By the Numbers: Former U.S. Intelligence Officials Discuss Personal Opinion versus Professional Obligation

摘要

Traditionally, former intelligence officials have informed the public about the history, function, or mission of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). They have published memoirs, given speeches, or instructed students at institutions of higher education.1 In recent years, however, former intelligence officials appear to have a more prominent role in both public and political discourse. For example, at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Michael J. Flynn, urged the attending crowd to join him in the chant, "Lock her up!" referring to then presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton.2 Former acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael Morell, and former CIA and National Security Agency (NSA) director, Michael Hayden, also criticized then-U.S. presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, while serving as advisors to his opponents.3