NEW: @ODNIgov acting Dir @RichardGrenell announcing changes to way election-related threat information is shared w/candidates/campaigns/political organizations
"The US Intelligence Community (IC) will lead all intelligence-based threat briefings" per statement
"The US Intelligence Community (IC) will lead all intelligence-based threat briefings" per statement
"This change represents an important improvement and simplification to the threat notification process" per @ODNIgov statement
Newly confirmed National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director Bill Evanina to lead the effort
Newly confirmed National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director Bill Evanina to lead the effort
“US elections are the foundation of our nation’s democracy" per National Counterintelligence and Security Center Dir. Bill Evanina "We are committed to supporting this Administration’s whole-of-government effort to secure the 2020 election"
This is the second Friday in a row that @ODNIgov has announced changes
BREAKING: @ODNIgov acting Dir. @RichardGrenell announces organizational changes to the National Counterterrorism Center, "Based on the recommendations of career Intelligence Community (IC) officers..."
“We are facing a time in our nation’s history where the threat picture is far broader than terrorism, and the IC needs to shift resources to address a wide range of complex, sophisticated adversaries" per #NCTC acting Dir Lora Shiao
Per @ODNIgov changes being made to:
-the Directorate of Strategic Operational Planning
- the Directorate of Terrorist Identities
Resources are also being realigned to bring together "unique expertise on chemical, biological, radiological & nuclear threats from terrorist actors"
-the Directorate of Strategic Operational Planning
- the Directorate of Terrorist Identities
Resources are also being realigned to bring together "unique expertise on chemical, biological, radiological & nuclear threats from terrorist actors"
BREAKING: Reaction to changes at #NCTC from Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman @MarkWarner
“...our Committee wasn’t consulted on this change..."
“...our Committee wasn’t consulted on this change..."
"The #NCTC plays a critical role in fighting terrorism & keeping Americans safe" per @MarkWarner "We need to make sure that it continues to work as Congress intended, regardless of what the acting DNI decides to do while he’s temporarily in the job"
MORE: A Senate Intelligence Committee official says the lack of consultation comes despite previous requests for consultation from both the chair & vice chair - @SenatorBurr & @MarkWarner - after previous changes were made at #NCTC
MORE: The Senate Intelligence Committee official says ODNI did not consult the committee on changes regarding election security briefings for candidates/campaigns but "it’s possible that it’s a good change to have [#NCSC Director Bill] Evanina lead those briefings"
"When there's an intelligence threat briefing to a candidate [NCSC Dir Bill Evanina] will oversee that briefing" per the ODNI official
Likely Evanina would brief presidential candidates, their campaigns himself
Likely Evanina would brief presidential candidates, their campaigns himself
Former @ODNIgov Dir Dan Coats established the Election Threats Executive in July 2019 to "serve as the DNI’s principal adviser on threats to elections & matters related to election security" appointing Shelby Pierson, a 20-year intelligence community veteran, to the role
The changes announced today by ODNI & its acting director come against the backdrop of rising tensions between some lawmakers & the administration over the intelligence community
Last week, a Senate Intelligence Committee official said the acting DNI ignored requests from the committee chair & vice chair that he "consult with the Committee before making any further organizational changes”
A House Intelligence Committee official also said last Friday that intelligence officials failed to work w/them even though they "requested that ODNI consult with the Committees before making any significant organizational changes"
Responding last Friday's claim by the Intelligence Committee officials abt inadequate consultation/notification, an ODNI official said, “The ODNI is committed to keeping Congress informed. Congress was promptly made aware of this, consistent w/legal & policy requirements”
"The acting Director lacks relevant experience" the House intel committee official said at the time (last Friday/May 8), adding the ADNI's failure to cooperate "demonstrates both a lack of confidence in the nominee [Rep. John Ratcliffe] & contempt for the oversight process"
NEW: House Intel Committee Chair @RepAdamSchiff w/harsh words for acting @ODNIgov Dir @RichardGrenell re #NCTC
"Our Committee did not authorize these latest changes—announced, once again, late on a Friday—by a temporary and unqualified Acting Director of National Intelligence"
"Our Committee did not authorize these latest changes—announced, once again, late on a Friday—by a temporary and unqualified Acting Director of National Intelligence"
"Nor were HPSCI or SSCI even briefed or consulted, as required by law & requested by the Committees" per @RepAdamSchiff " The Acting DNI has a legal obligation to keep the Committee fully and currently informed of these changes & failed to do so"
"Many recent former #NCTC leaders expressed concerns about the potential for politicized changes to NCTC" per @RepAdamSchiff "We will therefore be reviewing these significant changes carefully, including to assess the operational impact they could have on our nation’s readiness"
Full statement from House Intelligence Committee Chairman @RepAdamSchiff
