CIA Director John Ratcliffe announced Wednesday that the agency is undergoing a restructuring effort directed by President Trump, aimed at eliminating well-documented politicization within the intelligence community.
“At your direction, the CIA has deployed our unique covert action authorities in various places and continents, to successfully advance your national security and foreign policy priorities,” Ratcliffe told Trump during a Cabinet meeting. He cited efforts to advance peace, end wars, combat terrorism, and block drug trafficking. “You and I both know, Mr. President, that you have had a profound positive impact on America’s national security posture,” he added, though he declined to share specific operational details in front of the media.
Ratcliffe emphasized that the restructuring was focused on returning the CIA to its core mission and removing political interference from bad actors in the past. He thanked Trump for the opportunity to lead the changes but offered no further specifics.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard echoed the focus on depoliticization, stating her intent to end “the weaponization” of the intelligence community. “Politicization of the intelligence community has gone on for far too long,” Gabbard said. She pointed to recent reforms, including three criminal referrals for leaks of classified information, 11 more leak cases under investigation, and 67 revoked security clearances. She also cited ongoing efforts to declassify documents and investigate issues involving election integrity, FISA abuse, and Crossfire Hurricane.
“Under your leadership, we are working every day to bring about that transparency and accountability that the American people deserve,” Gabbard told Trump.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz also spoke during the meeting, referencing intelligence operations under Trump’s leadership that led to the capture of key terrorist targets. That included the apprehension of the man believed responsible for the Abbey Gate bombing during the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Ratcliffe confirmed that the CIA provided the intelligence that led to the capture of the suspect, who is now being prosecuted. Trump praised U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi for moving forward with the prosecution.
The Justice Department recently announced that ISIS-K member Mohammad Sharifullah, known as “Jafar,” has been arrested and extradited to the United States on terrorism charges related to the bombing. He appeared briefly in federal court in Virginia.
