WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has exhibited a longstanding skepticism towards the nation’s intelligence agencies, accusing them of attempting to sabotage his previous term and electoral campaigns. As he makes a comeback to the White House, Trump’s ambitions to reform U.S. intelligence services sets the stage for a potential clash with one of the most clandestine and influential sectors of the government.
For the CIA and other intelligence entities, Trump’s second term could provide a fresh start in what has been a tumultuous relationship with a leader who has characterized them as part of the “deep state”— a term Trump uses for the numerous career civil servants dedicated to governmental operations, regardless of the incumbent president.
Trump perceives his return to power as a chance to follow through on commitments to purge officials he believes challenged his authority and criticized his decisions. The implications of the relationship with intelligence agencies are significant and will likely be reflected in his selections for top roles.
Current and former intelligence officials are closely monitoring the situation for signs indicating whether Trump will utilize U.S. intelligence in guiding foreign policy and national security decisions, or if he will fall prey to concerns from critics who fear he may leak classified information or weaponize intelligence against U.S. citizens.
Douglas London, a 34-year CIA veteran and now a Georgetown University instructor, commented, “If he arrives with a mindset for revenge and restructuring, it’s going to affect the agency. We might see personnel losses, and a newfound apprehension will arise: ‘What actions could politically endanger me?’” London also mentioned that intelligence officials typically strive to avoid any semblance of partisanship, prioritizing their constitutional obligations over political affiliations.
“There’s only so much agency personnel can do,” London remarked, “aside from demonstrating: ‘We’re dedicated, we’re part of your team, here to assist you.’”
Trump revealed his plans soon after winning his second term, stating, “We will eliminate all corrupt actors within our national security and intelligence apparatus, and there’s a substantial number of them. The agencies that have been weaponized will undergo a total overhaul.”
In a bid to ensure a smoother relationship with the newly elected president, intelligence agencies are emphasizing their nonpartisan objectives and their value to any incoming leader aiming to grasp complex global issues augmented by wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside a strengthening alliance between China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
While intelligence officials have not confirmed whether Trump has begun receiving intelligence briefings, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has stated that it adheres to established protocol for incoming presidents, a tradition dating back to Dwight Eisenhower.
“ODNI is acting in accordance with the tradition, established since 1952, of providing intelligence briefings to the president-elect,” the office declared.
Trump’s previous tenure and campaign efforts have frequently deviated from tradition, as he has displayed a level of hostility towards national intelligence agencies not seen since Richard Nixon, who believed these agencies were trying to subvert his presidency. Trump often expressed his discontent with the CIA and other intelligence bodies, alleging they sought to undermine his first administration and hinder his return to power. He further attributed skepticism regarding his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin to intelligence officials’ questioning.
During his presidency, Trump received fewer intelligence briefings compared to other recent presidents. In 2021, President Joe Biden noted that Trump should not continue receiving the standard intelligence briefings allotted to former presidents, describing him as “erratic.” Furthermore, Trump faced accusations of improperly handling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, a legal matter currently stalled in the courts as prosecutors aim to bring it to resolution post-election.
With his recent win, Trump has a mandate to implement his vision concerning national security and intelligence, as articulated by Elbridge Colby, who served as a deputy assistant secretary of defense during Trump’s first administration. Colby pointed out that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, coupled with escalating competition with China, indicate that Trump cannot afford to tread lightly with the nation’s intelligence and security agencies, likening the situation to the Titanic approaching an iceberg.
“If you steer the Titanic sharply, it’s going to cause chaos—people may fall, and damages to decor and goods will ensue,” Colby remarked on an internet show. “But that’s our current condition. … President Trump has positioned himself against the system.”
The appointments Trump will make for the CIA and other intelligence services will serve as initial indicators of his future intentions in these areas. Potential candidates for the CIA director role include John Ratcliffe, Trump’s former director of national intelligence, and Kash Patel, an aide who served at the Defense Department and the National Security Council during Trump’s prior term.
Patel has openly expressed his desire to leverage governmental authority to counter Trump’s critics and those who opposed his 2020 campaign efforts. “We will actively pursue those conspiring not just within government but also within the media,” Patel stated on Steve Bannon’s podcast last year. Trump and his supporters have consistently claimed without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen.
While a spokesperson for Patel did not offer comments, a representative for Trump’s transition expressed that the president-elect would announce appointments as decisions are made, but did not provide a timeline for such revelations.
