UPDATE: Trump to Clean Intel House Who's Next to Be Ousted in His One-Man Rule Quest

Trump's #1 Target: U.S. Intelligence Agencies

(They Protect America Every Single Day)

More breaking and astonishing news on DNI replacement saga:

Update (2nd here) from The Hill here highlights here in part:

Trump abruptly dropped plans to tap Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) to replace outgoing DNI Dan Coats. He has not yet announced who will be Acting DNI after Coats leaves later this month. That move fuels concerns that Trump will try to circumvent a federal statute requiring that current Deputy Sue Gordon assume the duties.

Trump said: “Sue will be there now and certainly she will be considered for the acting.”

But, a person familiar with the process told The Hill earlier that the White House is weighing removing Gordon, a career intelligence officer, so that Trump can name someone else as acting DNI.

That move to pass over or oust Gordon would be met with frustration among lawmakers on Capitol Hill who have built relationships with her. 

Some have emphasized their respect for Gordon in recent days and noted that the law states she should replace Coats when he leaves his post on August 15. 

For example, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC) told reporters: “The statute is very clear, the deputy takes over as acting.” When he was asked what would happen if the White House ignores the statute, Burr said: “It’s a legal issue.”

Many legal experts agree, as they point out the 2004 “Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act,” which states that the principal deputy director of national intelligence “shall act” as DNI during a vacancy in that position.

Further, that 2004 law outweighs the “Federal Vacancies Reform Act,” another law that gives the president broader discretion generally in choosing officials to fill acting roles. 

Update (1st here): Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) withdraws for DNI nomination based on lies and total lack of experience - except kissing up to Trump.

Original post from here:

CNN reports that Trump is bypassing traditional protocols in appointing an Acting DNI for departing DNI Dan Coats, as Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) awaits his Senate confirmation hearing.

Historical Background: Under normal tradition and established protocols by any president, Coats’ Deputy Intelligence Director, Sue Gordon, would be the logical choice either as a temporary or permanent replacement for Coats. However, some reports say Trump has a problem with Ms. Gordon.

(My insert: She is a woman highly educated and experienced, and that never sits well with Trump).

Plus, even as a temporary DNI, “she would NOT be an unquestioning loyalist that Trump is seeking like in Ratcliffe and other acting heads he has in place which right now is historical.” 

Therefore, the Trump is “reviewing whether he can legally choose an acting director outside the line of succession.” 

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee, said he would be “…shocked if Mr. Gordon weren’t selected as acting DNI as she is more than capable of handling that job.”

Note: Prior to now serving as the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (Dep DNI) Gordon worked in the CIA for 25 years.

According to sources reported on by Natasha Bertrand at Politico have said: “Ms. Gordon has been told that she will not be considered for the position, and that came as a surprise to her and other intelligence  professionals.”

My 2 cents: Just because a president, any president, can or is able to invoke power of the office in any situation like this, does NOT mean he or she has to or must invoke well-established processes for his/her self-pleasure to hire only lackeys (e.g., only yes-men and women) for his every whim.

Sadly, this is the case with all Trump appointees. But, that does not serve or benefit the country as a whole in any way. This is another sad move by Trump in his quest for “one-man” rule over the country.

Noteworthy: Trump now has over a dozen high-level “acting” officials leading agencies. FYI: “Acting” officials can serve for no more than 210 days under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.

Trump has expressed a preference for acting officials saying on Face The Nation in February: “It’s easier to make moves when they’re acting. I like acting because I can move so quickly. It gives me more flexibility.”

My other post on this is here. 

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