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Robert Gates joins intelligence leaders condemning Trump for Brennan slap

Photo: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

Dr. Robert Gates has added his name to a stunning list of former intelligence officials who signed a letter criticizing President Trump's decision to revoke former CIA director John Brennan's security clearance.

Why it matters: Gates has served eight presidents, including stints as CIA director, and later as Defense Secretary for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. In the the letter, the former officials state that "decisions on security clearances should be based on national security concerns and not political views." They also call the decision "ill-considered and unprecedented."

Other signees:

  • William H. Webster, former director of Central Intelligence (1987-1991)
  • George J. Tenet, former director of Central Intelligence (1997-2004)
  • Porter J. Goss, former director of Central Intelligence (2005-2006)
  • General Michael V. Hayden, USAF, Ret., former director of the CIA (2006-2009)
  • Leon E. Panetta, former director of the CIA (2009-2011)
  • General David H. Petraeus, USA, Ret., former director of the CIA (2011-2012)
  • James R. Clapper, former deputy director of the CIA (2010-2017)
  • John E. McLaughlin, former deputy director of the CIA (2000-2004)
  • Stephen R. Kappes, former deputy director of the CIA (2006-2010)
  • Michael J. Morell, former deputy director of the CIA (2010-2013)
  • Avril Haines, former deputy director of the CIA (2013-2015)
  • David S. Cohen, former deputy director of the CIA (2015-2017)

Go deeper

Axios
Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Health: Coronavirus deaths reach 4,000 per day as hospitals remain in crisis mode — CDC warns highly transmissible coronavirus variant could become dominant in U.S. in March.
  2. Politics: Biden says, "We will manage the hell out of" vaccine distribution — Biden taps ex-FDA chief to lead Operation Warp Speed amid rollout of COVID plan — Widow of GOP congressman-elect who died of COVID-19 will run to fill his seat.
  3. Vaccine: Battling Black mistrust of the vaccines — "Pharmacy deserts" could become vaccine deserts — Instacart to give $25 to shoppers who get vaccine.
  4. Economy: Unemployment filings explode again — Fed chair: No interest rate hike coming any time soon —  Inflation rose more than expected in December.
  5. World: WHO team arrives in China to investigate pandemic origins.
Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

NRA declares bankruptcy, says it will reincorporate in Texas

Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association (NRA) speaks during CPAC in 2016. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

The National Rifle Association said Friday it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will seek to reincorporate in Texas, calling New York, where it is currently registered, a "toxic political environment."

The big picture: The move comes just months after New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit to dissolve the NRA, alleging the group committed fraud by diverting roughly $64 million in charitable donations over three years to support reckless spending by its executives.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Hans Nichols, author of Sneak Peek
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Biden: "We will manage the hell out of" vaccine distribution

Joe Biden. Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

President-elect Joe Biden promised to invoke the Defense Production Act to increase vaccine manufacturing, as he outlined a five-point plan to administer 100 million COVID-19 vaccinations in the first months of his presidency.

Why it matters: With the Center for Disease Control and Prevention warning of a more contagious variant of the coronavirus, Biden is trying to establish how he’ll approach the pandemic differently than President Trump.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow