Thread by @themarketswork

1) As should be expected, I'm seeing a fair bit of chatter about DNI Coats following the announcement that he will be replaced by Ratcliffe.

So, time for a quick thread, although it may not prove particularly popular.

2) A lot of commentary that Coats is a card-carrying member of the Swamp and a chief hindrance to declass process.

But this fails to make much sense to me.

3) Coats was chosen by President Trump and, more importantly, could be replaced by President Trump at any time.

Coats has been DNI for 2-years - probably longer than he expected when appointed.

4) People often forget that Coats had little in the way of background and as a result, worked closely - very closely - with NSA Dir Mike Rogers.

If anyone had a good read on Coats it was almost certainly Admiral Rogers.

5) Coats was also personally responsible for an extremely import declassification in May 2017, that allowed for immense insights into what had been transpiring at the FISA Court.

The 99-page April 26, 2017 FISA court ruling.
dni.gov/files/document…

6) I've covered this extremely important ruling - and Admiral Rogers' role - a number of times, including here:
themarketswork.com/2018/04/05/the…

7) For those curious, here is the video of Admiral Rogers’ retirement ceremony.

Coats comments begin at the 29:10 mark.

8) Moving forward, AG Barr was confirmed in Feb '19 and was granted declass authority by President Trump on May 23.

Barr said he was the one who asked for it.

9) Barr also confirmed that he had the ongoing support from our intelligence agencies—and specifically named Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats as being supportive.

10) Coats resignation letter notes that he has "overseen the selection of new, extremely capable leaders across the IC"

From what I know, this is accurate.

He also notes, "as we have previously discussed, I believe it is time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life."

11) Coats resignation is effective August 15th - not immediately.

President Trump tweeted "I would like to thank Dan for his great service to our Country."

He hasn't always been so kind to those leaving.

12) Coats was almost certainly not a perfect fit as DNI and he may have proceeded more cautiously than some may have liked.

He himself noted that he was at first overwhelmed by his position - thus his initial heavy reliance on Admiral Rogers.

13) But the DNI is centerpiece position.

If Coats was somehow acting as a true "protector of the Swamp" AG Barr, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dunford and former NSA Dir Rogers all would have known.

As would President Trump.

14) Side note: Just because members of Congress (Legislative Branch) complain that Coats (Executive Branch) is not acting quickly enough, does not make it so.

15) Finally, the notion that President Trump was being blocked by a man that he appointed - and could remove at any point in time - is a viewpoint I find hard to understand.

/End