President Trump’s willingness to politicize what should be apolitical organizations is worrisome…
Former NSA director Michael V. Hayden slammed President Donald Trump in an op-ed published today in the New York Times. Hayden claims that the relationship Trump has with the intelligence community is historically bad. While Hayden acknowledges that the relationship between presidents and the intelligence community is often intense, he believes that Trump is far quicker to dismiss and discredit agency judgments.
Hayden points to Twitter in particular, and Trump’s frequent attacks through the social media network. Trump has indeed tweeted remarks critical of the intelligence community. His recent claims that Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower has also dragged the FBI back into the spotlight. Further, many believe that top intelligence officials are being left out of important decisions, such as the President’s travel ban.
Who is Hayden, and Why Do His Claims Matter?
Hayden is a retired four star Air Force general, and served as the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) under Republican President George W. Bush. After retiring from the Air Force in 2006 following 41 years of service, Hayden took over as director of the Central Intelligence Agency, serving until the Obama administration took over.
Hayden has traditionally been viewed as a hawkish leader. In 2007, he lied to Congress, denying that torture was taking place. Back in 2008, Hayden warned that Muslim immigration to Europe would destabilize the continent. In 2013, he warned that any nuclear deal with Iran would mean that the United States has accepted Iranian nuclear enrichment.
Trump has enjoyed support among the more hawkish military leaders, but his continued attacks on the intelligence community have many worried. According to Hayden, the intelligence community tends to view itself as “apolitical,” and most intelligence workers want to work with presidents regardless of their political background.
Beyond remarks, President Trump has also been moving quicker to shake up the inner workings and staffing of the intelligence community. Usually, Presidents are slow and cautious in turning over staff, but President Trump has moved more aggressively.
Hayden does claim that Trump’s appointment for CIA director, Mike Pompeo, has helped smooth over tense relations. Still, President Trump’s willingness to politicize what should be apolitical organizations is worrisome. Frequently, the squabbles between the White House and the intelligence community has spilled out into public via Twitter, newspapers, and other sources.
This lack of unity could leave America exposed as attention is diverted away from fighting terrorists and other subversives, and is instead focused on internal drama.
Brian Brinker is an OpsLens Contributor and political consultant. Brinker has an M.A in Global Affairs from American University.
To contact or book OpsLens contributors on your program or utilize our staff for your story, contact [email protected].
