In een open brief, zonder precedent, heeft een groot aantal voormalig directeuren van verschillende veiligheidsdiensten in de US, scherp afstand genomen van Trump na het intrekken van de security clearance van oud-collega Brennan.
As former senior intelligence officials, we feel compelled to respond in the wake of the ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions by the White House regarding the removal of John Brennan’s security clearances. We know John to be an enormously talented, capable, and patriotic individual who devoted his adult life to the service of this nation. Insinuations and allegations of wrongdoing on the part of Brennan while in office are baseless.
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Regardless, we all agree that the president’s action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances – and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech.
-William H. Webster, former Director of Central Intelligence (1987-1991)
-George J. Tenet, former Director of Central Intelligence (1997-2004)
-Porter J. Goss, former Director of Central Intelligence, (2005-2006)
-General Michael V. Hayden, USAF, Ret., former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2006-2009)
-Leon E. Panetta, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2009-2011)
-General David H. Petraeus, USA, Ret., former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2011-2012)
-James R. Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence (2010-2017)
-John E. McLaughlin, former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (2000-2004)
-Stephen R. Kappes, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2006-2010)
-Michael J. Morell, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2010-2013)
-Avril Haines, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2013-2015)
-David S. Cohen, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2015-2017)
Voormalig admiraal McRaven, onderwie Bin Laden->"Geronimo EKIA", was ook duidelijk in een openbaar statement waarin Trump wordt afgeserveerd;
“I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.”
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“Like most Americans, I had hoped that when you became president, you would rise to the occasion and become the leader this great nation needs. … Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities. Through your actions”—which he later described as “McCarthy-era tactics”—“you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and worst of all, divided us as a nation.”
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