Source: REUTERS
Fresh revelations from The New York Times are fueling concerns that Donald Trump’s intelligence apparatus is being used to serve political goals rather than national security, with leaked emails pointing to behind-the-scenes manipulation of intelligence assessments.
The controversy centers on a directive reportedly made by Joe Kent, acting chief of staff to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, instructing analysts to revise a classified assessment about the Venezuelan government’s alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua gang. This came after the National Intelligence Council (NIC) concluded months ago that there was no evidence Nicolás Maduro’s regime is coordinating with the gang—contradicting a key claim made repeatedly by Trump.
“To justify his administration’s plans to remove immigrants to a Salvadoran megaprison, the president has spent months insisting that Venezuela’s government controls the Tren de Aragua gang,” wrote MSNBC’s Steve Benen. “Among the problems with this assertion is the simple fact that U.S. intelligence has come to the opposite conclusion.”
According to the Times, Kent pushed for a reassessment after the NIC failed to align with the White House’s narrative. “In other words, the National Intelligence Council analyzed the classified intelligence and provided a reality-based assessment,” Benen explained. “Soon after, a Trump appointee, unsatisfied with the available facts, effectively asked the council to do it again.”
While the administration has defended Kent’s request as routine, the leaked emails appear to validate complaints from intelligence officials who say they are being pressured to deliver findings that align with Trump’s political messaging.
“There’s a growing body of evidence that Team Trump is politicizing intelligence in ways that could pose dramatic risks,” Benen warned. He noted that accurate information is essential for presidential decision-making and criticized Gabbard’s move to reportedly fire NIC leadership after they refused to alter their findings. “That was ridiculous and sent a dangerous signal to other intelligence professionals,” Benen added.
Benen also urged the White House to immediately withdraw Kent’s nomination to lead the National Counterterrorism Center, citing concerns over his ties to extremist groups. “Let’s not overlook that apparently some intelligence insiders seem eager to let the public know about these behind-the-scenes abuses,” he wrote.
The leaks, according to critics, reflect growing internal unease with the politicization of national security and the direction of Gabbard’s leadership.
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