by Jeff Childers
Yesterday evening, the Wall Street Journal ran a story headlined, “The CIA Is About to Get a Trump Makeover.” The sub-headline added, “Spy agency’s workforce receives buyout-style offer.”
There was a time, not so long ago, when Americans largely loved our Central Intelligence Agency. Indeed, the movie that started today’s post, Sum of All Fears, portrayed selfless CIA agents courageously saving the world from nuclear armageddon. Again.
The Sum of All Fears was practically (perhaps not accidentally) a CIA recruitment film.
But having watched the disastrous Trump 1.0 presidency and knowing the CIA’s role in its Crossfire Hurricane operation, the one that tried and failed to effect a coup, Americans’ mood toward the intelligence agency has, shall we say, soured. It worsened when, thanks to Trump 1.0 declassification, we discovered Kennedy’s assassin was on the CIA’s payroll mere weeks before JFK’s killing—with no coherent explanation forthcoming from the Agency.
Trump’s initial offer for federal employees to take early buyouts last week explicitly exempted workers with “national security roles.” That exception included all the intelligence services. But yesterday, all CIA employees received the same offer, becoming the first national security service to do so.
Everyone, including the WSJ, considers that offer a signal that the Agency is next in line for the bureaucratic pruning shears.
But Trump may have quietly sent what may be an even stronger warning message to the intelligence agencies on his first day in office. On January 20th, the President signed an executive order classifying Mexican and South American drug cartels as terrorist organizations. That designation authorized covert and overt military force as part of the endless “War on Terror.”
Accordingly, WaPo’s article added that, under Trump’s agenda, “the CIA will also take on a significant role fighting Mexican drug cartels.”
The second it happened on January 20th, Deep State watchdog Mike Benz immediately recognized that the designation of the cartels as terrorists was a direct assault on the Swamp. As Benz noted, the cartels are largely Deep State assets. So Trump has ordered the Deep State to fight itself.
As Lincoln said, “a House divided against itself cannot stand.” Lincoln was quoting Jesus, who was talking about Satan’s house. In other words, a Deep State divided against itself cannot stand either. Absent a miracle to save it, the Swamp can forget about standing. The best it can probably muster is a slow, painful crawl.
Checkmate again.
Jeff
I question your reasoning. CIA has been liberal since “Wild Bill”. I will bet that was before you were born!
A leftist named George ran it almost 50 years ago. “Deep State” will NOT “fight itself”!
Bush “Republican” Milly ( leftist Col o6) who got his Flag from GWB !)is Prima Facia evidence that “Deep State’ has been, and still is GWB/GHWB’s tool.
“Wild Bill” hated Ian Fleming! Bill out ranked Ian. Ian ignored Bill’s orders. Ian said, “When Bill’s men have done as much damage to liberals – OK Ian said Commies!-in a month’s my men do daily I may pay attention to him!”!
Since you brought up “W” hating Clancy I will show how they relate; and relate close!
The GWB wannabe Atlee had Parliament interrogate Fleming for betraying “state secrets” in his books. Ian presented docs showing what he described was ‘common knowledge” available ;to all Brits.
In 1984 GWB’s folk did the same thing to Tom. He documented how each item Bush’s pals attacked him on was available in public libraries!
Both Atlee and his “role model” “W” failed.
The CIA will never obey a conservative! NEVER!
Is GWB’s boy named milley?