soon it will be TRUMP’S CIA and not Obama’s, and we can finally get beyond all this.
I’m reminded of my gem on the importance of the press to a free and healthy society – but, then, the manufacturers of prophylactics could be said to contribute as much. CIA’s problem, as with the press, is the single-minded focus on its own importance as the lynchpin to Life, the Universe and Everything.
Let’s cut the kindergarten-nonsense. The leadership of our intelligence services, become RATHER politicized over the past eight years, set out to attack and damage Trump. And failed. So now it’s all umbrage and befuddlement at how he could be questioning the effectiveness of their efforts. The same efforts that concluded by global consensus that Saddam was awash in WMD – even fifteen years ago.
Trump doesn’t need CIA to tell him that Iran is ignoring its “accord” commitments: he knows they are (IAEA is telling him), which is why it may have another three months of life before it gets drop-kicked into the Persian Gulf.
Humor at this self-involvement aside, we all know about that wall at Langley covered by nameless stars, and we all have immense respect and gratitude for CIA and the dedication of its members – as, I’m sure, does Trump as well. But he’s under political attack, and whether or not CIA accepts it they’re abetting those attacks. But soon it will be TRUMP’S CIA and not Obama’s, and we can finally get beyond all this.
7
You have got to be kidding. As it is apparent that you voted for Trump, you have no ability to judge character and temperament. It is only a matter of time before the damage done by this narcissistic, impulsive, self- aggrandizing dangerous man will be too much even for the GOP-led Congress to take and he will be removed from office. Only then will we actually begin to get beyond all this and begin to repair the damage. I shudder and fear for the country and the world in the meantime.
3
Richard your comments used to be interesting when they contained some semblance of fact.
2
Once again, Richard, you cherry pick intelligence data to bolster your skewed interpretation of the facts. Like Trump, YOU are the one who has politicized facts to suit your ideology. That, dear contributor, is right out of the right-wing, GOP operating handbook.
And you're smug....ugh
And you're smug....ugh
2
Trump disparages the CIA but he was partying New Years Eve with a known mobster. You are known by the company you keep.
103
Donald Trump is a fool.
147
You are an optimist.
This incident has scared the living daylights out of me.
Now we know we have a president who will disparage the entire intelligence community, carry water for Russia, and issue tepid, bland, and ambiguous statements when there is simply no denying facts. He's also threatened to weaken branches of the government that won't simply mouth his lines.
Whatever the intelligence community said to him to get him to see the light we'll never know. What do they have on him? And what will happen once he's sworn in?
Now we know we have a president who will disparage the entire intelligence community, carry water for Russia, and issue tepid, bland, and ambiguous statements when there is simply no denying facts. He's also threatened to weaken branches of the government that won't simply mouth his lines.
Whatever the intelligence community said to him to get him to see the light we'll never know. What do they have on him? And what will happen once he's sworn in?
80
The CIA is moving against Trump, not Trump against them.
They move to defend their wars, and the influence of those who established their positions under W, whom Obama never expelled.
This is not dangerous for the threat to the CIA, it is dangerous for the threat of CIA and deep state against civilian control if voters elect someone who is not the choice of the insiders.
Trump is a very sorry champion, but the CIA is the villain here.
They move to defend their wars, and the influence of those who established their positions under W, whom Obama never expelled.
This is not dangerous for the threat to the CIA, it is dangerous for the threat of CIA and deep state against civilian control if voters elect someone who is not the choice of the insiders.
Trump is a very sorry champion, but the CIA is the villain here.
17
More than a few Americans would agree with that assessment, including a lot of real progressives who don't support Trump one iota.
I didn't vote for Trump but don't think he pulled off a covert coup d'état; if he's not allowed to become president when he won the electoral college, that will be a coup d'état in contempt of American voters in all 50 states.
Even though I don't support him, he won an election and I've got to live with him as president for at least four years.
The NYT seem almost rabid about the Russian angle to all this, it's a spectacular fall from objectivity by Americas best known newspaper, it's behaving even worse than Fox News on this. Boy, did they get their Hillary shoe-in poll wrong before the election, it's almost like they personally have it out for Trump as he embarrassed their poll by prevailing in more states than Hillary.
It's become hard to tell who's in more contempt of the average American citizen this election, Trump, Hillary, the NYT, Fox News, The FBI or the CIA, all who support and work for the 1%.
Our presidential elections have become Kubrickian and Hitchcockian and the American John Q. Voter is no where to be seen.
I didn't vote for Trump but don't think he pulled off a covert coup d'état; if he's not allowed to become president when he won the electoral college, that will be a coup d'état in contempt of American voters in all 50 states.
Even though I don't support him, he won an election and I've got to live with him as president for at least four years.
The NYT seem almost rabid about the Russian angle to all this, it's a spectacular fall from objectivity by Americas best known newspaper, it's behaving even worse than Fox News on this. Boy, did they get their Hillary shoe-in poll wrong before the election, it's almost like they personally have it out for Trump as he embarrassed their poll by prevailing in more states than Hillary.
It's become hard to tell who's in more contempt of the average American citizen this election, Trump, Hillary, the NYT, Fox News, The FBI or the CIA, all who support and work for the 1%.
Our presidential elections have become Kubrickian and Hitchcockian and the American John Q. Voter is no where to be seen.
2
And the factual basis for your assertions are what? At site after site discussing the dangers that the Russian cyber-aggression poses to the US and its intelligence services I see the same kinds of unsubstantiated rhetoric and false equivalence, leaving me to question not just the motives of the posters but their geographical origins. If you have any facts to support your view, that the first line of defense for the United States, its intelligence services, are in business to undermine detente with the peaceful interests of the Kleptocrat of Russia who seeks to reestablish the global hegemony of the Soviet Union, then I look forward to your evidence. Otherwise, Mr. Putin is a clear and present threat to the United States and should be treated as such until such time as he can establish that his accumulation of power is not a zero sum game contrary to US interests.
5
Look out, they might be coming for you
2
I won the election without any help from anyone. I became an unbelievably successful businessman without any help from anyone. One plus one equals three.
#realdonaldtrumpfakepresident
#realdonaldtrumpfakepresident
60
Advice for our intelligence agencies: follow Putin's way which is to stroke his ego in order for him to listen to you. Say things like "Sir, you are the greatest President ever!" or "Mr. President, what will we ever do without your strong leadership skills?".
12
Or, "Mr. President, please resign on January 21, 2017 for the good of the World"...
3
Or say, like Trump -- Sir, you are very, very correct!
Regarding the disparagement of CIA judgment regarding WMD...
>>>"....how we can trust the organization that incorrectly judged that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (criticism that, in my mind, is unfair for an agency that has changed dramatically in the last 15 years)."
Even that story has changed over the past 15 years. Early on, the CIA was NOT finding WMD evidence, but kept being redirected by Bush Admin (Cheney in particular) to go back and "find" it. George Tenet ultimately ended up taking the fall, not unsurprisingly, for the CIA mistake of reporting non-existent WMD.
Though the passage of time is softening our memories in the populace, that whole exercise was part of the pretext to go to injustified war, which has yet to see appropriate prosecutions.
>>>"....how we can trust the organization that incorrectly judged that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (criticism that, in my mind, is unfair for an agency that has changed dramatically in the last 15 years)."
Even that story has changed over the past 15 years. Early on, the CIA was NOT finding WMD evidence, but kept being redirected by Bush Admin (Cheney in particular) to go back and "find" it. George Tenet ultimately ended up taking the fall, not unsurprisingly, for the CIA mistake of reporting non-existent WMD.
Though the passage of time is softening our memories in the populace, that whole exercise was part of the pretext to go to injustified war, which has yet to see appropriate prosecutions.
156
Bush later gave Tenet a medal for that lie. But it was Cheney, now advising Trump, who deserved it. Tenet was just bag man, like Powell, both played like puppets.
1
Trump had to be make behave as head like all others. Get a public hearing with him and all his surrogates, including talking press person. Democrate write these all over country and let them say on TV shows. Media had been hurt a lot. Let press invite democrate to reply. On weekend show, main news show etc.
3
If loyal to the United States and the Constitution, first priority of the GOP dominated legislature should be filing the Articles of Impeachment even before Repealing Obama Care. GOP might save their souls and possibly their hides.
Koch's et al might want join in, lest their fortunes and heirs are incinerated by these friends of Trump.
Koch's et al might want join in, lest their fortunes and heirs are incinerated by these friends of Trump.
60
If you intend for Mr. Trump to get this message you better pare it down to the length of a short tweet. He apparently can not read or write more than a few sentences at a time. And include an exclamation mark!
176
True. The Talking Yam's limited vocabulary and abuse of the exclamation mark is itself a high crime - or a at least a misdemeanor.
1
Can this editorial be sent to Donald by millions of us please?
21
Yo Democrats and Liberals. Take out billboard adds throughout red-state America and tie this treasonous behavior's success to the Republican support in their district. Plant the seed and it will grow.
46
Someone really needs to take away this man's twitter...
28
But if you were a Russian puppet, wouldn't your first orders of business be to weaken, precisely, the intelligence agencies that might find out?
120
Since when did the CIA receive the "sanctimonious halo" award from the NYT? I guess we'll just turn a blind eye at their nefarious track record and sympathize with them now that Trump is President? NYT- What on earth are you guys thinking? The CIA has been the bane of your existence since 1947- and now you want to sing Kumbaya with them... ???
15
How is this man's way of reacting and responding to the country's professional intelligence services any different than sliming and trashing the commitment and service of every single member of the U.S. Armed Forces? These are folks, our fellow citizens, risking more than most to protect our welfare. And he talks about them with the same disdain as he does to his other "enemies."
Please, plain and simple: he bullies and pushes us and other governments of good will directly into harm's way. Let's call his behavior what it is: treason.
Please, plain and simple: he bullies and pushes us and other governments of good will directly into harm's way. Let's call his behavior what it is: treason.
125
That's an excellent point. A man with three retired generals in his close circle of advisers continues to disparage a service filled with military men and women, and civilians dedicating their lives to America's security. And his disparagements are so dismissive, late-night emissions at 140 characters, he's incapable of delivering an analysis deeper than a half-hour sitcom. But he casually demonizes tens of thousands of earnest, hard-working Americans at CIA, FBI, Homeland Security, et al. Not the groups I normally look to defend, and it's quite a statement that, against Trump, even the spooks look heroic, but it's clear, as wim says, Trump's behavior is genuinely treasonous.
2
Everything the 2nd place finisher does makes perfect sense if you read about narcissistic personality disorder and psychopaths. He is incapable, literally, of thinking about the anyone else's benefit, including the good of the country. For however long he is president, he will NEVER put the country's needs above his own, and his own biggest need is to have people fawning over him. Please, intel officers, STAY. PLEASE STAY. We need you. I'm a university professor, and I know it's demoralizing to have government leaders bash you and feel like you're doing all this usually without being able to see any benefit. I KNOW. But please, do it anyway.
72
Can Donald Trump lead? What are his economic and political
strategies going forward? His recent comments about Putin, the C.I.A.,
and Obamacare have only served to present a murky, obscure insight into
his thinking. Considering Roy Cohn, Joe McCarthy's legal brain, was
Trump's mentor, the public and both parties can expect more irrational
policies. Obviously Trump needs guidance from mature thinkers like
Henry Kissinger. The Presidency is not the "Apprentice" show.
strategies going forward? His recent comments about Putin, the C.I.A.,
and Obamacare have only served to present a murky, obscure insight into
his thinking. Considering Roy Cohn, Joe McCarthy's legal brain, was
Trump's mentor, the public and both parties can expect more irrational
policies. Obviously Trump needs guidance from mature thinkers like
Henry Kissinger. The Presidency is not the "Apprentice" show.
As soon as possible after January 20, the White House Physician should schedule a medical exam for Trump, and then declare him mentally unfit to carry out the duties of President.
74
Do not wait til January 20th. Mr. Trump needs an immediate mental exam.
The nation must not wait!
The nation must not wait!
2
Trump is sounding more and more like Captain Queeg. He doesn't trust our intelligence and security agencies and thinks they are out to undermine him.
Who will be watching Trump, holding him accountable? Not the media. At what point do our leaders on Congress and the government say enough and begin impeachment proceedings?
Although I oppose just about everything Mike Pence stands for, I don't thing he's a dangerous, unpredictable person like Trump.
Who will be watching Trump, holding him accountable? Not the media. At what point do our leaders on Congress and the government say enough and begin impeachment proceedings?
Although I oppose just about everything Mike Pence stands for, I don't thing he's a dangerous, unpredictable person like Trump.
38
Captain Queen was a damaged, but honorable man. Trump is a damaged and dishonorable man.
This is not a healthy skepticism of intelligence material. It is his unwillingness to acknowledge that Russia did in fact want to see him elected and one more factor that delegitimizes his presidency. I've never seen a 70 year old so insecure and child like. Like Biden suggested....grow up.
127
Okay? Even if Russia did want Trump to become President - why do you think that is? Clinton would have loved to go to war with Russia. Russia doesn't want a war with the US. Putin would get absolutely annihilated. Have you taken a second to think that maybe Clinton was bad news not only for the US, but for the rest of the world too?
1
When 70 year olds start acting so child-like, one must immediately think of and consider the possible onset of dementia.
It might be good for someone to diminish the power of our intelligence agencies with their huge off-book budgets, secret powers, private armies and air forces.
18
Trump is not messing with some bankers from a banana republic. This is the CIA, If I were him, I would employ a food tester.
51
That's Putins handbook
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
As I see it, the most dangerous aspect of Trump's questioning the CIA's competence is what it reflects about our next president's psychological hang ups and state of mind. It's mostly about his fragile ego and the lengths he will go to prove he's an undisputed winner. And that includes challenging the CIA's worthiness and thus their findings and to go a step further, embracing Putin, he's right; they are wrong. And it's done with zero thoughts about consequences. It seems as if in general people fail to realize how mindless this man really is.
Also, those with narcissistic tendencies only think about themselves. And nothing else so far has made it so clear that ego protection is on the front burner and everything else including dangers to our country on the back. Trump's ego is his Achilles Heal. It blinds him to reality and is at the root of much of his childish rhetoric and behavior. He simply likes those who like him (Putin) and diminishes those, like the CIA who he thinks is questioning his being an undisputed winner.
And the worst part is that Trump believes he has no choice but to seek revenge when anyone challenges him. He's said so. "I have no choice." Imagine that attitude with fingers that can reach nuclear weapons and otherwise impact the stability of the USA and the world.
Also, those with narcissistic tendencies only think about themselves. And nothing else so far has made it so clear that ego protection is on the front burner and everything else including dangers to our country on the back. Trump's ego is his Achilles Heal. It blinds him to reality and is at the root of much of his childish rhetoric and behavior. He simply likes those who like him (Putin) and diminishes those, like the CIA who he thinks is questioning his being an undisputed winner.
And the worst part is that Trump believes he has no choice but to seek revenge when anyone challenges him. He's said so. "I have no choice." Imagine that attitude with fingers that can reach nuclear weapons and otherwise impact the stability of the USA and the world.
434
don't forget his tweets about the ratings of his t.v. show. does he think we care?
Didn't Stanley Kubrick paint a picture like this 50+ years ago with his great Dr. Strangelove?
With the CIA and NYT backing Hillary and Fox News and the FBI backing Trump, where does the average American turn to for objective news and information?
Who are all these unelected American officials with shadowy information and their hands on our media and in our election accountable to?
I didn't vote for Trump or Hillary, as they both appear to be in American politics for dubious reasons, the main one being personal enrichment at the expense of working and middle class Americans. Foreigners played no role in my personal choice of who I voted for.
All this Washington and New York based hyperventilating and finger pointing is starting to become a distraction that's not nearly as funny as Kubrick's movie, as it appears to be more in the vein of Hitchcock's Gaslight.
With the CIA and NYT backing Hillary and Fox News and the FBI backing Trump, where does the average American turn to for objective news and information?
Who are all these unelected American officials with shadowy information and their hands on our media and in our election accountable to?
I didn't vote for Trump or Hillary, as they both appear to be in American politics for dubious reasons, the main one being personal enrichment at the expense of working and middle class Americans. Foreigners played no role in my personal choice of who I voted for.
All this Washington and New York based hyperventilating and finger pointing is starting to become a distraction that's not nearly as funny as Kubrick's movie, as it appears to be more in the vein of Hitchcock's Gaslight.
7
The intelligence community knows exactly who and what Trump is. They also know what to do and when to do it. Stay tuned. It should be interesting.
37
The president-elect isn't engaging in any "crusade." There is no "danger." He asks questions. He pushes back. He seeks facts, data and verification. In business, that's called basic management and administrative competence. Without it, there is danger indeed. As JFK said, the most threatening man in the White House to advisers, is the man who can think for himself (according to former national security adviser W.W. Rostow). The former Deputy is obviously engaging in mere partisan hyperbole (he strangely endorsed Clinton on these pages in a op-ed under his CIA credentials) and of course is defending the Agency which has been without Executive leadership (as opposed to capture) for quite some time--say 53 years or so?
7
I have to wonder if Trump wants to weaken our intelligence in order to allow this nation to be attacked in serious ways, as that would provide the perfect excuse to declare martial law and take measures to essentially make himself a dictator, under the guise of "security."
All his words and actions point to him being under the sway of Putin, and it serves Putin's purposes perfectly well to destroy our national security apparatus. As a former KGB agent what could be more fulfilling than to destroy the CIA.
All his words and actions point to him being under the sway of Putin, and it serves Putin's purposes perfectly well to destroy our national security apparatus. As a former KGB agent what could be more fulfilling than to destroy the CIA.
37
Trump, Flynn, Bannon,, McConnell make up their own
"intelligence".
"intelligence".
13
That alternate reality bubble can be popped, but only if a vigorous, unhindered and responsible "press" is willing and able to continue to investigate and report on the important events of the day.
2
I want to trust our president, believe he's (there's only been a "he") telling us the truth. I want to believe he's smart, collaborative, has smart, decent caring people around him. Of course, I want to believe he has a deep love and devotion for our nation, puts its welfare above all else and will never favor an adversary over the USA.
These beliefs should be self evident. In the past, they have been.
I regret that I don't harbor these beliefs for our present elect.
These beliefs should be self evident. In the past, they have been.
I regret that I don't harbor these beliefs for our present elect.
19
Looks like you're finally losing your control over the White House huh?
8
Next comes the purge. This takes us back to the McCarthy era, writers, politicians, blacklisted, lives ruined, families destroyed. But now we are even more where our country is being governed by a T who will revenge personally against everyone who works for our government. And then he turns his tweets against American companies, destroying the ability to our companies to compete in the world, not to mention making women die giving birth and not being able to get medical care. We are on the path to becoming a Facist nation or a Satellite of Russia. Where are the millennials? Guess we have just lost our country.
10
i have no idea what mr trump bases his opinions on, but morell, is a seriously flawed messenger to be extolling the "value" of the CIA. CIA's alleged work with "allies" like the kingdom of saudi arabia in direct connection with the 9/11 hijackers resulted in 3,000 dead. thumairy, bin attash, awlaki ring any bells? 3,000 dead thanks to CIA "ineptitude" (some believe worse) i note how morell fails to mention that he was the CIA briefer who allegedly prepped the infamous august 6th 2001 pdb to pres bush--the one about UBL being determined to strike inside the US. the one that got "ignored." why doesnt morell write an opinion piece on why the CIA didn't share all the information they and KSA got from the yemen switchboard starting back in 1998 and why it wasn't used to prevent 9/11? why doesnt he talk about the more than 10 times that CIA specifically and purposely withheld information from the FBI that would have prevented the USS Cole bombing and the 9/11 attacks? why doesnt he mention that he was allegedly the CIA staffer with pres bush on the morning of 9/11 when bush continued to read "my pet goat" while 3000 people burned alive. 9/11 and the USS Cole bombing not enough? how about iraq? the arab spring? benghazi? bin laden living open and freely in pakistan for years--allegedly across the street from a CIA safe house? torture? renditions? drones? yemen? syria? and not one shred of accountability in 15 years.
7
For Trump, the primary takeaway was the report showed the Russian actvities had no effect on the election. Except the report did not draw conclusions on this, and neither did Mr. Clapper. Trump hears what he wants to hear, which is whatever supports his warped vision of himself and the election.
41
If the report by the Intelligence Agencies did not draw any conclusions on whether Russia's behavior had any impact on the election outcome, why is this a critical issue, one that could damage USA/Russian relations?
Surely, after their diligent analysis, they would have informed us if an election impact occurred.
What exactly is the 'smoking gun' here? The release of emails of the DNC ? Were voters swayed much by that ? Much ado about little ??
Surely, after their diligent analysis, they would have informed us if an election impact occurred.
What exactly is the 'smoking gun' here? The release of emails of the DNC ? Were voters swayed much by that ? Much ado about little ??
1
This Presidential departure from common sense affects not just Americans but American allies. In Australia there's a military installation named Pine Gap. It's isolated, surrounded by high fences plastered with warning signs and patrolled day and night. Trust me, this is in harsh unforgiving wilderness in the middle of nowhere and it's purpose is shrouded in secrecy. Google Earth resolution is poor and sat dishes are masked in the images. Pine Gap is a joint US/Australia security facility which is ideally located to capture satellite data from geostationary and orbital passes over the antipodes. Pine Gap's importance in American global surveillence cannot be overstated...which makes Australia a primary target should there ever be hostilities.
Mr. Trump's off-hand dismissal of his intelligence agencies poses the question - if the US President is scathing about his own surveillance agencies' competence - why should Australians place themselves in harms way when Donald Trump knows better and doesn't need the input? Does Trump even know where Pine Gap is located? I'd wager the kid's college fund that Vladimir Putin does.
Mr. Trump's off-hand dismissal of his intelligence agencies poses the question - if the US President is scathing about his own surveillance agencies' competence - why should Australians place themselves in harms way when Donald Trump knows better and doesn't need the input? Does Trump even know where Pine Gap is located? I'd wager the kid's college fund that Vladimir Putin does.
42
I've been a patriot, a democrat and a liberal for more than 50 years. America's intelligence agencies consist of patriots who have devoted their lives and careers to defending America. I'll defend them against trump and the Russians with my life if necessary. Them I trust, him I don't.
53
Unfortunately, there are plenty of political hacks in the bureaucracy.
1
As usual, former Acting Director Morell has hit the nail on the head. Were one in 500 American politicians or Senior Executive Service members blessed with Mr. Morell's intelligence and love of country and had they performed their duties with even half the passion and devotion that he and his colleagues have, America would not be fast declining into a joke hardly worthy of a “Real Housewives” television show. Politicians of all stripes who should be inspiring and leading are instead pandering to the basest and narrowest self-serving interests of a frightened, unsure electorate who feel themselves rushing toward the abyss with no prospect of the brakes being applied or working if they are applied.
It’s unfortunate also that so many of the opposition to the President-elect do not present their arguments with Mr. Morell’s clear, rational, well-thought-out wisdom but, rather, seem inclined to speak in broad and loud insults indicative of purely emotional thought which will blow away like chaff in the wind rather than the solid objectivity which is critical.
“In a democracy, one gets the government that one deserves.” Hardly have truer words ever been spoken.
It’s unfortunate also that so many of the opposition to the President-elect do not present their arguments with Mr. Morell’s clear, rational, well-thought-out wisdom but, rather, seem inclined to speak in broad and loud insults indicative of purely emotional thought which will blow away like chaff in the wind rather than the solid objectivity which is critical.
“In a democracy, one gets the government that one deserves.” Hardly have truer words ever been spoken.
12
One of the first critical steps for a demagogue to assume total control of a government and nation is to discredit and malign longstanding, credible, and professional sources of intelligence and information asserting himself as the only true source of "facts." Donald J. Trump is the greatest threat to American democracy in the history of this nation and his cancerous, corroding actions will destroy this country.
189
So Trump and Republicans now love Putin and Assange. The Democrats now love the CIA and our intelligence agencies. We really are living is an upside down world.
A lot of Trump's attacks on the CIA comes from Flynn. Flynn was a genuine warrior lethally fighting jihadists for over a decade and headed up the very secretive and also greatly admired JSOC special forces command. He was made head of DIA under Obama. He was then fired as he went out of control. Flynn believes the CIA was out to get him and genuinely hates the CIA. He will do everything he can to dismantle the CIA.
A lot of Trump's attacks on the CIA comes from Flynn. Flynn was a genuine warrior lethally fighting jihadists for over a decade and headed up the very secretive and also greatly admired JSOC special forces command. He was made head of DIA under Obama. He was then fired as he went out of control. Flynn believes the CIA was out to get him and genuinely hates the CIA. He will do everything he can to dismantle the CIA.
21
I salute you, Mr. Morell, and all who work in the American intelligence community, for your work (and theirs) on our behalf. Mistakes or not, I have no doubt whatsoever that as an American citizen I have had a safer life in this country because of that community's dedication and expertise.
That being said...there are two problems with your opinion here:
1 - it assumes Trump wants to protect the USA (I don't believe he does)
2 - you ask "How will President Trump know whether the Iranians are living up to their commitment not to produce a nuclear weapon without good intelligence? How will he know how close North Korea is to mating a nuclear weapon to a long-range missile and detonating it over American soil? How will he know whether the Islamic State or Al Qaeda is plotting another 9/11-style attack?" -- Well, just like those who voted Trump into office, he doesn't care about "knowing" when "believing" is even better..."believing" has the advantage that you can always be right...and if there was ever a human being who seemed to have a psychological need to always feel right - whether supported by facts or not - it is Donald Trump.
Nevertheless...for what it's worth...you and all your colleagues have my vote - something Mr. Trump will never have.
That being said...there are two problems with your opinion here:
1 - it assumes Trump wants to protect the USA (I don't believe he does)
2 - you ask "How will President Trump know whether the Iranians are living up to their commitment not to produce a nuclear weapon without good intelligence? How will he know how close North Korea is to mating a nuclear weapon to a long-range missile and detonating it over American soil? How will he know whether the Islamic State or Al Qaeda is plotting another 9/11-style attack?" -- Well, just like those who voted Trump into office, he doesn't care about "knowing" when "believing" is even better..."believing" has the advantage that you can always be right...and if there was ever a human being who seemed to have a psychological need to always feel right - whether supported by facts or not - it is Donald Trump.
Nevertheless...for what it's worth...you and all your colleagues have my vote - something Mr. Trump will never have.
15
We will listen to Trump disparage all of the professionals that he deals with because they are all smarter and better prepared than he will ever be. Lets hope the impeachment is sooner than later- what is the Vegas line for that?
19
Trump only cares about Trump. He clearly loathes 'smart' people, because they represent a threat to his perceived superiority. So, he loathes all the Intelligence agencies. He says he doesn't need advisors, because he is smart. Right. Like he wouldn't need a doctor to do brain surgery on his sclerotic, dysfunctional brain either.
Go away Donald. The sooner, the better.
Go away Donald. The sooner, the better.
14
Having read the de-classified IR regarding Russian interference in our recent election I was struck by it comprehensive, albeit generalized indictment of Vladimir Putin and Russian intelligence.
What this abbreviated and redacted IR did NOT disclose to the public is now of keen interest. Is it jumping the gun to speculate that the Trump campaign had a direct information pipeline to Putin and his operatives? Perhaps Trump's canine devotion to all things Putin was a subtle wink to keep the pipeline open? Curious to me that the "Jail Hillary" rhetoric appeared in Russia at roughly the same time Trump parroted the same exact message at his rallies. Coincidence? Or not?
What this abbreviated and redacted IR did NOT disclose to the public is now of keen interest. Is it jumping the gun to speculate that the Trump campaign had a direct information pipeline to Putin and his operatives? Perhaps Trump's canine devotion to all things Putin was a subtle wink to keep the pipeline open? Curious to me that the "Jail Hillary" rhetoric appeared in Russia at roughly the same time Trump parroted the same exact message at his rallies. Coincidence? Or not?
12
How many warnings do the American people need before they realize the great danger of the Trump presidency? This narcissistic and reckless buffoon is a very real and impending threat to our nation's security. An overwhelming number of national security experts have warned about him with Mr. Morell adding another prescient voice. There is great danger on the American horizon with a "President Trump!"
29
Donald Trump did untold damage to our country during the campaign. His destructiveness continues on a daily basis. Imagine what he could become with the power of the presidency and the Republicans controlling Congress.
Yes, he is very dangerous to our national security. Hillary Clinton warned us how dangerous he is, and she reiterated it again and again. LOTS of people have been telling us for many months how dangerous he is, including how his awful criticisms and flip tweets will have far-reaching negative consequences. To top off the very real danger of Donald Trump, we have a dysfunctional Congress. Nothing about Trump, his team, or Congress gives a reason to feel optimistic.
So now what? He will take office anyway? Who would prefer that Donald Trump not become president on Jan. 20 by any means possible?
Yes, he is very dangerous to our national security. Hillary Clinton warned us how dangerous he is, and she reiterated it again and again. LOTS of people have been telling us for many months how dangerous he is, including how his awful criticisms and flip tweets will have far-reaching negative consequences. To top off the very real danger of Donald Trump, we have a dysfunctional Congress. Nothing about Trump, his team, or Congress gives a reason to feel optimistic.
So now what? He will take office anyway? Who would prefer that Donald Trump not become president on Jan. 20 by any means possible?
24
Trump's cavalier disregard for the importance of our intelligence community and his further disparagement of the patriots that perform this vital role for all of us brings into question his fundamental patriotism and loyalty to this country he will shortly lead. I have disagreed vehemently with policy positions of several Presidents during my long life, but I have always slept well at night, knowing that whoever occupied the office had all Americans' fundamental interest in keeping us safe and secure as a top priority. I honestly do not feel safe with Trump as President and I question his maturity, his analytical ability, his assessment of what hangs in the balance if critical decisions are wrongly made and, yes, I question whether he is loyal to the United States of America. I feel his interests are purely self-centered and not in the least concerned with the safety and security of the citizens of this country.
Americans have a history of largely doing what is right to change course when our leadership has failed us. We have checks and balances, legal remedies and other means at our disposal to rid ourselves of a treasonous despot. Let us hope we do not wait too long to embark on that task.
Americans have a history of largely doing what is right to change course when our leadership has failed us. We have checks and balances, legal remedies and other means at our disposal to rid ourselves of a treasonous despot. Let us hope we do not wait too long to embark on that task.
44
Trump is undermining the US intelligence community because he feels threatened by the facts they're uncovering. He's even talking about shaking up (read disrupting) the intelligence operation, apparently motivated for a desire to be getting different facts.
In short, a particularly extreme form of shoot the messenger.
These are the people working tirelessly to stop the smuggling and detonation of nuclear weapons in the US. Fear has thus officially overtaken loathing as the priority emotional reaction to the words "President Trump."
In short, a particularly extreme form of shoot the messenger.
These are the people working tirelessly to stop the smuggling and detonation of nuclear weapons in the US. Fear has thus officially overtaken loathing as the priority emotional reaction to the words "President Trump."
16
Trump, having questioned both the product and the integrity of our security agencies--nominally the fact-based backstop of verifiable intelligence beneath all the public reporting and speculation of events occurring around the world, not only sows doubt in the eyes of the public as well as saps the purpose of agency employees, it creates a question about Trump himself.
By giving voice to his personal doubts about these agencies and their product to the point of disparagement, one can legitimately ask how such an attitude is any different from an enemy of the state with animosity toward such agencies? Can his briefers really be sure that their closely-held product will remain closely-held if his skepticism has reached a point of disdain?
How do we really know that Trump isn't right now picking up the phone to tell Putin what the CIA and NSA have on him in order to advance interests known only to Trump? In his statements and his personnel picks, he's given every indication that he can be bought for the right price, whether the currency is loyalty or money. The Russians have enabled Trump to remain relevant to the American public for years by loaning him enough money to keep his businesses afloat and avoid the ignominy of personal bankruptcy. That's the kind of loyalty Trump values above all else.
For the first time in our nation's history, we need to contemplate the possibility that our most significant security breach is the POTUS himself.
By giving voice to his personal doubts about these agencies and their product to the point of disparagement, one can legitimately ask how such an attitude is any different from an enemy of the state with animosity toward such agencies? Can his briefers really be sure that their closely-held product will remain closely-held if his skepticism has reached a point of disdain?
How do we really know that Trump isn't right now picking up the phone to tell Putin what the CIA and NSA have on him in order to advance interests known only to Trump? In his statements and his personnel picks, he's given every indication that he can be bought for the right price, whether the currency is loyalty or money. The Russians have enabled Trump to remain relevant to the American public for years by loaning him enough money to keep his businesses afloat and avoid the ignominy of personal bankruptcy. That's the kind of loyalty Trump values above all else.
For the first time in our nation's history, we need to contemplate the possibility that our most significant security breach is the POTUS himself.
71
Trump isn't even president yet and he's made a huge mess here from which he likely can't recover. His stupid, insulting, dismissive behavior hurts our intelligence agencies, it puts our national security at risk, it discourages intelligence officials who work hard and often risk their lives, it bewilders and frightens our allies, it emboldens our enemies.
Is Trump a jerk and an idiot or what?
Many believe the likely explanation is Trump's financial interests in Russia. He refused to release his tax returns. There was no good explanation for this - not that he ever offered one. He believes his financial dealings are none of our business. THAT disqualifies him from being president. But in the current poisonous political climate, so what....
Who is going to hold Trump accountable?
What constitutional options are in place to prevent a man who is this irresponsible and destructive from becoming president? Should he be impeached the day after his inauguration? How long is this nightmare going to go on?
It's a shame we can't trust Congress to investigate this and be prepared to take action. The new GOP Congress is a cesspool willing to let Trump do literally anything he wants.
This is the destruction of the United States of America from within.
Shame.
Is Trump a jerk and an idiot or what?
Many believe the likely explanation is Trump's financial interests in Russia. He refused to release his tax returns. There was no good explanation for this - not that he ever offered one. He believes his financial dealings are none of our business. THAT disqualifies him from being president. But in the current poisonous political climate, so what....
Who is going to hold Trump accountable?
What constitutional options are in place to prevent a man who is this irresponsible and destructive from becoming president? Should he be impeached the day after his inauguration? How long is this nightmare going to go on?
It's a shame we can't trust Congress to investigate this and be prepared to take action. The new GOP Congress is a cesspool willing to let Trump do literally anything he wants.
This is the destruction of the United States of America from within.
Shame.
77
Yes - release the tax returns. Lots of business in Russia I bet. My cousin's congressman , Charles Taylor, a good old country boy from western North Carolina made a fortune in Russia around the time of the fall of the Soviet Union.
1
Trump + nuclear weapons = we are all doomed.
31
Sounds like a valid reason to push for global disarmament, he's not the first sketchy personality to take the reigns of power in any country with nukes, including our own.
It's time to give sanity and peace a chance don't you think?
It's time to give sanity and peace a chance don't you think?
1
There is a fable that as Rome burned Nero played the fiddle. Perhaps that is fiction as has never been proven.
However, when one becomes aware of the political scene, and comedic drama being staged by Mr. Trump and his mouthpieces, it is becoming apparent that there is a possibility Washington may be burning while Trump is tooting his own ego and self-aggrandizement horn while belittling the agencies empowered to keep him informed.
Hopefully there will be an adult in the room to bring some sanity to a administration that is more dark comedy than one to work for the good of the country and people.
However, when one becomes aware of the political scene, and comedic drama being staged by Mr. Trump and his mouthpieces, it is becoming apparent that there is a possibility Washington may be burning while Trump is tooting his own ego and self-aggrandizement horn while belittling the agencies empowered to keep him informed.
Hopefully there will be an adult in the room to bring some sanity to a administration that is more dark comedy than one to work for the good of the country and people.
10
There is better approach to handling Trump, better than saying we need the CIA, or the CIA is great, or that the CIA has corrected the defects behind its WMD fiasco, etc etc. The better way is to ask what the SUBSTANCE of Trump's attack is.
It seems his attack has no substance. He doesn't confront the evidence and pick holes in it. Instead he throws slurs at the CIA that are not in any way a confrontation with the facts. His argument is simply that the CIA has made some mistakes, and so they've "probably" done it again.
It appears that Trump is so used to hype and spin that he thinks all arguments are simply over appearance, never about reality. If that is so, and so far it is, Trump's tweets should be ignored as grandstanding, the rants of a disappointed child.
Congress is aware that policies affect voters and votes. If decisions are based upon Trump's ability to argue up is down, I hope they find voters without food on the table and without medical treatment can be distracted by the show. Apparently, that's all we can expect in tough times.
It seems his attack has no substance. He doesn't confront the evidence and pick holes in it. Instead he throws slurs at the CIA that are not in any way a confrontation with the facts. His argument is simply that the CIA has made some mistakes, and so they've "probably" done it again.
It appears that Trump is so used to hype and spin that he thinks all arguments are simply over appearance, never about reality. If that is so, and so far it is, Trump's tweets should be ignored as grandstanding, the rants of a disappointed child.
Congress is aware that policies affect voters and votes. If decisions are based upon Trump's ability to argue up is down, I hope they find voters without food on the table and without medical treatment can be distracted by the show. Apparently, that's all we can expect in tough times.
15
Facts from the CIA? Trump will continue to get his facts from watching TV and reading the gossip columns in the dailies. Oh, and from his very good brain.
42
Right on. Trump is an accident waiting to happen. He certainly seems paranoid. Schizophrenic? Whatever it is it proves that he is not capable of critical thinking which is a sine qua non to be president. Anyone who believes WikiLeaks over the CIA is not wrapped too tight. He's a liability and needs to be impeached before he wreaks havoc on us and the rest of the world. Just because he's a so called billionaire doesn't mean he's intellectually qualified to be president. His tweets show it.
10
This guy is so vapid he questions why a famous chef school is busting his chops on Russia.
8
According to a recent book on the CIA reviewed by James Risen in this paper titled "Debriefing the President," Trump's take on the CIA has it exactly backwards (no surprise there). But Morrell's defense of the outfit as superbly professional interested only in "the facts" is also laughable.
According to the review, the book pretty convincingly demonstrates that the "agency ... is so eager to please the president — any president — that it will almost always give him the answers he wants to hear."
In other words, despite Morell's concern that "our country will suffer" because of Trump's denigration of the agency, the country is likely to suffer no matter what.
Like the rest of humanity, CIA agents are flawed and the bureaucracy they built is too. The real problem is the power that is granted to it and, frankly to all the rest of our war/spook/prison bureaucracies.
A little humility might go a long way in preventing more wars, more terror, more heartache and more hatred.
Something tells me that rather than more humility, the next administration is going to go in exactly the opposite direction.
Hang on to your seats.
According to the review, the book pretty convincingly demonstrates that the "agency ... is so eager to please the president — any president — that it will almost always give him the answers he wants to hear."
In other words, despite Morell's concern that "our country will suffer" because of Trump's denigration of the agency, the country is likely to suffer no matter what.
Like the rest of humanity, CIA agents are flawed and the bureaucracy they built is too. The real problem is the power that is granted to it and, frankly to all the rest of our war/spook/prison bureaucracies.
A little humility might go a long way in preventing more wars, more terror, more heartache and more hatred.
Something tells me that rather than more humility, the next administration is going to go in exactly the opposite direction.
Hang on to your seats.
7
What does Michael Morell think about CIA agents who selectively leak information to the Washington Post and New York Times for political purposes in order to be used against the President elect? I am sure he thinks that's OK. What a hypocrite.
6
And what about Cheney and Scooter Libby ( you remember he was convicted and later pardoned by Bush). They leaked the name of an active undercover agent. HYPOCRITE!
2
Wrong. The name of that "secret agent" was already well known throughout Washington, DC. The whole investigation was an attempt to bring down the Bush administration. After months of investigation, all the special prosecutor could come up with was one indictment based on a faulty memory. Libby had his sentence commuted He was not pardoned.
3
If he were a plant to destroy the US from within he would do almost exactly what he's doing...
7
Meaningless words from the guy who ran the Benghazi coverup for Hillary Clinton and,of course, was out front endorsing her in the months leading up to the election.
3
Trump doesn't care about threats from Iran, North Korea, ISIS, or Al Qaeda. His only concern is that the reports confirming Russia interfered in the election on his behalf cast doubt on the legitimacy of his "victory."
America's new president is willing to put the country and the world at risk to protect his own fragile ego. God help us.
America's new president is willing to put the country and the world at risk to protect his own fragile ego. God help us.
7
It's going to be interesting to watch the FSB and CIA maneuvering to control Trump. Neither is an attractive outcome, but I imagine some interesting "intelligence" will be leaked.
6
Trump won't be the first president to attempt to shrink the bloat in the intelligence agencies. That's not anti-American; its good management. The truth will out about whether Putin sought to influence the US presidential election. He had good reason to detest Clinton, so the question arises whether Putin was pro-Trump or anti-Clinton. Either way, the best step for Trump would be to administer a body slam to Putin, to prove who is the tall dog. That would come in handy in future negotiations.
1
And Trump is familiar with body slamming being an occasional heel at WWE events, he comes to the Presidency with a good resume.
3
I've got to agree, Trump is a clear and present danger to America. Also this article has inadvertently made something else clear: we've never seen an extreme close-up of Trump before. He looks really awful. I'm not sure he'll survive the next four years of a very grueling, exhausting job. If we're lucky.
23
This is unbelievable.
More dangerous propaganda from Michael Morell, the Goebbels-esque senior counselor at Beacon Global Strategies.
A CIA hardliner who is on record defending fixing evidence in the 2012 Benghazi attack, defending persecution and incarceration of whistle-blowers, defending lying to Congress, defending illegal drone murders, defending sanctions that kill half a million children, defending torture, defending targeted assassinations, defending detention without trial...
From the agency that has overthrown regimes around the world with long term disastrous results and recently committed war crimes (torture).
The same agency that told us Saddam had WMDs, Gaddafi ordered his soldiers to rape, that Assad used poison gas, didn't know the USSR was about to collapse, JFK was shot by a lone gunman, the Gulf of Tonkin happened, didn't know the Japanese were about to attack Hawaii, the list of their failures goes on and on and on.
They are their own worst enemy, not Trump.
Mr.Morell is trying to protect 70 years of incompetence of the American intelligence INDUSTRY and it is quite dismaying that the NYTimes keeps giving him space to spew his propaganda.
I sincerely hope Americans won't fall for it.
More dangerous propaganda from Michael Morell, the Goebbels-esque senior counselor at Beacon Global Strategies.
A CIA hardliner who is on record defending fixing evidence in the 2012 Benghazi attack, defending persecution and incarceration of whistle-blowers, defending lying to Congress, defending illegal drone murders, defending sanctions that kill half a million children, defending torture, defending targeted assassinations, defending detention without trial...
From the agency that has overthrown regimes around the world with long term disastrous results and recently committed war crimes (torture).
The same agency that told us Saddam had WMDs, Gaddafi ordered his soldiers to rape, that Assad used poison gas, didn't know the USSR was about to collapse, JFK was shot by a lone gunman, the Gulf of Tonkin happened, didn't know the Japanese were about to attack Hawaii, the list of their failures goes on and on and on.
They are their own worst enemy, not Trump.
Mr.Morell is trying to protect 70 years of incompetence of the American intelligence INDUSTRY and it is quite dismaying that the NYTimes keeps giving him space to spew his propaganda.
I sincerely hope Americans won't fall for it.
5
Actually, the CIA didn't exist when Japan attacked Hawaii, the OSS, the pre-cursor to the CIA, was only formed in WWII following the lead of the British secret service who'd already been at war for a couple years.
8
@EC Speke
Thanks for the correction.
You are right, of course. The Navy intelligence became part of the OSS under FDR, consolidating the different intelligence agencies (Navy, Army, Air Force) at the time, for propaganda, subversion, and post-war planning.
The point about the incompetence still stands.
Thanks for the correction.
You are right, of course. The Navy intelligence became part of the OSS under FDR, consolidating the different intelligence agencies (Navy, Army, Air Force) at the time, for propaganda, subversion, and post-war planning.
The point about the incompetence still stands.
2
It is truly disheartening, and more than a little scary, to read the daily dose of intelligent people who are giving the public fair and ample warning of Trump's serious inadequacies and debilities for handling the job to which he was elected. More than that, however, is these are many of the same voices who tried to warn the American electorate before the election, and whose warnings were utterly disregarded by so many. I have no good reason to believe that same swath of the public will become any wiser to him as time goes on.
18
A government officer who publicly proclaims doubts of the accuracy of advice from our military and civilian spy agencies before seeing the agencies' evidence commits treason. A person who is about to become a government officer merely gives aid and comfort to our enemies. Trump is telling us he considers Putin's advice superior. Let's keep an eye on this guy.
10
Driving by Menasha High School in Menasha, Wisconsin (Near Appleton, Wisconsin, childhood home of Harry Houdini and infamous Senator Joe McCarthy) many years ago, I saw a sign posted on one of these pull trailers with push on letters. The sign said "The wise man learns more from the fool then vice versa." So maybe future Presidents and all of us Americans will learn some good lessons from our unfortunate encounter with Donald Trump - that is, if our flag stills waves o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
2
trump has proposed that he believes he needs to ‘revamp’ the intelligence community offices, as if knowledgeable, seasoned professionals are a dime a dozen. Knowledgeable seasoned professionals are predominantly boomer generation employees. The retirement wave mentioned in the article is most certain to happen, first as a factor of time and now as a factor of a lack of confidence in the president himself – who wants to work for a boss that stabs you in the back all the time? This loss is at a time when our nation can least afford to be vulnerable. We can least afford to have the ranks responsible for our safety be predominantly staffed by a generation of young specialists who do not have the wisdom that comes with experience and time (age) sitting near the buttons of war, ready to take orders from the commander in chief. Especially when the commander in chief’s cognitive skills and intellectual prowess are in significant question and proved to be easily provoked on a social network platform. trump is not just a threat to the US, he's a threat to all nations seeking peace.
3
GOP - Guardians of Putin
4
Mass resignations at the CIA?
Then, Mr. Morell, so be it. Will the US be any safer with these men and women remaining in harm's way, with a Commander in Chief who disbelieves and insults them at every opportunity, than if they quietly wish their contacts well and quietly return home?
Trump insists on being a one-man band. Politely decline to rejoin his orchestra when he reverses himself. Let him succeed or fail on his terms.
Then, Mr. Morell, so be it. Will the US be any safer with these men and women remaining in harm's way, with a Commander in Chief who disbelieves and insults them at every opportunity, than if they quietly wish their contacts well and quietly return home?
Trump insists on being a one-man band. Politely decline to rejoin his orchestra when he reverses himself. Let him succeed or fail on his terms.
3
Very good points, Mr. Morell. My crystal ball tells me that Donald Trump's only concern here is the legitimacy of his election. He will continue to reject any and all facts that suggest the election was unfair.
Everything Mr. Trump knows about our intelligence services he learned from the 1960s tv show, Get Smart. This attack is being orchestrated by Michael Flynn, Mr. Trump's pick for National Security Advisor. In 2014, Mr. Flynn was fired as the head of military intelligence by James Clapper, the current Director of National Intelligence. Mr. Flynn appears to have a vendetta against our intelligence community. Knowing that, will intelligence officers begin withholding sensitive information from the White House for fear that their sources will be intentionally compromised?
I'd add that Mr. Trump's
In addition to adjusting to undermining effectiveness, Mr. Trump's
I'd add: the employees of the CIA and our other intelligence services can also expect that
the effectiveness of our intelligence services won't be
Everything Mr. Trump knows about our intelligence services he learned from the 1960s tv show, Get Smart. This attack is being orchestrated by Michael Flynn, Mr. Trump's pick for National Security Advisor. In 2014, Mr. Flynn was fired as the head of military intelligence by James Clapper, the current Director of National Intelligence. Mr. Flynn appears to have a vendetta against our intelligence community. Knowing that, will intelligence officers begin withholding sensitive information from the White House for fear that their sources will be intentionally compromised?
I'd add that Mr. Trump's
In addition to adjusting to undermining effectiveness, Mr. Trump's
I'd add: the employees of the CIA and our other intelligence services can also expect that
the effectiveness of our intelligence services won't be
1
Very good points, Mr. Morell. My crystal ball tells me that Donald Trump's only concern here is the legitimacy of his election. He will continue to reject any and all facts that suggest the election was unfair.
Everything Mr. Trump knows about our intelligence services he learned from the 1960s tv show, Get Smart. This attack is being orchestrated by Michael Flynn, Mr. Trump's pick for National Security Advisor. In 2014, Mr. Flynn was fired as the head of military intelligence by James Clapper, the current Director of National Intelligence. Mr. Flynn appears to have a vendetta against our intelligence community. Knowing that, will intelligence officers begin withholding sensitive information from the White House for fear that their sources will be intentionally compromised?
Everything Mr. Trump knows about our intelligence services he learned from the 1960s tv show, Get Smart. This attack is being orchestrated by Michael Flynn, Mr. Trump's pick for National Security Advisor. In 2014, Mr. Flynn was fired as the head of military intelligence by James Clapper, the current Director of National Intelligence. Mr. Flynn appears to have a vendetta against our intelligence community. Knowing that, will intelligence officers begin withholding sensitive information from the White House for fear that their sources will be intentionally compromised?
21
Trump is a clear and present danger to our country.
12
If the author were CIA acting director during Trump's administration he would be banned from working for Beacon Global Strategies because of the inherent conflicts of interest. He's just another of the many who capitalize on their government service to enrich themselves in private industry.
4
Trump's failure to embrace the activities as the CIA and support them is fraught with peril. It may seem like a stretch but tourism, both incoming and outgoing will potentially suffer as well. People rely on information to determine if areas they are traveling to are safe. Without good intelligence analysts, using their skills to interpret not just data but the population's behavior in a particular place where they live and work, lives can be put at risk. The State Department, CIA and FBI communicate with each other subtle shifts in a locales attitude and this information is crucial to citizen safety abroad...both for work and pleasure. Trump would be wise to keep his mouth shut.
Mexico comes to mind. With all the bashing Trump has done recently are Americans safe there and if so where are they safest and where does there exist potential for some kind of incident. From a random street beating to the bombing of a hotel. There is no substitute from good intelligence and Trump is undermining those efforts without a scintilla of evidence to support his claims...just his unrestrained braggadocio. The guy is truly nuts.
Mexico comes to mind. With all the bashing Trump has done recently are Americans safe there and if so where are they safest and where does there exist potential for some kind of incident. From a random street beating to the bombing of a hotel. There is no substitute from good intelligence and Trump is undermining those efforts without a scintilla of evidence to support his claims...just his unrestrained braggadocio. The guy is truly nuts.
8
The fact that Trump is concerned only with the affront to his vanity, implied by the idea that he was helped to win, is (or ought to be) astonishing. Why doesn't he accept the findings and feel flattered that a giant, menacing Russia played favorites because it likes him?
Has it occurred to anyone that if you sell your soul to Trump, and then send in the bill, he will not pay it?
Has it occurred to anyone that if you sell your soul to Trump, and then send in the bill, he will not pay it?
8
The true danger about Trump and the intelligence agencies is that while their intelligence is critical to many things he says he cares about; terrorism, proliferation (sometimes), cyberespionage, crime, war and the challenge posed to the global order by Iran and China (notably not Russia), it takes intelligence to use intelligence intelligently. He may have a degree from the Wharton School, but that doesn't equate with intelligence. He is a menace not only to the US, but to the world. With his penchant for fake news as long as it serves his purposes, he is an example of garbage in-garbage out.
13
It goes without saying that Donald Trump is a menacing creature on every conceivable level.
Can anything be done to encourage or possibly enforce him to use a more respectable way of expressing his vile tantrums than Twitter?
In my depressive stupor, I can't help but worry that we get Pence when "The Donald" is impeached.
Can anything be done to encourage or possibly enforce him to use a more respectable way of expressing his vile tantrums than Twitter?
In my depressive stupor, I can't help but worry that we get Pence when "The Donald" is impeached.
13
This is the problem with hiring someone to lead an administration who has never ran a large government bureaucracy, they don't understand how important it is to recruit, retain, and motivate the best minds. It is very easy for the talented people to walk away and take jobs in corporations, etc., when bosses are a bunch of idiots who don't value their work. What you get when you have bad leadership is mediocre government hacks who really are bad at there jobs because the talented people leave. Government jobs don't pay a ton of money, you have to provide incentive and smart mentorship. The last thing we want is a bunch of people in charge of national security who just tell Donald Trump whatever he wants to hear!
13
Since Trump and his cadre are convinced that all members of the US Civil Service are nothing more than apparatchiks, grifters and swindlers and that they only have their jobs as payback for favors, I'm sure they'll be very happy in the massive resignations.
To Louisa: your comment that "this relentless drive to throw out the results of the election because leaked emails made the Dems look bad is bordering on treason."
No.
Trump calling for the Russians to hack Senator Clinton's email is treason.
No.
Trump calling for the Russians to hack Senator Clinton's email is treason.
63
His calling on a long-time enemy government to hack Senator Clinton's email sure was treason. But then we elected him. This whole highly dangerous mess is beyond my understanding. How could the U.S. have gotten here?
4
Trump has no experience in matters of the direction, acquisition, analysis or utilization of intelligence essential to the security of the United States. Trump's knowledge of current international affairs among nations is, as his shown knowledge of historical contexts, abysmally deficient. Trump, having neglected presidential Intelligence briefings, is now before he is able to draw upon experience as president, planning a restructuring of the U. S. Intelligence efforts. Flynn, the expected National Security Advisor who is reported to be the impetus to revision has shown hostility to the operations and intelligence product of the C. I. A. premised primarily on his tactical experience in Afghanistan. Flynn's acknowledged expertise from Afghanistan is on the level of "tactical" intelligence gathering and use. Tactical intelligence is important in ground or other relatively lower level operations. For example, you might think the intelligence necessary for command of the first wave assault on Utah Beach during D-Day. The president, however, will deal daily with matters of broad national interests in world-wide locations. The only result to the intelligence capabilities of the U. S. from any revision constructed by an arrogant, unqualified retired flag officer for an uninformed, uneducated and wholly inexperienced president-elect would be to the serious detriment of U. S. security.
7
Oh, so NOW we're getting good journalism! Better late than never, better never late.
2
Trump is a danger, no doubt. Those fantastic old movie scenarios about coups in the US are suddenly imaginable -- only now we'll be rooting against the constitution and our elected leader.
I appreciate Michael Morell's reference to Turner's disastrous tenure at CIA. It was part of Jimmy Carter's greatest weakness: a real incompetence in foreign affairs (okay, maybe it's a tie with his economic record). A noble man after his presidency, not matched by any of his ex-White House peers, and insightful on many issues even while president, Carter could not muster the leadership the country needed at that time.
I hope we don't devolve now into a similar ball of confusion.
I appreciate Michael Morell's reference to Turner's disastrous tenure at CIA. It was part of Jimmy Carter's greatest weakness: a real incompetence in foreign affairs (okay, maybe it's a tie with his economic record). A noble man after his presidency, not matched by any of his ex-White House peers, and insightful on many issues even while president, Carter could not muster the leadership the country needed at that time.
I hope we don't devolve now into a similar ball of confusion.
1
Excellent, trustworthy, article. We should value our intelligence services. How strange to see that the president-elect does not.
9
The word, "intelligence" and the name, "Trump" should never appear in the same sentence.
8
Enact voter suppression measures in multiple states. Check. Have friends in another country dig around in opposition emails and release the juicy ones. Check. Mine a rich vein of racist and sexist attitudes among disaffected voters. Check. Stonewall a perfectly legitimate Supreme Court nominee so the next president can appoint one. Check. Plan to derail health care insurance for 20 million people and wipe out small hospitals across the country. Check. Plan to hand Social Security over to the private sector so it can extract fees from a huge amount of cash flow. Check. Plan to move Medicare and Medicaid to a voucher plan that will destroy the structure of the systems. Check. Appoint a modern-day den of thieves to the cabinet. Check. Ignore hard evidence from multiple intelligence agencies. Check.
I could add another 15 or 20 items to this checklist, but I think we all get the point.
I could add another 15 or 20 items to this checklist, but I think we all get the point.
36
If Trump really does not have any confidence in the CIA, he should get rid of it.
3
It's revealing that Trump was more focused on the Apprentice ratings than on the intelligence briefings. Your last paragraph summarizes well that Trump and facts are antithetical. Trump relies on the National Enquirer and Breitbart News for information, and we know how reliable those outlets are for accurate information. Throw Fox News in the mix, and you hit the trifecta. The word that comes to mind over and over with Trump is idiot.
9
That Trump is disaster for the nation is a given. However, I find the accusations of Russian interference in the election a total red herring. First, because it reveals once again the jaw dropping hypocrisy that is such a hallmark the American political establishment and the media. Does no one remember US buying of Italian elections in the late 1940s; the CIA's toppling of the democratically elected Mosddegh government in Iran in 1953; of the democratically elected Allende government of Chile in 1973; of the democratically elected (though deeply flawed) Yanukovich government in Ukraine in 2014?
Second, do we really don't know whether the Russians were behind the hacking of the DNC emails. Where is the evidence? Oh, yes, we can't reveal it because it would compromise our own cyber capabilities. But given the "intelligence commuinity's" deeply flawed history should we trust its word on this, especially since a new Cold War is sure to enhance its already massive budget and power?
Finally, is the American electorate so easily swayed by the leaks, especially especially that they revealed some truths about the DNC? Here the Democrats need to face up to the fact that many voters saw their candidate--Clinton--offering little more than the same old same. That is not to say that Trump was the better choice. But it does say that the Democrats need to show some real courage, and stand for some real change in this country.
Second, do we really don't know whether the Russians were behind the hacking of the DNC emails. Where is the evidence? Oh, yes, we can't reveal it because it would compromise our own cyber capabilities. But given the "intelligence commuinity's" deeply flawed history should we trust its word on this, especially since a new Cold War is sure to enhance its already massive budget and power?
Finally, is the American electorate so easily swayed by the leaks, especially especially that they revealed some truths about the DNC? Here the Democrats need to face up to the fact that many voters saw their candidate--Clinton--offering little more than the same old same. That is not to say that Trump was the better choice. But it does say that the Democrats need to show some real courage, and stand for some real change in this country.
2
“I know more about ISIS than the generals do. Believe me.”
“We are going to convey my top generals and give them a simple instruction.....They will have 30 days to submit to the oval office a plan for soundly and quickly defeating ISIS. We have no choice."
“I do know what to do and I would know how to bring ISIS to the table or beyond that, defeat ISIS very quickly and I’m not going to tell you what is… All I can tell you it is a foolproof way of winning.”
- Donald Trumpisms
“We are going to convey my top generals and give them a simple instruction.....They will have 30 days to submit to the oval office a plan for soundly and quickly defeating ISIS. We have no choice."
“I do know what to do and I would know how to bring ISIS to the table or beyond that, defeat ISIS very quickly and I’m not going to tell you what is… All I can tell you it is a foolproof way of winning.”
- Donald Trumpisms
3
Notice how Mr. Morell never mentions Mike Pompeo nor the CIA's long sordid history of toppling governments by any means necessary. The NYT has more in common with Pravda than Radio Free Europe.
6
So it's Russia, Iran, and China that pose challenges to the global order. Not ISIS and its wealthy soft support in various Arab countries. Interesting......
3
Notice how conservatives who propagate the "war on Cops" lie to smear the left are awfully silent at Trump's disparagement of our intelligence officers.
10
Mike
Give it a rest. You have been compromised. You authored the administrations talking points on Benghazi to intentionally mislead the public. You wrote in this newspaper you would do "anything" to get HRC elected. "Anything"? Pretty strong language. Maybe you have something to hide? Enjoy retirement.
Give it a rest. You have been compromised. You authored the administrations talking points on Benghazi to intentionally mislead the public. You wrote in this newspaper you would do "anything" to get HRC elected. "Anything"? Pretty strong language. Maybe you have something to hide? Enjoy retirement.
4
It's disturbing that Trump treats one of the cornerstones of American security with such disdain, but it's not surprising, either. Trump's approach to foreign policy (pulling back from NATO, building a wall along the Mexican border, reintroducing trade tariffs) works well to isolate the United States from the rest of the world, which in turn creates economic and political vacuums that Russia and China would be more than happy to fill.
4
Work today was interesting but not in a good way. People are outraged and scared. Some said Trump could be considered a 'traitor'. That was a first in my lifetime of 64 years, even worse than Watergate times. I wondered out loud if narcissistic demeanor could count as 'high crimes or misdemeanors'? But he hasn't even been sworn in yet. What are we to think or do about this? I am confused and frankly a little scared and horrified about Kremlin officials congratulating themselves and Trump dismissing it all as witch hunting. I'm not praying ...yet.
10
We are entering uncharted territory with Trump. Anybody that says they know how this will all work out is delusional. I hope we all survive.
8
The author of this temper tantrum is a senior counselor at Beacon Global Strategies, a company founded by Philippe Reines, who is the managing director. You all know who he is. Hillary's left hand man, before he was replaced by Huma Abedin.
5
Thank you Mr. Morell for serving our country so faithfully. Like Cassandra the Oracle, the media and the public ignored your warning about Mr. Trump and his Russian ties and perhaps allegiance. It has become clear to me that Trump is a witting tool for Putin, Assange and Wiki Leaks. Too bad our county did not heed your warning. So sad the media's obsession with Hillary's emails and server were misguided. Truth be told, she had the only safe and secure server in the National Security Arena. She wasn't hacked but NSA, DoD, the White House, RNC, DNC and other government agencies were hacked repeatedly on top of the leaks of State Department Cables on DoD servers and NSA documents given to the Russians by Snowden. I believe the nation is in severe danger by a maniac who is consorting with enemy number one Russia.
9
Your essay gives Trump way to much credit for independent thought. The drive behind this is coming from Flynn who's been at war with the intelligence services ever since he was ousted from his position. Moreover, like about 99% of everything Trump says he'll do--this, too, will run up against the realities of party politics, congressional interests and the permanent government. Donald's real education is set to begin on January 20th.
4
The fact is the results of the election were impacted by this and Comey. It's time to face facts and have another election and let everyone vote again. It is important to do this no matter how long it takes or costs
1
A question that bothers me a lot is that given Trump's disrespect of the intelligence agencies, why did FBI director Comey intervene in the election and assist Trump to victory?
4
Why didn't Comey insist that Hillary be indicted for perjury and other high crimes?
1
I mean the info about russia hacking been there for several months now. Why did the current president didn't act sooner. I don't think he even mentioned this in his campaign speeches. Was he helping Mr Trump?
How on earth can any responsible Republican think things will go well with the Trump presidency ? Trump is unhinged. I am putting my faith in Senators such as McCain and Graham, hoping that more will follow their wisdom.
5
Ugh, another Trump-hate piece. It's getting very dull to read the same bias editorial after editorial.
I don't believe for one second that there really isn't any variety amongst the journalists at the NYTimes?
Can you please hire some conservatives to keep life interesting. Can't hear myself think in this echo chamber.
I know you've got them; I occasionally read the flicker of thought that is unique and different. Come on, be the first leading paper to give a balanced perspective on the news.
You can still feed the majority of your audience this propaganda, but we want more! Thinking outside the box is good for your brain! Echo chambers make one deaf..
Could be profitable, who knows. It definitely will be less boring :(
We are paying for this and wait every day for a balanced journalistic piece. There in your news room, there just hiding because they'll be burned at the stake by the progressives.
I don't believe for one second that there really isn't any variety amongst the journalists at the NYTimes?
Can you please hire some conservatives to keep life interesting. Can't hear myself think in this echo chamber.
I know you've got them; I occasionally read the flicker of thought that is unique and different. Come on, be the first leading paper to give a balanced perspective on the news.
You can still feed the majority of your audience this propaganda, but we want more! Thinking outside the box is good for your brain! Echo chambers make one deaf..
Could be profitable, who knows. It definitely will be less boring :(
We are paying for this and wait every day for a balanced journalistic piece. There in your news room, there just hiding because they'll be burned at the stake by the progressives.
3
Sara and Nick,
Let me clarify some things you seem to be confused about. This is an "opinion" piece not a "news" piece. Please read the section heading. This is not written by an NYTimes journalist or someone on the NYTimes staff. The NYTimes did not pay Mr. Morell for this contribution.
You call this a "Trump-hate piece". That is what I would call an ad hominem attack. Can you say what pieces of evidence or what parts of Mr. Morell's argument you find problematic? Can you offer any evidence that his main thesis--that Trump's public comments disparaging the intelligence community--will *not* hurt the morale of the various federal intelligence agencies?
As an NYTimes reader, I am very happy to read reasoned arguments backed up by evidence that espouse a wide diversity of opinions. What can you contribute to this dialogue?
Let me clarify some things you seem to be confused about. This is an "opinion" piece not a "news" piece. Please read the section heading. This is not written by an NYTimes journalist or someone on the NYTimes staff. The NYTimes did not pay Mr. Morell for this contribution.
You call this a "Trump-hate piece". That is what I would call an ad hominem attack. Can you say what pieces of evidence or what parts of Mr. Morell's argument you find problematic? Can you offer any evidence that his main thesis--that Trump's public comments disparaging the intelligence community--will *not* hurt the morale of the various federal intelligence agencies?
As an NYTimes reader, I am very happy to read reasoned arguments backed up by evidence that espouse a wide diversity of opinions. What can you contribute to this dialogue?
Someone should tell Donald that Ted Cruz's father was a CIA asset
3
He's a traitor!
24
One of many concerns I have with Mr. Trump and his dispute with the intelligence community is that he will disclose critical national means of collection. Having worked in the intelligence field for a few years, I believe most people are not aware how difficult it is for analysts to gather information from a myriad of assets and come up with a conclusion. The best example of the intelligence task is trying to put together a half dozen jigsaw puzzles dumped on different tables with pieces missing. I don't believe that Mr. Trump understands this and his defense mechanism is to belittle the efforts of the intelligence community.
12
Responsible members of Congress should immediately begin to consider impeachment if there is a consensus that Trump poses a danger to national security.
6
Thanks, Vlad, for exposing the corruption of Clinton and the Dems.
Now "knock it off."
Now "knock it off."
6
Mission #1 at the CIA? Spy on the Grifter in Chief and let America know who the real Grifter is.
No less, no more.
No less, no more.
4
To paraphrase - we must fight with the President we have got rather than the one we wish we had. Trumph's choice to head the CIA comes from the House Intelligence Committee. This is reminiscent of Bush 43's naming Porter Goss (from the same committee) as CIA Director in 2002. Both Goss and the new Director designee were CIA case officers but were not really part of the CIA bureaucracy like say, Richard Helms (arguably the best leader of the agency). Lets hope that the new director (if he proves competent and not just a Trumph puppet) does not meet the same fate as Goss, who resigned after two years , frustrated by opposition from an entrenched bureaucracy.
Another key Trumph intelligence appointee as National Security Advisor is Michael Flynn, who by some accounts was a quite competent Army Intelligence intelligence officer dealing in TACTICAL intel. He rose to LT General which was somewhat unusual for a staff officer who was brutally frank and seem to somewhat lack political skills. In his new position he will have to coordinate intelligence inputs to Trumph drom all the intelligence Agencys, including CIA. Lets hope he has acquired more political skills, See
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/10/how-mike-flynn-became-ame...
Another key Trumph intelligence appointee as National Security Advisor is Michael Flynn, who by some accounts was a quite competent Army Intelligence intelligence officer dealing in TACTICAL intel. He rose to LT General which was somewhat unusual for a staff officer who was brutally frank and seem to somewhat lack political skills. In his new position he will have to coordinate intelligence inputs to Trumph drom all the intelligence Agencys, including CIA. Lets hope he has acquired more political skills, See
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/10/how-mike-flynn-became-ame...
The more I hear and read about Trump's reactions I get very afraid. I'm starting to think he is a paranoid. He can't sit in the Oval office and trust no one. That is very very dangerous.
7
From his first tweet, to probably his last (you know, when the nukes are flying) he will still believe he knows more than career professionals who have trained for decades to do this job.
Because, remember, ..."These are the smart. We have the smartest people. We have the smartest people. And they know it. And some say it. But they hate to say it. But we have the smartest people." ( Donald Trump 9/28/16)
The Central INTELLIGENCE Agency represents everything he despises; people who are a trained, accurate, fact finding organization. He can't comprehend that there is something "out there" better or smarter than he is.
Someone should sit him down in front of a computer and make him watch "Zero Dark Thirty". Hopefully he can stay awake and interested long enough to understand this is how the intelligence agencies work to keep us safe. His JOB now is doing that on behalf of the country he presumably wanted to lead.
Commander in Chief means the responsibility goes with the job. It's work. Hard work. Hours in the office doing work. If he didn't want it, he should have dropped out. But now that he has it he CANNOT let this country down.
Gratefully we are a 20 minute drive away from Canada. Passports are up to date. I pray the day doesn't come when we need to use them.
Because, remember, ..."These are the smart. We have the smartest people. We have the smartest people. And they know it. And some say it. But they hate to say it. But we have the smartest people." ( Donald Trump 9/28/16)
The Central INTELLIGENCE Agency represents everything he despises; people who are a trained, accurate, fact finding organization. He can't comprehend that there is something "out there" better or smarter than he is.
Someone should sit him down in front of a computer and make him watch "Zero Dark Thirty". Hopefully he can stay awake and interested long enough to understand this is how the intelligence agencies work to keep us safe. His JOB now is doing that on behalf of the country he presumably wanted to lead.
Commander in Chief means the responsibility goes with the job. It's work. Hard work. Hours in the office doing work. If he didn't want it, he should have dropped out. But now that he has it he CANNOT let this country down.
Gratefully we are a 20 minute drive away from Canada. Passports are up to date. I pray the day doesn't come when we need to use them.
8
I agree that Donald Trump is seriously mentally ill. It is terrifying that this country (with the help of the Russians) has just elected as its president a mentally unstable egomaniac. My cats have a better attention span than our soon-to-be commander in chief. I strongly suspect there is already a behind-the-scenes plan in the works to just let him think he is governing, and that saner minds and cooler heads will prevent him, from, for example, ordering a nuclear strike at 5:30 a.m. from his cell phone. That's not good, but it's not the first time in our history that someone has quietly taken or handled the reins of power from a sitting president. (Woodrow Wilson, incapacitated by a stroke, comes to mind.) Mike Pence, it's a good thing you believe in God, because you are going to need divine help handling this. But cheer up, everyone - I also predict that Donald Trump will either resign or be impeached and convicted by or before the mid-term elections. And his own party may already be in discussion on how to A) persuade him to do the first or B) get a conviction on the second.
9
The oath is to protect the Constitution, The Republic itself. How much more evidence is needed that this election was a scam and is invalid? History will not look kindly on the current administration for letting this insanity proceed without challenge. Two weeks and counting.
6
Dissing the intelligence agencies, not a smart move, Mr. president elect. You just did in your presidency.
No matter how he twists it or tweets it, for many of us who do care deeply about our country, it's not a valid election.
No matter how he twists it or tweets it, for many of us who do care deeply about our country, it's not a valid election.
24
Mr. Morell, I respect your position with the C.I.A. but does the fact that you endorsed Hillary Clinton put a little cloud on your commentary?
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/05/opinion/campaign-stops/i-ran-the-cia-n...
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/05/opinion/campaign-stops/i-ran-the-cia-n...
4
If a person is not a republican then their opinion is suspect regarding national security?
Are you suggesting that all of those who voted for Clinton in the CIA hand in their resignation?
Sounds like you missed the insight provided in the editorial. Read it again... Slowly.
Are you suggesting that all of those who voted for Clinton in the CIA hand in their resignation?
Sounds like you missed the insight provided in the editorial. Read it again... Slowly.
7
Trump needs to come out clean and tell us exactly who he thinks America's enemies are. He seems to think it's every American who does not agree with him.
10
Actually, the Ununited Staes of Americanistan are governed by three presidents: Obama, Putin and Trump
1
Morell is "not surprised." Nor are more than half of those who voted in the United States as well as serious leaders from NATO countries to China. In contrast, the republican party supports, defends and offers excuses for Trump's dangerous behavior. Can we demand a psychology review of Mr. Trump before January 20? This was always about more than Hillary losing for all sane people. This is about a danger to the entire world and the blood that will be on the hands of Paul Ryan if he does not step up to reign in this terror.
7
If a lawyer (e.g. - the Democratic Party) was misbehaving and was committing ethical breaches - that would be a serious breach.
If another law firm (e.g. Russia) engaged the services of a former secretary who had discovered these breaches while employed at the first law firm - but who had signed a non-disclosure agreement (an NDA), it would be a far less serious breach to reveal the actions of the first law firm.
Why is Mr. Morrell (and by extension the NY Times) not concerned about the actual parties (the motley crew at the Democratic Party) who were actually trying to interfere with the American electoral process. The criticism should be allocated as follows: 5% for the Russian "interference" and 95% for the actions at the DNC, both during the primary and during the Presidential election.
Currently, in this column and in the NY Times generally, the ratio is 99.99% on the Russian "interference" and 0.01% on the actions of the Democratic Party.
If another law firm (e.g. Russia) engaged the services of a former secretary who had discovered these breaches while employed at the first law firm - but who had signed a non-disclosure agreement (an NDA), it would be a far less serious breach to reveal the actions of the first law firm.
Why is Mr. Morrell (and by extension the NY Times) not concerned about the actual parties (the motley crew at the Democratic Party) who were actually trying to interfere with the American electoral process. The criticism should be allocated as follows: 5% for the Russian "interference" and 95% for the actions at the DNC, both during the primary and during the Presidential election.
Currently, in this column and in the NY Times generally, the ratio is 99.99% on the Russian "interference" and 0.01% on the actions of the Democratic Party.
1
Trump belittled McCain's military service, insulted a Gold Star family, and now disparages the CIA. He is unfit to be the commander and chief of the military.
3
I really don't think he will be with us for too long.
3
"Be afraid. Be very afraid." -The Fly
1
The Russian hacking has the potential to de-legitimize Trump's election as president. Trump and many of the Republicans in congress obviously don't want that de-ligitimization to go further. Therefore the best strategy for them to counter the intelligence findings is to repute ("witch hunt") those intelligence community findings and hope that it all goes away.
Trump thinks the intelligence agencies, all of them, are acting against him for political reasons that favor the Dems. It's common wisdom that law enforcement (including the Federal agencies that are reporting these findings) are traditionally conservative, and vote Republican. Imagine the agents and staff of these agencies, the majority of whom no doubt voted for him, now find themselves being ridiculed and disparaged by him. This self-serving man will turn on a dime against anyone who publicly disagrees with him. He might be smart, (according to him) but he is extremely ignorant on these matters of national security. Ignorant and proud of it. Sad, because our nation is at risk. Perhaps the world.
3
The assumption here is that Trump is interested in protecting America. Maybe he isn't ? As frightening as it is to contemplate, maybe Trump's intention is to weaken the intelligence agencies and weaken America. Just because Trump is a White American man doesn't mean that he actually has America's interest at heart.
1
Says the guy who wrote the Benghazi talking points, left government to join the Clinton campaign and expected to currently be back as head of the CIA...
...yeah this guy is super-credible.
Dear NYT - you shot yourselves in the foot during the election, it seems like you're now trying to dig your way out of a hole by going deeper. Stop. We need a non-partisan press.
...yeah this guy is super-credible.
Dear NYT - you shot yourselves in the foot during the election, it seems like you're now trying to dig your way out of a hole by going deeper. Stop. We need a non-partisan press.
Disparaging intelligence officers is akin to disrespecting U.S. soldiers. Many in the intelligence services (like U,.S. soldiers) risk their lives and face immense hazards on behalf of us all. When someone on the ground pinpoints a target to bomb Isis, who do you think that is? When anyone disrespects such service, it makes me ill. We can disagree on policy but we cannot diminish those who serve without being horrible people.
I fear Mr. Trump has a worse motive. America will face violence in the next few years; probably various faces of terrorism. Mr. Trump wants to be the "only one" who can fight it. By diminishing the role of those truly engaged in the fight, he can assert his own heroism and, with that, assume the powers given to such heroes. It's time to renounce the vulgar degradations of a cruelly ill-advised choice to serve as President of a great country
I fear Mr. Trump has a worse motive. America will face violence in the next few years; probably various faces of terrorism. Mr. Trump wants to be the "only one" who can fight it. By diminishing the role of those truly engaged in the fight, he can assert his own heroism and, with that, assume the powers given to such heroes. It's time to renounce the vulgar degradations of a cruelly ill-advised choice to serve as President of a great country
1
All true. The one character trait that will matter most after we are attacked is his insatiable need to always be right. He has already begun setting up the intelligence agencies for the fall, by calling them incompetent. Though he will undermine them, making it harder for them to do their jobs, he will also make sure it's they who are the bad guys when the next disaster occurs. And the fools who voted for this guy will swallow it, hook, line, and sinker.
2
Yet again, with Trump it's always "Me! Me! Me!" There is nothing here about what is good for the nation or the world. There is nothing here, however minor about serving the nation or the general public. It's all a sham.
When will the nation get, REALLY GET, that Trump only ran for President to satisfy the endless aching need for praise, that appears to consume him day and night - literally all night. So far, protecting the Brand is the common euphemism for this behavior - but it's really about protecting his self image as he sees it. Once we all get it, then we can move on as a nation, but until then, the danger he poses to us all is Extreme.
Trump recently tweeted about the good December economic numbers, turned it around as something HE can take credit for... and praised himself for his accomplishment on the economy. Sorry, Trump supporters and Right Wingers, this is *not* Rational Behavior! The sooner you all get this and see it for what it really is, the better off we are.
We have had way too much twisting of reality in recent years from the Right - but this is different. Just days away from taking office, Trump is not taking the Presidency, the Government agencies he will soon lead, or ANY of the Promises he made, seriously in any way. Trump owes the nation, or at least his own followers, an attempt to follow through on his promises. Backtracking on the "Swamp," the "Mexico Wall," and National Security as fast as he can spin it, is a poor sign of what we are in for.
When will the nation get, REALLY GET, that Trump only ran for President to satisfy the endless aching need for praise, that appears to consume him day and night - literally all night. So far, protecting the Brand is the common euphemism for this behavior - but it's really about protecting his self image as he sees it. Once we all get it, then we can move on as a nation, but until then, the danger he poses to us all is Extreme.
Trump recently tweeted about the good December economic numbers, turned it around as something HE can take credit for... and praised himself for his accomplishment on the economy. Sorry, Trump supporters and Right Wingers, this is *not* Rational Behavior! The sooner you all get this and see it for what it really is, the better off we are.
We have had way too much twisting of reality in recent years from the Right - but this is different. Just days away from taking office, Trump is not taking the Presidency, the Government agencies he will soon lead, or ANY of the Promises he made, seriously in any way. Trump owes the nation, or at least his own followers, an attempt to follow through on his promises. Backtracking on the "Swamp," the "Mexico Wall," and National Security as fast as he can spin it, is a poor sign of what we are in for.
5
I think Trump is s traitor to this country, and the penalty should be severe.
Now about the Russian Secret Operation to get Trump elected. Influencing the electorate as the Russians had effectively done can NOT be dismissed with the idea that the Clinton's and DNC leaked internal documents were truthful and the reason for the loss. Sophisticated psychological influencing by the Russians can slowly and effectively cast doubt on a candidates that permeates possibly up into the FBI/Comey affair and into media reporting and to individual voters.
There had been many reports, for example concerning Clinton Foundation and wedding funds, that are completely false. The cavalcade of questionable but seemingly plausible innuendo concerning the Clinton's, is detrimental to politicians with histories. Conversely for Trump, lack of political history lack of paper trail and seemingly no attempt to release possibly hacked republican documents is beneficial. When there were negative Trump media reports, those could be softened by the timing of released supposed hacked e-mails.
Now about the Russian Secret Operation to get Trump elected. Influencing the electorate as the Russians had effectively done can NOT be dismissed with the idea that the Clinton's and DNC leaked internal documents were truthful and the reason for the loss. Sophisticated psychological influencing by the Russians can slowly and effectively cast doubt on a candidates that permeates possibly up into the FBI/Comey affair and into media reporting and to individual voters.
There had been many reports, for example concerning Clinton Foundation and wedding funds, that are completely false. The cavalcade of questionable but seemingly plausible innuendo concerning the Clinton's, is detrimental to politicians with histories. Conversely for Trump, lack of political history lack of paper trail and seemingly no attempt to release possibly hacked republican documents is beneficial. When there were negative Trump media reports, those could be softened by the timing of released supposed hacked e-mails.
2
Like so many articles - this is preaching to the choir. Just elevates our stress level more, by confirming what we already know, giving it more credence and not having anything to do about it. It's like being tied to the tracks, you can hear the train and someone has put a countdown clock!
How do we get this information to the people who put him in power? How do we convince the people who knew and didn't care that this is very bad and they should've given it more priority. How do you explain the stakes to those people for whom he is the Teflon Don? I don't want to call them simpletons - but how else do you describe people who refuse to understand how government works, who pick and choose what they believe AND think they know everything. These are people who are the going to blame the "media" and "elites" for everything. People who do not understand that you need "experience" and that it's a dirty word.
Please Mr. Morell, how do you reach the people who votes cancel yours and mine and apparently a majority of Americans? How do you reach them and explain that this is not a spy movie, but REALLY real - not reality-TV real? You were the head of an agency that is about "intelligence" - if you can't spread it here to your fellow citizens, what hope is there?
How do we get this information to the people who put him in power? How do we convince the people who knew and didn't care that this is very bad and they should've given it more priority. How do you explain the stakes to those people for whom he is the Teflon Don? I don't want to call them simpletons - but how else do you describe people who refuse to understand how government works, who pick and choose what they believe AND think they know everything. These are people who are the going to blame the "media" and "elites" for everything. People who do not understand that you need "experience" and that it's a dirty word.
Please Mr. Morell, how do you reach the people who votes cancel yours and mine and apparently a majority of Americans? How do you reach them and explain that this is not a spy movie, but REALLY real - not reality-TV real? You were the head of an agency that is about "intelligence" - if you can't spread it here to your fellow citizens, what hope is there?
6
A mentally unstable man whose views fluctuate from day to day and hour to hour who has already revealed views about Russia’s leader and U.S. intelligence operations that border on treason is about to assume control of the executive branch of our government and all U.S. military operations, including our nuclear strike forces.
This is not the time to be talking about Obamacare or the environment or the Securities and Exchange Commission or anything else except how the country must act if Mr. Trump demonstrates signs of erratic behavior necessitating his immediate removal from office after January 20.
The existing provisions of the 25th Amendment relating to
the removal of U.S. Presidents would apply in his case without necessitating his impeachment, but have never been invoked in this manner before. A period of great uncertainty and possible upheaval is ahead of us when they have to be.
Preparations for his removal from office under the provisions laid down in our Constitution ought to be being made right now.
This is not the time to be talking about Obamacare or the environment or the Securities and Exchange Commission or anything else except how the country must act if Mr. Trump demonstrates signs of erratic behavior necessitating his immediate removal from office after January 20.
The existing provisions of the 25th Amendment relating to
the removal of U.S. Presidents would apply in his case without necessitating his impeachment, but have never been invoked in this manner before. A period of great uncertainty and possible upheaval is ahead of us when they have to be.
Preparations for his removal from office under the provisions laid down in our Constitution ought to be being made right now.
10
This editorial further provokes the already massive cognitive dissonance of any half-way informed citizen.
Beyond its connivance in presenting "evidence" that prompted the invasion of Iraq--to the tune of millions of people displaced, killed or maimed, Arab and American, and trillions of dollars blown or thrown away--the CIA has manifestly engaged in kidnapping and torture, including of innocents, which must be judged as illegal and unethical behaviors for which none of its officials has ever been held the least accountable.
More sadly, these are simply the latest events on a long list of sordid acts and campaigns that began with the agency's inception.
Americans DO need protection from the nation's enemies and competitors.
But--both Trump and the spooks included--who will ever protect us from our own hypocritical protectors?
Beyond its connivance in presenting "evidence" that prompted the invasion of Iraq--to the tune of millions of people displaced, killed or maimed, Arab and American, and trillions of dollars blown or thrown away--the CIA has manifestly engaged in kidnapping and torture, including of innocents, which must be judged as illegal and unethical behaviors for which none of its officials has ever been held the least accountable.
More sadly, these are simply the latest events on a long list of sordid acts and campaigns that began with the agency's inception.
Americans DO need protection from the nation's enemies and competitors.
But--both Trump and the spooks included--who will ever protect us from our own hypocritical protectors?
2
If the purpose of the Central Intelligence Agency were truly just to gather intelligence, who could possibly object. But it wasn't any intelligence gathering failures that led John F. Kennedy to famously assert his wish to "splinter the CIA into a thousand pieces and scatter it into the winds." What was it? It was the disastrous attempt at regime change in Cuba, cooked up by the CIA.
The CIA doesn't seem to have changed its stripes since 1961. It still sees itself as the agent of an "exceptional" America able and obliged to exercise its will and achieve regime-change and US hegemony in far-off places.
Like Kennedy was, Trump is a threat to the CIA. He perceives their political agendas and meddling for what they are.
Note that knocking the CIA does not mean failing to appreciate the many hard-working and honest CIA personnel who without question are genuine patriots and doing their best to gather and present the truth as they see it. But they are betrayed by their leadership.
The CIA doesn't seem to have changed its stripes since 1961. It still sees itself as the agent of an "exceptional" America able and obliged to exercise its will and achieve regime-change and US hegemony in far-off places.
Like Kennedy was, Trump is a threat to the CIA. He perceives their political agendas and meddling for what they are.
Note that knocking the CIA does not mean failing to appreciate the many hard-working and honest CIA personnel who without question are genuine patriots and doing their best to gather and present the truth as they see it. But they are betrayed by their leadership.
2
People forget that it was Dick Cheney and the Bush administration who cherry picked the intelligence on weapons of mass destruction. There were several people in the intelligence community who disputed their assertions.
15
Then, this is a flaw in our system that must be corrected.
Where is the Congress on issues like Iraq - does it only serve as a 'Rubber Stamp' after only a few superficial debates ?
And, what is the responsibility of the CIA Director if some " people in the intelligence community" have significant doubts? Does that person just become a ' go-along' to satisfy the goals of the executive? Why not consider resignation as necessary ?
Where is the Congress on issues like Iraq - does it only serve as a 'Rubber Stamp' after only a few superficial debates ?
And, what is the responsibility of the CIA Director if some " people in the intelligence community" have significant doubts? Does that person just become a ' go-along' to satisfy the goals of the executive? Why not consider resignation as necessary ?
There is reason to believe that Donald Trump´s electoral victory is devoid of legitimacy. Of course Vladimir Putin favored Trump. Would he rather deal with a steel magnolia or a blithering incompetent? The question answers itself. The problem is that for the next for years the rest of us will also have to deal with the blithering incompetent.
Oremus.
Oremus.
14
But Mr. Morell, you assume Trump cares about the good of the country, when in fact he cares only about his own aggrandizement. Since the CIA's recent exposes have threatened to reduce that, he sees them as his enemies.
21
No, Mr. Morell, your agency is at the core of the problem.
Our elected officials fawn over every pronouncement by the DNI, who deserved to be fired for lying to the American people about the extent of the domestic spying programs, while NYT continues promulgating unproven claims of a Russian conspiracy to influence the election (ironic when one considers the elections the U.S. has interfered with around the world for decades – one would expect those who live in glass houses should be the last to throw stones.)
It's a well known fact that CIA has been covertly involved in publishing companies in spreading propaganda right here in the US of A. One has to wonder to what extent they continue exerting influence in the MSM, particularly at the Times. http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/finks_explores_the_blurred_lin...
The NYT quotes CIA/Intelligence. But that is not proof of anything. As Glenn Greenwald cogently points out, “CIA officials are professional, systematic liars; they lie constantly, by design, and with great skill, and have for many decades, as have intelligence officials in other agencies.”
The NYT ought to change its masthead to “All the News the CIA and the 17 Intelligence Agencies Deem Fit to Print” - a more accurate representation of the "fake news" it shamelessly churns out these days.
https://consortiumnews.com/2016/12/13/hypocrisy-behind-the-russian-elect...
Frank Church is rolling in his grave.
Our elected officials fawn over every pronouncement by the DNI, who deserved to be fired for lying to the American people about the extent of the domestic spying programs, while NYT continues promulgating unproven claims of a Russian conspiracy to influence the election (ironic when one considers the elections the U.S. has interfered with around the world for decades – one would expect those who live in glass houses should be the last to throw stones.)
It's a well known fact that CIA has been covertly involved in publishing companies in spreading propaganda right here in the US of A. One has to wonder to what extent they continue exerting influence in the MSM, particularly at the Times. http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/finks_explores_the_blurred_lin...
The NYT quotes CIA/Intelligence. But that is not proof of anything. As Glenn Greenwald cogently points out, “CIA officials are professional, systematic liars; they lie constantly, by design, and with great skill, and have for many decades, as have intelligence officials in other agencies.”
The NYT ought to change its masthead to “All the News the CIA and the 17 Intelligence Agencies Deem Fit to Print” - a more accurate representation of the "fake news" it shamelessly churns out these days.
https://consortiumnews.com/2016/12/13/hypocrisy-behind-the-russian-elect...
Frank Church is rolling in his grave.
4
This is way oversold, as one might have reason to suspect given that the writer spent over 30 years working at the CIA. There is no mention, for example, that Trump could get most of his intelligence as it relates to Muslim nations from Israel. Who is more concerned with Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons than the latter?
Intelligence is not always factual. Much of it is presumptive and, as such, the US President has to evaluate it carefully.
Intelligence is not always factual. Much of it is presumptive and, as such, the US President has to evaluate it carefully.
2
The veriest last thing Donald wants to hear -- especially from Obama -- is that his presidency is illegitimate.
You wouldn't believe what we're finding, Donald. It's karma.
You wouldn't believe what we're finding, Donald. It's karma.
23
@Occupy Government: "You wouldn't believe what we're finding, Donald. It's karma."
Not as much as we found on Hillary, my friend, thanks to her nemesis, Julian Assange and Wikileaks. As for Karma, losing the presidential election (for the second and, thankfully, the LAST time) was hers. When you do all the bad things she and hubby Bill did over the years and played all the dirty games she played (with the tacit help of her enabler Debbie Wasserman-Shultz) manipulating the primaries to steal the election from Sanders, well, you get what's coming to ya. And boy did she ever.
Hey, at least the Clintons still have all that ill-gotten money from shaking down Goldman Sachs and the Saudis, et al.
If there's a silver lining to this sordid election cycle, it's the fact that Julian Assange helped send the Clintons on their way and into early retirement from politics. Hillary and Bill are history! Now we have to rid the Democratic Party of the remaining cancer that's metastasized via Clinton loyalists, like the Chuck Schumers and Bill De Blasios of the world.
God bless you, Mr. Assange!
Not as much as we found on Hillary, my friend, thanks to her nemesis, Julian Assange and Wikileaks. As for Karma, losing the presidential election (for the second and, thankfully, the LAST time) was hers. When you do all the bad things she and hubby Bill did over the years and played all the dirty games she played (with the tacit help of her enabler Debbie Wasserman-Shultz) manipulating the primaries to steal the election from Sanders, well, you get what's coming to ya. And boy did she ever.
Hey, at least the Clintons still have all that ill-gotten money from shaking down Goldman Sachs and the Saudis, et al.
If there's a silver lining to this sordid election cycle, it's the fact that Julian Assange helped send the Clintons on their way and into early retirement from politics. Hillary and Bill are history! Now we have to rid the Democratic Party of the remaining cancer that's metastasized via Clinton loyalists, like the Chuck Schumers and Bill De Blasios of the world.
God bless you, Mr. Assange!
3
i'm not convinced Assange is working for this country and I don't want any nonsense from people who don't understand anything.
@Occupy Government: Your line of thinking proves that know-nothing "I'M WITH HER" Hillarybots are not only the epitome of sore losers (in the most pathetic way) but are, in fact, the true deplorables.
"But we won the popular vote!!!"
Yeah, but ya lost the election, Blanche. And it wasn't due to the influence of Russian hackers, third party voters, voter suppression, sexism, or the endless list of excuses Hillary supporters like yourself cry about. Your candidate lost because there are people in this great country of ours, particularly young people and registered Democrats like myself, who were alert and paying attention, not half-asleep zombies like yourself.
Truth is, there were too many of us who couldn't get past the stench of deceit and blind ambition in your most dirty candidate. Hillary and Donald were two of the most reviled candidates in electoral history and we're in the mess we're in, in large part, due to the corruption and shortsightedness of the DNC...not to mention the stupidity of the electorate who went along with the program, right over the cliff.
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Chris Hedges, who worked for 15 years as a foreign correspondent for the New York Times got it right: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/interviews/journalist-chris-hedges-2/
Naomi Klein also got it right: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/09/rise-of-the-davos-...
"But we won the popular vote!!!"
Yeah, but ya lost the election, Blanche. And it wasn't due to the influence of Russian hackers, third party voters, voter suppression, sexism, or the endless list of excuses Hillary supporters like yourself cry about. Your candidate lost because there are people in this great country of ours, particularly young people and registered Democrats like myself, who were alert and paying attention, not half-asleep zombies like yourself.
Truth is, there were too many of us who couldn't get past the stench of deceit and blind ambition in your most dirty candidate. Hillary and Donald were two of the most reviled candidates in electoral history and we're in the mess we're in, in large part, due to the corruption and shortsightedness of the DNC...not to mention the stupidity of the electorate who went along with the program, right over the cliff.
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Chris Hedges, who worked for 15 years as a foreign correspondent for the New York Times got it right: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/interviews/journalist-chris-hedges-2/
Naomi Klein also got it right: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/09/rise-of-the-davos-...
2
#puppet
1
Trump is a danger to the fabric of America woven over the last 100 years. His challenge of the CIA fits a pattern. He repeatedly challenges establishment - institutions and people - whenever they are not in his favor and promotes discord and ill-will against them.
I would be very surprised if his presidency lasts four years for he will get himself impeached as the GOP members of congress start distancing themselves from his extreme positions and refuse to save his presidency. They already have with regards to American intelligence institutions like the CIA.
I would be very surprised if his presidency lasts four years for he will get himself impeached as the GOP members of congress start distancing themselves from his extreme positions and refuse to save his presidency. They already have with regards to American intelligence institutions like the CIA.
8
To be fair, I think the CIA probably does more harm for national security than Trump Tweets do, but I take your point.
3
To be clear in response to Louisa - Trump is NOT saying that the release of the emails doesn't mean he was fairly elected. He is saying that the release of the emails and the other efforts by the Russians had no impact on the election, and he has previously said that it was not done with an intent to effect the election. As intelligence officials have said (and Morrell does not contradict) there is no way to know how much of an impact the interference had. No one in an official capacity (nor Morrell) has said that Trump wasn't fairly elected - he's just insecurely assuming this is implied (and of course, given how close the election was, it is certainly possible that absent the interference he would not have won). What the intelligence community is saying, backed by copious proof, is that the Russians interfered (which Trump has denied, without any proof) and that they did so with an intent to help Trump (which Trump is unwilling to accept). Left open is whether it had an impact on the result and whether Trump or his campaign were aware of what was going on or involved in any way (which, in fact, would meet the legal definition of treason).
Bottom line - you're just making stuff up, which is suspiciously similar to the behavior of your preferred candidate.
Bottom line - you're just making stuff up, which is suspiciously similar to the behavior of your preferred candidate.
3
I want a President who believes in the CIA, not one who believes Russia.
50
How can a man with a diagnosable psychological disorder be allowed to be President?
116
There have been many of them...
1
I am a tad confused by Louisa's posting. The US Security community believes it has found a link to the email releases which goes all the way up to Vladimir Putin. Trump has spent the last week going out of his way to point out the CIA's deficiencies and tweeting his own theories of renegade fat kids in New Jersey. If his statements are not "questioning the competency of the CIA," I am not sure what is. Whether or not the hacked information changed the course of the election is not important. That fact that the CIA believes it can prove that Putin TRIED to meddle is what is most troubling. So, how is it that publicizing the CIA findings and commenting on them is "bordering on treason?"
7
We may be watching, in real time, the ascension of a political madman. Lifted by the very subjects he despises. He is not the John Wayne come to the rescue. Trump is the man behind the curtain, a charlatan, and with snake oil for the American people.
72
This is all beating around the bush. Trump is all about Trump and nothing else. But instead of lamenting and arguing that this is bad, Trump needs to be labeled as unpatriotic and harming America. His constituency sees him as advocating American first: those who oppose him need to define him as unpatriotic and thus not really not for America. And to be effective it has to be said over and over.
34
One way to describe a post-truth Donald Trump presidency might be "pulp fiction," but as his tweets about "Intelligence" grow ever weirder maybe "science fiction" fits better - the dystopian kind.
5
If only Trump had as much respect for Americans as he does for Putin. Trump has no problem insulting John McCain, gold star parents, women, the handicapped, immigrants... the list goes on. But he seems incapable of insulting Putin.
124
That is because "Putin says nice things about Trump, " so "Trump will say nice things about Putin." It's as simple as that; Trump's thinking goes no deeper. Neither does the thinking of many who voted for him, which is to say enough to grant him the presidency of the United States.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
6
President Elect Trump has shown that he does not have a grasp of what it means to put your life at risk to serve your country. He has disparaged the military and attacked a Gold Star family. Mr. Morell can add himself and the C.I.A to the list of Americans that have been "gut punched" by Mr. Trump.
22
This election has been a disaster. It is understandable how Trump has to seek every conceivable form of denial that his presidency was the result of Russian hacking. We now face the terrible challenge--how to deal with a historically unprecedented crisis rooted in this fraudulent election, which has given us a president who, contrary to Trump's egotistical congratulations, was actually headed toward defeat. There is no way that the shadow of illegitimacy will go away. Some dirt cannot ever come out in the wash. This political catastrophe cannot be excused, explained into irrelevance, nor appeased by more populist spin. We now have to live this political tumor on the body politic, and hope to limit the potential for even more harmful metastasizing. But how to do so? The real challenge now falls to the better and most rational actors in the Senate and Congress, not the Trumpian sycophants, who have to do their best to check and even quarantine this political disaster. Thought members of the GOP (hopefully this is not an oxymoron) must salvage their better principles (which, by definition, means actually putting the country ahead of party)--though this will certainly test such a faith-based proposition. Democrats much resist moves to legitimate this illegitimacy by supporting progressive social movements if we are to block further civic erosion. Failing to check and resist this illegitimate administration might take down the whole ship.
21
Was the CIA (& the State Department) aware of ISIS & Al Qaeda growing in strength in Syria? Was the CIA aware at all of ISIS's plans and military movements into Iraq? And why was there a lack of US support -- at the very least from drone strikes, in response to early battles by Iraqi forces against ISIS?
Why was the potential instability & ensuing humanitarian disaster in Libya so poorly anticipated after Qaddafi was deposed?
Why was the potential instability & ensuing humanitarian disaster in Libya so poorly anticipated after Qaddafi was deposed?
5
As much as one doesn't want to "like" the CIA, I've been very impressed with the people I've met whom this agency has tried to recruit, or engage. Surprised! Super geniuses with hearts, but agency failed to attract them, I guess. Maybe some will still want to serve to balance the nonsense now. Let's hope so.
3
If Trump truly disrespected the men and women of America's intelligence community he'd be ignoring them completely. The simple fact we ought to have learned by now is that whoever Trump most fears at any given moment is that person or that organization he is presently attacking.
147
Trump's ignorance of Government is now on public display. He should know better than to criticize, or cross-swords with, the long-time members of the Intelligence Community. They have, each, forgotten more about the intelligence game than Trump will ever know. Tread softly, Mr. Trump.........I trust them far more than I trust you.
Thank you, Mr. Morello, for your dedication to our nation's safety. I only wish we had an incoming president worthy of the dedication of government servants, mostly toiling in obscurity, whose work we all depend on
Our current plight as a country, facing a very flawed incoming leader, frightens the heck out of me. Due to his lack of impulse control, lack of ethics, lack of trustworthiness, inexperience and frankly paranoid thinking, we are likely to lose friends and make enemies internationally. At home I foresee endless unnecessary divisions, conflicts and vendettas, started by this seriously flawed individual.
I see no solution except impeachment. And I fear the damage that might be done before impeachment becomes obvious and necessary.
Woe is already upon us. A woe we may inflict on the world. Facing that, every true patriot must stand up and fight for our values, for our Republic. Must speak out. We must also embrace whistleblowers, for we will sorely need them. We face a terrible time of testing. I hope we can measure up to the costs.
Our current plight as a country, facing a very flawed incoming leader, frightens the heck out of me. Due to his lack of impulse control, lack of ethics, lack of trustworthiness, inexperience and frankly paranoid thinking, we are likely to lose friends and make enemies internationally. At home I foresee endless unnecessary divisions, conflicts and vendettas, started by this seriously flawed individual.
I see no solution except impeachment. And I fear the damage that might be done before impeachment becomes obvious and necessary.
Woe is already upon us. A woe we may inflict on the world. Facing that, every true patriot must stand up and fight for our values, for our Republic. Must speak out. We must also embrace whistleblowers, for we will sorely need them. We face a terrible time of testing. I hope we can measure up to the costs.
2
Trump's lack of interest in the facts, and the truth, has no precedence. Being incurious about what's going on, basking in a highly dangerous willful ignorance, may be a strong sign of his immaturity, as he expressed often enough when dismissing experts in the field as knowing less than his gut feeling. Trump is so full of himself, that he appears to us as an egomaniac frog wanting to be a cow...and exploding in the effort. Crooked lying Trump at the helm is a bad omen for the country. Although 'buyers remorse' is setting in, you cannot return him for malfunction or incoherence in its construction, as he is an outdated model, with no real use to anybody but himself. To add to our stress, he being so ignorant, is being counselled by vengeful and nasty individuals hoping to score. The C.I.A. and the F.B.I. must hide his addictive 'twitter' so no further cowboy-like adventurism is propagated and interpreted adversely by friends and foes alike. Quite frankly, his incurious impertinence is of no help whatsoever.
Morell doubles down. He so succinctly stated his preference (as he reiterates here, Trump is not just not his pick, he is unfit for office) surely he was/is not alone. Why would Trump embrace opinion that so describes him? The fact is the Russian hack is being used to delegitimize Trump's presidency. Just another "if not for xxxxx Clinton would have won" straw. Clinton did not lose the election because of Wikileaks but it did clarify her character for some.
1
Apparently the scuttlebutt is that there were FBI and CIA officers rooting for Trump in the last election. FBI director Comey certainly seems to have tipped the election toward him.
What are they thinking now? He is trashing the intelligence agencies daily. He is lowering the profile of the National Security Director. He is appointing a crazy person, Michael Flynn, as National Security adviser. Rarely has an incoming president done more to signal his contempt for these agencies.
But Trump may find that he has met his match. The CIA and FBI can cut both ways. They DO investigate things, even Presidents. Trump would do well to have them on his side.
But he is not doing well. He is headed for a fall at their hands if he is not more careful.
What are they thinking now? He is trashing the intelligence agencies daily. He is lowering the profile of the National Security Director. He is appointing a crazy person, Michael Flynn, as National Security adviser. Rarely has an incoming president done more to signal his contempt for these agencies.
But Trump may find that he has met his match. The CIA and FBI can cut both ways. They DO investigate things, even Presidents. Trump would do well to have them on his side.
But he is not doing well. He is headed for a fall at their hands if he is not more careful.
2
Mr. Morell, your fourth paragraph perfectly sums it up, and should be re-read by all. All this posturing is for "brand protection". Donald Trump, do the country (and world) a solid and don't show on January 20th.
3
Here the original fourth paragraph that was edited (deleted): In my opinion, [Donald] Trump's repudiation of the CIA flows from his desire to protect his brand at all costs (to him, accepting that the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, interfered in our election would be an admission that his victory was tarnished), his need to always be right (from his perspective, it is not possible that he could have been wrong in praising Putin), his refusal to change his views based on new information and his unwillingness to listen to others. It flows from who he is as a person. It was the reason so many national security professionals were so concerned about the prospect of his becoming commander in chief. This is not just a matter of insulting loyal Americans. I have no doubt that Trump's behavior vis-a-vis the CIA, if it is not fixed soon, will put our nation at risk.
The CIA has a long history of torture, spreading dis-information, undermining and overthrowing governments, doing one horrible thing after another. In fact it might good if all those people did resign and aren't replaced. The same is true of Trump. He is salivating to have the power to do monstrous things. He should resign too. Even before he takes office. So should Pence. One of my favorite political buttons of all time read US OUT OF NORTH AMERICA. How much better the world would be if that would happen.
Trump's failure to understand the gravity of Russia's interference in the the recent election is clear and convincing evidence that he is living in his own unique version of reality. He is clearly a threat to national security.
7
Its time to call Trump what he is, an agent for a foreign government.
And he should be called out on this soon. Before he is can lift Lady Liberty's dress and let the Russians do as they will.
And he should be called out on this soon. Before he is can lift Lady Liberty's dress and let the Russians do as they will.
7
This is the narcissistic psychopath a relative handful of white rural voters in five rust belt states have put in charge of the free world - despite endless warnings against his utter unfitness for office. This is the Moscow Manchurian candidate the Electoral College electors didn't vote against - despite his endless refusal to reveal his financial ties to Russia. This is the crackpot conspiracy theorist whom the Republican Congress is about to confirm as our next Commander-in-Chief - despite his repeated insults and unhinged tweets launched at the nation's essential intelligence gathering agencies. My only hope is that the very same intelligence agencies will expose the extent of his indebtedness, literal and figurative, to Russian banks and Russian oligarchs and to his puppet master Putin.
6
According to observations and analyses by experts in psychology and psychoanalysis, Mr. Trump is not only unprepared for the Presidency, he is flawed mentally and functionally ill. He is afflicted with narcissistic personality disorder. This damages his ability to serve us and our country; it may, in fact, poses a clear and present danger to us all.
Time to consider our alternatives. Do we have any? One?
Time to consider our alternatives. Do we have any? One?
2
MY cat! She loves everybody and she could learn to tweet purrs.
It is clear that Trump's statement, obviously written by someone else, is somewhat muted. I guess he got so overwhelmed by the amount of evidence that his head is, and will continue for few hours, to spin. However, in the middle of the night he will tweet something different, more likely 'same ol' Donald.
2
we live in dangerous times seems many of the predictions on trump
are comng true if he keeps this up he is a borderline traitor and
may be impeached some day or worse
1
Until or unless members of the House of Representatives come to their collective senses, on January 20, 2017, this most unstable of men will have unrestrained access to our nuclear arsenal as well as command of our armed forces. And if that doesn't scare you, it should. We have never in our history faced the prospect that the person about to assume the presidency is mentally unbalanced; for the sake of our Nation, Congress must act before it is too late.
10
Perhaps if the IRS released trumps tax return file we could save some speculation as to trumps motives. And all they have to say is oops!
21
Of coourse, this started with Reagan who famously said "the government is the problem". It certainly can be is some cases, and for the preseident to say such a thing should have brought down the sky on his head--but no, we just got in line for the koolaid.
There is surely things we don't believe that the government says--unemployment stats, for one. 4.7% --not in a pigs eye. salaries going up--yeah, in Seattle but we'll see how many jobs bite the dust or who actually gets a job that is full time on that salary.
The real problem is that this kind of speech from the president/elect undermines our belief in government and this goes well with the GOP to drown it in a bathtub. This may seem like nothing, but it is just a first step. Next, we'll have someone decide that we don't need laws, or elections for that matter. People of all stripes need to wake up to lthis. saying your government is a fool and a liar is not the same is saying that there was an error. Only the people are guaranteed the option of forming a new government by the constitution, not the president.
There is surely things we don't believe that the government says--unemployment stats, for one. 4.7% --not in a pigs eye. salaries going up--yeah, in Seattle but we'll see how many jobs bite the dust or who actually gets a job that is full time on that salary.
The real problem is that this kind of speech from the president/elect undermines our belief in government and this goes well with the GOP to drown it in a bathtub. This may seem like nothing, but it is just a first step. Next, we'll have someone decide that we don't need laws, or elections for that matter. People of all stripes need to wake up to lthis. saying your government is a fool and a liar is not the same is saying that there was an error. Only the people are guaranteed the option of forming a new government by the constitution, not the president.
Another fact: we have a very dangerous dim-witted delusional apprentice in the highest office in the land who shouldn't be trusted with a box of matches let alone the nuclear codes. There must be, has to be, some means by which he can be fired - now - before he and a complicit, compliant congress, light a fuse that can't be extinguished.
13
Where is Michael Morell's outrage about the CIA's lies to the Warren Commission; and again to the House Select Committee on Assassinations, which went so far as conducting a domestic counter-op versus Congress in spite of the prohibition against the CIA acting on US soil? Or the CIA's "Operation Mockingbird" to use media assets throughout the US to push CIA version of events instead of allowing the US people to find the truth. As Notre Dame Law Professor G. Robert Blakey and former Counsel to Congress says, " I now no longer believe anything the [CIA says] any further than I can obtain substantial corroboration for it from outside the Agency for its veracity."
3
Trump, like his supporters, does not need intel, or any awareness of things as they are, because he figures that now -- since he's got a bunch of nukes, missiles and soldiers lives to play with -- he can just hammer the world into whatever form he wants. He figures he can make his fictions fact.
5
Trump,start acting a president and READ THIS! NOW!!
1
"He is a senior counselor at Beacon Global Strategies."
Great disclaimer. Maybe mention that BGS was founded by Clintonworld acolytes and continues to have direct ties to it. In other words, the author has direct financial ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton i.e. her loss was harmful to his financial well-being.
Great disclaimer. Maybe mention that BGS was founded by Clintonworld acolytes and continues to have direct ties to it. In other words, the author has direct financial ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton i.e. her loss was harmful to his financial well-being.
2
Your attempt to demean a man who headed the CIA and served his country by slinging false innuendo is ineffective. He has the moral authority and knowledge here.
3
And he was on the short list to be CIA director, Director of National Intelligence or other high-level position in Hillary presidency. In spite of the apology letter immediately after the election for becoming nothing more than an extension of the DNC, the New York Times unfortunately is continuing down their sad descent into becoming a slightly more grown-up Breitbart of the Alt-Left. Hard to find objective, honest coverage these days that is open about conflicts-of-interest, etc. Necessary to read about 6 or 7 different sources across the spectrum.
2
Donald J. Trump takes pride in his unpredictability. Unfortunately, it seems even he can't predict what he's likely to say from one tweet the next. The ailment (or strategy) keeps his watchers guessing, and the dispersal of his comments has been catnip for the presscats.
Apparently Trump supporters have little or no interest in hisflood of erroneous or mean-spirited, self-aggrandizing statements. Many seem to believe the president-elect deserves praise for "telling it like it is" -- even when whatever "it is" swings back and forth like a vebal see-saw. Micheal Morell may be correct: employees will vote with their feet by walking out of government service. The drama of a television show's abusive "You're fired" attitude, the enjoyment audiences may find in a host's or an employer's demeaning personal attacks seem destined to cause discontent when the insulter is Commander-In-Chief. The campaign and current transition period more than hint at the kind of management style experienced professional government employees will have to endure. From where they sit, our good soldiers in the trenches may already wonder just how long four years can seem.
Doug Giebel
Big Sandy, Montana
Apparently Trump supporters have little or no interest in hisflood of erroneous or mean-spirited, self-aggrandizing statements. Many seem to believe the president-elect deserves praise for "telling it like it is" -- even when whatever "it is" swings back and forth like a vebal see-saw. Micheal Morell may be correct: employees will vote with their feet by walking out of government service. The drama of a television show's abusive "You're fired" attitude, the enjoyment audiences may find in a host's or an employer's demeaning personal attacks seem destined to cause discontent when the insulter is Commander-In-Chief. The campaign and current transition period more than hint at the kind of management style experienced professional government employees will have to endure. From where they sit, our good soldiers in the trenches may already wonder just how long four years can seem.
Doug Giebel
Big Sandy, Montana
190
If the President Obama had even thought of praising Vladimir Putin, he would have been called a “communist lover and sympathizer”—as he was when he visited Cuba and shook hands with Castro—by the media and a large swath of White America.
However, white male privilege allows Demagogue 45 to express vitriol and hatred toward Americans, show love for Putin, and belittle American national security agencies without any fear of retribution from the reality show media, White America, or the obstructionist republican controlled congress.
Had President Obama demonstrated this behavior there would have been massive white rage along with Congress vehemently decrying that he not be administered the oath of office. However, white male privilege assures Demagogue 45 that he has no such worries.
“We have seen with our own eyes what happens to a society when it allows itself to be ruled by the least able and the most abject among us. We have seen what happens when the “democracy” is taken to be a synonym for mediocrity; is not taken to mean to raise all of its members to the highest possible level, but on the contrary to reduce such members as aspire to excellence down to the lowest common denominator…ignorance is in the saddle here, and we ride mankind. Let us attempt to face the fact that we are a racist society, racist to the very marrow…the fact that these men are in power proves the bankruptcy of the civilization which has put them there.” James Baldwin
However, white male privilege allows Demagogue 45 to express vitriol and hatred toward Americans, show love for Putin, and belittle American national security agencies without any fear of retribution from the reality show media, White America, or the obstructionist republican controlled congress.
Had President Obama demonstrated this behavior there would have been massive white rage along with Congress vehemently decrying that he not be administered the oath of office. However, white male privilege assures Demagogue 45 that he has no such worries.
“We have seen with our own eyes what happens to a society when it allows itself to be ruled by the least able and the most abject among us. We have seen what happens when the “democracy” is taken to be a synonym for mediocrity; is not taken to mean to raise all of its members to the highest possible level, but on the contrary to reduce such members as aspire to excellence down to the lowest common denominator…ignorance is in the saddle here, and we ride mankind. Let us attempt to face the fact that we are a racist society, racist to the very marrow…the fact that these men are in power proves the bankruptcy of the civilization which has put them there.” James Baldwin
8
I am sorry to say but the damage done to the CIA and other intelligence agencies is likely not reversible with this incoming President elect. Further, it will get worse. He just came from the CIA briefing and about all he reported was the hacking had no effect on the outcome of the election.
This man is so unqualified to be President. But he was elected by the voters of this country and they to me are the true culprits. 60+ million of them. And I do not have one ounce of respect for them.
How could we do this to ourselves, such a great country? It was!
This man is so unqualified to be President. But he was elected by the voters of this country and they to me are the true culprits. 60+ million of them. And I do not have one ounce of respect for them.
How could we do this to ourselves, such a great country? It was!
3
People who voted for Trump are fools for not understanding the danger he represents to our country and the world at large. Virtually every member of the GOP is complicit with what has already unfolded and what is about to unfold. I cannot regard either group as interested in the welfare of our country--some people just want to watch the whole world burn.
3
Obama is the danger. Syria, Libya, Iran, Gaza, Crimea, .....
1
Trump is a complete and total embarrassment to this country - Trump is the only thing Trump cares about. We will be lucky to have this country intact until the next election or until he gets impeached, whichever comes first.
1
Every single day Mr. Trump says or does something to make it painfully obvious that we are about to have the mental, emotional and intellectual equivalent of an eight year old schoolyard bully sitting in the White House. It is terrifying.
6
This problem Trump creates for our national security is one of the reasons Putin worked so hard to get him elected. The bonus is a lack of credibility in our elections. This was probably the initial goal in hacking the DNC. in the first place. But now there is collateral damage. But look on the bright side. The election of 2016 has, in many ways, exposed the vulnerability in our democratic process. There is no question that we must act to correct this. If 2016 never happened, we would certainly go on in the same direction and at some point down the road a far worse disaster would be waiting. Now that the problem is before us, Democrats and Republicans, for the first time, are given the opportunity to serve the nation!
Trump is totally unfit to be Commander-in-Chief and consequently must be impeached as soon as possible for the security of this nation!
6
Trump is a clear and present danger.
What did he know, and when did he know it about the Russian hacking. Some of the president's men may have colluded with Putin's men.
What did he know, and when did he know it about the Russian hacking. Some of the president's men may have colluded with Putin's men.
3
Can we just start the impeachment proceedings now before this egocentric toddler of a mad man puts us all in danger. I'm not kidding. What were people thinking when they voted for him? What was your limit of you you'd vote for to vote for "change"? Are you really that gullible, delusional to have voted for someone with such obvious character flaws? Do you really trust this man with the lives of your children?
13
Thank you Mr. Morell for continuing to speak truth to power. We need more people like you, principled and courageous, with impeccable credentials, to speak out, loud and clear. That is true patriotism. I hope you're wrong in terms of experienced agents leaving the agencies. I hope they know this man is already discredited in so many ways. It's only logical to think that Putin and his hackers hold all sorts of damaging information against DT and some of his team members. The potential threat of blackmail or worse is likely. Considering this and the multiple security issues we face as a nation, we need our strong intelligence community expertise now more than ever.
6
If anyone has been on a crusade it has been Michael Morell who has been attacking Trump incessantly and viciously for over a year.
Trump has been raising questions which hardly amounts to a crusade.
Trump has been raising questions which hardly amounts to a crusade.
2
Mr. Morell, you are so anti-Trump, it's not funny. Get over it. I read the report. Every single place where words "we assess" appeared, they could have placed "we guess"... There is nothing but circumstantial evidence. As an intelligence professional, this was a very proportionate and effective response (tweaking HRC's nose through WikiLeaks) to America and her interference in Ukraine and Russian parliamentary elections. Podesta got got. Bummer. It was karmic justice that Assange helped embarrass her after he was driven into hiding by the US (not Sweden).
4
May your one-way trip to Russia be expedited. We do not need supporters of treason here in America.
2
I just don't make the connection between hacking and treason. Stealing everything, like Snowden did, is certainly treasonous, in my book. Bui not the FSB/GRU/Podesta/WikiLeaks/Hillary thing. Not by a long shot. We need tp harden up and shut up.
2
Trump and/or his team was working with Putin to disrupt the democratic process. Listen to his rhetoric pre-election; listen to his rhetoric post-election. He knew what was up.
9
Can't someone or some organization bring a wrongful election suit against Trump and the GOP into the Federal Court over this matter?
19
Mr Trump is a man of great wealth and has used debt as a leverage to accumulate his wealth, this is self acknowledged. But who owns his debt. Almost any debt can be bought and sold. Its a regular transaction among corporations, banks and countries, but Mr Trump has never disclosed his financial records, so we don't know who owns Trumps liabilities. If you want to own a rich man, buy his debt, you'll own him, especially if his self worth is based on his money and his image.
2
Let's face it - Donald Trump is always about Donald Trump. He will always put his image and his perceived reputation ahead of the country and it's citizens.
The question is of course, will the US survive Donald Trump as he seems to put us more at risk - days before he even enter office.
A man of Trump's caliber might have got by a 150-years ago - no weapons of mass destruction - news of events took weeks to hear about. But today with instant communication - a global world connected - managed by a man who tweets his opinion and ideas - I think not.
The question is of course, will the US survive Donald Trump as he seems to put us more at risk - days before he even enter office.
A man of Trump's caliber might have got by a 150-years ago - no weapons of mass destruction - news of events took weeks to hear about. But today with instant communication - a global world connected - managed by a man who tweets his opinion and ideas - I think not.
2
"In a state of mind that prevents normal perception, behavior, or social interaction . . . " This is a dictionary definition of "insane." Do all three elements of this definition not ring a bell? The security of our country is at stake. The risk of nuclear war is at stake, as Mr. Morrell makes clear with his North Korea scenario, here. We haven't even got to Inauguration Day, and it seems time to invoke the 25th Amendment for removal of office of one deemed "unable to discharge the duties of the Presidency." Either this or impeachment by the House of Representatives and removal from office by the Senate. All we Americans are at serious risk.
2
Anytime a leader stops listening to its team of expert advisors, this has the potential to become a dangerous and toxic mix in the decision making process with painful outcomes. When not listening is enhanced with ignorance and lack of emotional intelligence then we might see disaster on an unknown scale. History repeats itself and this all has happened before. WWII and the Cold War is filled with examples when leaders engaged in such behavior.
7
I agree that Mr. Trump’s fact-free repudiation of the CIA was motivated by his grandiose claims of a "bigly" win, a pathological need to always be right, and his refusal to take in any new information. It's called narcissism, and given the raging disorder he has, we all will suffer for it, I agree.
Another possible motivation is that he is protecting his extensive business interests in Russia (see Junior's 2008 comments at NY real estate convention as reported in Wash. Post). Because more attention was paid to HRC's emails than where Trump's money is, we don't really know the extent of his financial motivation -- although the nominated Sec. of State is a clue.
Mr. Morell, you and others very convincingly explained how dangerous and unfit Trump is. Virtually every newspaper editorial board came out against him. Everyone knew all this, and yet he won. I'll never understand it.
Another possible motivation is that he is protecting his extensive business interests in Russia (see Junior's 2008 comments at NY real estate convention as reported in Wash. Post). Because more attention was paid to HRC's emails than where Trump's money is, we don't really know the extent of his financial motivation -- although the nominated Sec. of State is a clue.
Mr. Morell, you and others very convincingly explained how dangerous and unfit Trump is. Virtually every newspaper editorial board came out against him. Everyone knew all this, and yet he won. I'll never understand it.
3
None of Trump's behavior where this is concerned should come as a surprise; any news that doesn't paint him in the best possible light and/or boosts his ego or news that questions the legitimacy of his winning the Presidency fairly, any actions that anyone takes that doesn't improve his net worth, whether financially or psychologically, can't possibly be right in his mind. He is too slow a learner, and simply doesn't think before he speaks or tweets and certainly doesn't understand that people are listening to all his craziness and taking it seriously. He is not fit to be President and more people are going to suffer under his 'rule', both home and abroad, than any of us can imagine.
3
I have been terrified since November 8th and the cabinet picks and daily tweets have only exacerbated my fear. My friends and family tell me to "get over it." How can any sane person not see how vulnerable this man's colossal ego makes all of us? We have some dark days ahead. I suggest we all start learning Russian.
7
Donald Trump's public behavior continues to suggest instability.
His addiction to Twitter is incurable and it puts our country in serious danger. His taunts, denials and self congratulations, his strange need to communicate with foreign leaders, his unabashed and paranoid attacks on our free press and other perceived "enemies," his outright refusal to accept or even consider intelligence analyses, his total refusal to release his tax returns for public scrutiny, and his stubborn and foolish insistence on keeping his business empire to himself and his family are grounds for drawing up articles of impeachment.
Mr. Trump does not understand that in this country the president works for the people.
I think it's time to begin the painful and serious process of impeachment. The constitution is clear on what the grounds for removing, or as he would say, firing the president are --
"The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Trump's public remarks about Russia and Putin appear treasonous. His global and U.S. business transactions appear to include bribery. I am not sure if slander, misogyny, racism, prejudice, prevarication, and narcissism are High Crimes or just Misdemeanors. But, surely, they fall into one or the other category and preclude him from the presidency.
Thank you Michael Morell for warning us.
His addiction to Twitter is incurable and it puts our country in serious danger. His taunts, denials and self congratulations, his strange need to communicate with foreign leaders, his unabashed and paranoid attacks on our free press and other perceived "enemies," his outright refusal to accept or even consider intelligence analyses, his total refusal to release his tax returns for public scrutiny, and his stubborn and foolish insistence on keeping his business empire to himself and his family are grounds for drawing up articles of impeachment.
Mr. Trump does not understand that in this country the president works for the people.
I think it's time to begin the painful and serious process of impeachment. The constitution is clear on what the grounds for removing, or as he would say, firing the president are --
"The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Trump's public remarks about Russia and Putin appear treasonous. His global and U.S. business transactions appear to include bribery. I am not sure if slander, misogyny, racism, prejudice, prevarication, and narcissism are High Crimes or just Misdemeanors. But, surely, they fall into one or the other category and preclude him from the presidency.
Thank you Michael Morell for warning us.
685
Trump thinks he was elected to be a dictator.
2
Question: Can the public petition for impeachment of the president? Is there a procedure for doing this?
3
Impeachment is the worst option. It fits in perfectly with Putins intent to weaken and divide our nation.
Leak Trumps tax returns or revote this tainted election.
Leak Trumps tax returns or revote this tainted election.
3
What's more alarming to me than Trump's "disparagement"---to use James Clapper's term---of the intelligence community is the fact that so many congressional Republicans seem to be completely on board.
It's hard to know if this is merely a cynical ploy on their part to pander to the Trump voters in their respective districts, or whether they truly believe the Russians were not involved in the hacking. Regardless of the correct explanation, both are alarming. Alarming, certainly, but also about what we've come to expect from congressional Republicans.
It's hard to know if this is merely a cynical ploy on their part to pander to the Trump voters in their respective districts, or whether they truly believe the Russians were not involved in the hacking. Regardless of the correct explanation, both are alarming. Alarming, certainly, but also about what we've come to expect from congressional Republicans.
429
I hate to say it, but the first time a major terror attack occurs because the incoming president ignores warnings will be his unraveling. This is when we NEED our dedicated intelligence community more than ever. Because if the threat isn't derected, and he isn't advised, he'll be able to avoid responsibility by blaming the intel community. Also, if he does ignore advice, at least lives can be saved by warning responsible local officials.
Please don't give him that out. Please don't abandon your patriotic duty.
Please don't give him that out. Please don't abandon your patriotic duty.
WmC. How can you be so naïve after Iraq was shoved down our throats by the media? Our CIA foments wars. Over and out. Such a totally useless agency. They were handed the Boston bombers on a silver platter and did nothing. In furtherance of their own objectives they have attempted to continue down the path of regime building so as to line the pockets of all the contractors. Wake up and question the headlines in your establishment media. This Russian obsession is merely a rehashing of WMD in order to create conflicts all over the world.
1
Not that hard to know at all. Truly believe anything? Not those (mainly) guys.
Please hang in there, intelligence community.
Please know that I value your work to the utmost, and you all are now more important than ever, in this new dangerous world of sneaky maneuvers and lying leaders who are determined to trash this country and risk American lives.
(and I am referring to our own "leaders").
Please know we are relying on you.
Please know that I value your work to the utmost, and you all are now more important than ever, in this new dangerous world of sneaky maneuvers and lying leaders who are determined to trash this country and risk American lives.
(and I am referring to our own "leaders").
Please know we are relying on you.
380
It's already time to impeach Trump for incompetence. He's failed his test of leadership as president-elect. Can you imagine the outrage of Republican's if any Democrats did or said the exact same things? This goes to show how flimsy conservatives are in what they supposedly believe.
2
"In my opinion, Mr. Trump’s repudiation of the C.I.A. flows from his desire to protect his brand at all costs..." (etc etc). I disagree. I think it's the obvious first step for a demagogue. Discredit all authority and institutions who could be a check to your ambitions -- particularly those who would dare contradict you -- leaving you as arbiter of what is true and what isn't. Wake up, everybody. This is a classic demagogue we've (well,a minority of us, anyway) elected, and he's about to get about the business of doing what demagogues do.
1
The guy is too self involved that inspiring people who work for you is key to leadership. He wants "yes" men, not "this" men.
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”
― Upton Sinclair
― Upton Sinclair
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The Donald Tantrump presidency:
"Why did you do that Mr. President ?"
"Because I can."
"What if you are wrong?'
"I'm never wrong."
Get used to it.
"Why did you do that Mr. President ?"
"Because I can."
"What if you are wrong?'
"I'm never wrong."
Get used to it.
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His nature, illustrated by this most recent irrational attack of clearly very competent people, is the primary reason so many of us were opposed to electing him and are opposed to his presidency. Anyone that has ever held a leadership position easily spotted him as the grenade throwing, self aggrandizing, squeaky wheel that is the bane of many an organization. He is not a "solutions" guy. He is a "problems" guy and we all know any idiot can spot a problem. We also know that you leave those guys in supervisor hell where they can do little harm. We can only hope his supporters begin to wake up and limit his power. If they don't, it will be very scary to be an American.
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Don the Con knows things other people don't know. He knows more than the generals and he knows more than the CIA. He doesn't need to be briefed because he knows more than the briefers. Besides, he can always call Putin and get the real facts from him.
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Well said, Michael Morell.
It may soon take a lot of courage to criticize Mr. Trump in the NY Times as you just did. He has a nasty vindictive streak. I truly hope we are not on the road to a police state.
It may soon take a lot of courage to criticize Mr. Trump in the NY Times as you just did. He has a nasty vindictive streak. I truly hope we are not on the road to a police state.
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I hope they connect the dots to find out whether Trump is in fact a traitor to the United State of America. Unfortunately for the U.S., the Congress read Republicans are too reluctant to sacrifice their best bully ever to prevent the disemboweling of the agencies best positioned to protect the United States from foreign attacks. Further I fear that Trump is so deep in his bromance with Putin that he will share state secrets with Russia. I also wonder whether the Russian underground criminal element that operates in the United States has a relationship with The Donald, and whether his wealth is tied to dealings with them over the years.
Hey I used to think these were paranoid thoughts, but like it says in Macbeth, "I think the Donald doth protest too much" at least regarding the Russian role in hacking that was pretty was laid out before him today. His response that "Well it didn't affect the election." Shrug, wink, tweet.
Maybe the FBI and CIA should see whether the Congressional candidate data hacked from the Democrats made its way into Republican talking points regarding several Congressional races across the country. Might be worth looking into. Is it against the law to use stolen material to gain an advantage in a political race- like using a stolen car to break into a house you know will be vacant so you can get away without leaving a trace?
Hey I used to think these were paranoid thoughts, but like it says in Macbeth, "I think the Donald doth protest too much" at least regarding the Russian role in hacking that was pretty was laid out before him today. His response that "Well it didn't affect the election." Shrug, wink, tweet.
Maybe the FBI and CIA should see whether the Congressional candidate data hacked from the Democrats made its way into Republican talking points regarding several Congressional races across the country. Might be worth looking into. Is it against the law to use stolen material to gain an advantage in a political race- like using a stolen car to break into a house you know will be vacant so you can get away without leaving a trace?
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Trump's comments and behavior only make sense if you keep in mind his obvious personality disorder:
American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is indicated by the presence of five or more of the following:
1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance. Exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements;
2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love;
3. Believes that he or she is special and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with other special or high-status people or institutions;
4. Requires excessive admiration;
5. Has a sense of entitlement;
6. Is interpersonally exploitative;
7. Lacks empathy; is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others;
8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her;
9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.
For Trump, everyone else is a bit player in the story of his life.
He is a sociopath. And we are in deep trouble.
American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is indicated by the presence of five or more of the following:
1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance. Exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements;
2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love;
3. Believes that he or she is special and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with other special or high-status people or institutions;
4. Requires excessive admiration;
5. Has a sense of entitlement;
6. Is interpersonally exploitative;
7. Lacks empathy; is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others;
8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her;
9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.
For Trump, everyone else is a bit player in the story of his life.
He is a sociopath. And we are in deep trouble.
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I agree with all of this--and it may be even worse. He and Flynn may actually want to deliver America to Russia. And my question to the CIA is: What is the protocol followed when the president elect is a clear and present danger to the American republic? Doesn't anyone do anything? I feel frightened and endangered--the trolls writing venom against America in all the newspaper comment sections--Trump's audacity, his collusion with Russia during the campaign--Carter Page, Manafort, Flynn, Conway--I am afraid. And who will protect us against Trump if, as you say, and I agree, he is actually putting us all in danger? It is not enough to say that--we need to know what to do? Is anyone investigating the collusion that went on? Isn't that a crime?
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I'm more terrified than ever. The closer the inauguration is on the calendar, the more I fear for our safety. I'm so scared about what this means for our future and the world in which my children will live.
2
Liberal sheep are easily scared.
2
Not yet in office, Trump is wrecking havoc on every agency, every protocol.
We the people, need to think now, of who we want as POTUS when Trump blows things up literally and figuratively and gets impeached.
We the people, need to think now, of who we want as POTUS when Trump blows things up literally and figuratively and gets impeached.
2
Hundreds of other generals and intelligence officers have publicly supported Mr Mr. Morell's findings: "It is not a coincidence that Mr. Trump, who has never let facts get in the way of his opinion, would fight with the organization whose very reason for existence is to put facts on the table. He will have similar fights with other government agencies, and our country will suffer for it.". Then why is this clearly unqualified man who is the very definition of a clear and present danger to Our Country and Our Democracy permitted to assume Our Presidency, particularly when the majority of Our Citizens voted for someone else??? Are there no patriots left in Our Congress??? Are there no patriots left in the Republican party???
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At this point, we don't need to be hit in the head with a sledgehammer to know that we're dealing with an incoming President who is not only a raving narcissist, but who is quite probably in debt, in some way, to Vladimir Putin and/or his Russian Mafia oligarchs. In no case has he sided with our American intelligence community over Putin, praising him lavishly or defending him at every opportunity. I don't know what will happen to America when we have a sitting President who is in Putin's thrall for either egocentric or indebtedness or even potential blackmail reasons, but I do know that someone had better do something about it. CIA, maybe?
1
When Mike Morrell references Adolph Tolkachev it is most unfortunate. The gross incompetence of the CIA allowed an alcoholic,disgruntled, employee named Aldrich Ames to become the CIA's chief of counter intelligence for the Soviet Union. He was paid 2 million dollars by the Russians and he revealed the names of virtually every American spy in the Soviet Union, including Mr.Tolkachev. The spys were all executed. The failure of the CIA to detect Mr.Ames has been described as "criminal negligence"by current CIA professionals. Ames's devastating espionage is chronicled in Tim Weiner's National Book Award winning, "Legacy of Ashes The history of the CIA." For Mr. Morrell to use Adolph Tolkachev in his Op Ed, and not reveal the CIA's culpability and negligence in his death, is disingenuous and undercuts the credibility of Mr.Morrell and his column.
2
That someone so unfit to serve as this nations President with no experience in
government nor the military has achieved that office, is at the least a major wake-up call of how corrupted by money our electoral process at the highest levels has gotten. With his mental condition alone, Trump should never been run as President, but with his many failed business ventures and his alleged extensive ties to the Russians, I cannot understand why he has not been thoroughly investigated by now by a number of federal agencies. One thing is for certain; he is a national security risk - a disaster waiting to happen.
http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/12/19/the-curious-world-of-don...
government nor the military has achieved that office, is at the least a major wake-up call of how corrupted by money our electoral process at the highest levels has gotten. With his mental condition alone, Trump should never been run as President, but with his many failed business ventures and his alleged extensive ties to the Russians, I cannot understand why he has not been thoroughly investigated by now by a number of federal agencies. One thing is for certain; he is a national security risk - a disaster waiting to happen.
http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/12/19/the-curious-world-of-don...
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I can hardly wait for the Tweet reply to this article. It should be a doozy.
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John F. Kennedy had a "stormy" relationship with the CIA as well.
Just sayin...
Just sayin...
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Trump's comment today, "I will appoint a team to give me a plan within 90 days of taking office."
Making his own intelligence? You decide.
Making his own intelligence? You decide.
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I have 2 friends who worked for the CIA. I asked them how they thought Trumps attitude would affect current staff. Both agreed that it would be depressing to hear that the results of their efforts were challenged if not thought false. A "What's the use" attitude would be hard to avoid.
These are dedicated people and many risk their lives to gather information only to have it questioned? Trump has played it both ways as he customeraly does but this time it could have lasting consequences for our national security.
These are dedicated people and many risk their lives to gather information only to have it questioned? Trump has played it both ways as he customeraly does but this time it could have lasting consequences for our national security.
3
I would add one more personality characteristic that is deeply troubling. He rewards those who help him and punishes those who don't regardless of right or wrong or what the consequences of such behavior might be.
If Trump carries that out on the world stage, heaven help us as he is manipulated by enemies of the United States who extend friendship and aid to him.
If Trump carries that out on the world stage, heaven help us as he is manipulated by enemies of the United States who extend friendship and aid to him.
2
The CIA has done and in cases continues to do the following, all of which has harmed national security:
-Armed Islamists for the last 35 years (Afghanistan in the 1980s all the way to Syria today).
-Encouraged CIA assets to engage in drug trafficking so as to keep their funding off the books.
-Destabilized a variety of countries, including most of our neighbors during the Cold War and much of the Middle East in recent times.
-Launched programs of torture and drone strikes that served as potent recruiting tools for future terrorists.
I don't dispute that the Russians are behind the DNC hack, but the CIA should be weakened for the sake of our national security.
-Armed Islamists for the last 35 years (Afghanistan in the 1980s all the way to Syria today).
-Encouraged CIA assets to engage in drug trafficking so as to keep their funding off the books.
-Destabilized a variety of countries, including most of our neighbors during the Cold War and much of the Middle East in recent times.
-Launched programs of torture and drone strikes that served as potent recruiting tools for future terrorists.
I don't dispute that the Russians are behind the DNC hack, but the CIA should be weakened for the sake of our national security.
3
We have got to find a way to help Trump succeed as president, because as of now all he's shown is a propensity toward bald-faced incompetence that will endanger all Americans.
He needs a presidency with training wheels.
He needs a presidency with training wheels.
The Impossible Dream. The only solution is removal, by whatever means (Republican playbook).
1
Harry Truman said establishing the CIA was the biggest mistake of his Presidency. These unsubstantiated claims are yet another reason to show he was right.
3
Time to drain the Langley swamp.
2
This man must not be allowed to take office. He must be prevented at all costs from becoming president.
7
Why is Trump so adamant about defending Russia and Putin? Is it possible that Trump truly is a Manchurian Candidate or sorts? Was he compromised by Putin before the election? Some big land deal gone sour somewhere that is allowing Putin to manipulate him? Or has he sold his soul to the devil in return for a promise of support from Putin that would allow Trump to appear to be the great fixer in Europe and the Middle East? A deal, sorted before the election, on which Trump must now make good?
Even one year ago such an idea would have sounded laughably implausible – but it feels as if we have stepped into the rabbit hole. The US is leading the world into uncharted territory. Nothing makes sense anymore. Donald Trump as President of the United States? That idea alone is mind-boggling. The thought of Trump and Putin in league with each other is scarcely a leap once you pass that conceptual hurdle.
Even one year ago such an idea would have sounded laughably implausible – but it feels as if we have stepped into the rabbit hole. The US is leading the world into uncharted territory. Nothing makes sense anymore. Donald Trump as President of the United States? That idea alone is mind-boggling. The thought of Trump and Putin in league with each other is scarcely a leap once you pass that conceptual hurdle.
1
The President-elect has vandalized all norms of decency and democracy already, up to and including insulting a Gold-Star family. That he insults the very agency who is charged with keeping our country and it's citizens safe, while still stunning and uninformed, is along the same trajectory. As a patriot, I am not alone in feeling dread at this unprecedented behavior. Thank you for your courage, Mr. Morell.
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Mr. Trump's inability to even consider the validity of an opinion contrary to his own is frightening, to say the least. Why did he even bother with cabinet appointments and advisors at all? They are mere "window dressing" for a guy who seems to think that he alone, has all of the answers.
3