Top US security and intelligence officials testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Photo: Reuters
A dispute which has lasted for more than a year between the CIA and the ODNI concerning the extent of their powers, the modalities of sharing data and allegations of politicization of the work is disrupting the analysis of security.
As the main contributor to National Intelligence Council reports, the CIA has stopped participating in certain assessments of this intelligence analysis service, placed under the authority of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), notably reports relating to the war in Iran. Last year, the CIA even temporarily suspended the publication of National Intelligence Council reports on the internal channels of the intelligence community it controls.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is an independent agency established in 2004, charged with assisting the Director of National Intelligence in directing the intelligence community, composed of 18 closely coordinated agencies, to gather information, protect national security, and support policy American foreigner. However, some sources indicate that the CIA and ODNI operate as two separate analytical agencies.
The breakdown in the partnership came at a critical time when the United States faced a series of national security challenges, ranging from the Iranian conflict and Russia’s war in Ukraine to China’s military and economic expansion. It also demonstrates that the major reforms and restructuring implemented by the United States after September 11, 2001, failed to address fundamental systemic problems.
Weakening of intelligence coordination
According to some sources, the current conflict between the agencies began in February 2025, when Tulsi Gabbard took over as director of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and strengthened her control over the preparation of the president’s daily report. Relations deteriorated after Gabbard’s decision to create the Director’s Initiative Group, charged with evaluating structure and human resources, promoting the declassification of documents, and investigating abuses of power and allegations of politicization within the community. information.
However, the CIA, under the leadership of John Ratcliffe, argued that the ODNI initiative contravened traditional security and information sharing protocols. The conflict escalated when Gabbard fired two CIA officers holding senior positions within the National Intelligence Council. The ODNI director then revealed the identity of a CIA agent operating clandestinely abroad; simultaneously, she revoked access to classified information from 37 current officials and withdrew the security clearances of several former officials, accusing them of politicization and intelligence leaks.
Last month, tensions between the two camps came to light when a CIA agent, a member of the Director’s Initiative Group, testified before the Senate that the agency and leaders of the intelligence community had blocked the group from accessing information about the origins of COVID-19. This revelation sparked a heated controversy within American intelligence agencies, leading to an investigation by the Office of Inspector General of the Intelligence Community and parliamentary hearings.
Faced with rumors of internal tensions, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle reaffirmed President Trump’s full confidence in the excellent national security team. He said media attempts to sow discord would fail.
On June 2, U.S. President Donald Trump named Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, acting director of national intelligence. This decision caused considerable controversy, because Mr. Pulte (38) has no experience in national security matters and still holds positions at the head of two real estate financing giants, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
MAI QUYEN (According to Reuters, MSN News)
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