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Experts agree: there's no national emergency at the southern border. wapo.st/2VjQOaG Claiming that there is one, when there are no facts to support it, is destructive in a host of important ways. 
Politicizing intelligence and national security is always a bad idea. It leads to distortion of facts, misleading arguments, bad policy, and worsening foreign relations. It can undermine Constitutional protections and - in the worst cases - lead to unnecessary loss of life.
One of the most disheartening things about natsec and intel discourse these days is seeing people try to manipulate natsec/intel/LE issues for domestic partisan purposes. That misunderstands natsec culture, and does a disservice to the nation.
Every true professional in the intel/ natsec business looks for facts without fear or favor. The nonpartisan culture of the IC and the Hatch Act's "further restrictions" for these personnel are hugely important to the integrity of natsec, intel, and LE. bit.ly/2TgoFE1
If you're wondering why you don't hear current intel/ natsec officials speak out, it's bc they recognize the gravity of their roles and the importance of staying out of the partisan fray. So thanks are due to all of the formers who signed the memo: wapo.st/2VjQOaG
Policymakers can and should have differing views about what to do based on facts. But those policy proposals and decisions should be grounded in objectively accurate, verifiable facts, or - where facts are uncertain (intel is hard) - on best-available, policy-neutral information.
It's disheartening that this has to be said. But it's important enough to say it again: Politicizing intelligence and national security information for domestic partisan purposes is always a bad idea. It never leads to any good outcome, and it betrays the integrity of our nation.
