Former CIA chief: Trump carrying out 'virtual decapitation' of intelligence agencies
Trump is installing loyalists at the head of American intelligence agencies rather than those with intelligence experience.
From the Feb. 21 edition of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”:
FORMER CIA DIRECTOR JOHN BRENNAN: What we’re seeing now is such an anomaly, such an aberration from what we have seen in the past about the importance of the independence of the intelligence community.
Two nonpartisan national security professionals have been removed at the helm of the intelligence community. Joe Maguire and then Andrew Holman, who is a senior CIA officer who was serving as Joe Maguire’s deputy, that is a virtual decapitation of the intelligence community.
And now who is going in there? Someone who has no experience, no credentials as far as the intelligence community is concerned, Richard Grenell. And so the intelligence professionals can only see this as yet one more example that they are not being allowed to do their job.
Previously: Trump’s new intelligence director has zero intelligence experience
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.
Recommended
Exclusive: Democratic lawmakers urge Trump to scrap disastrous tariff policy
“It’s not too late to change course and finally focus on what Americans actually care about,” the lawmakers said.
By Jesse Valentine - April 02, 2026
Trump calls affordability concerns a “hoax” despite dire economic data
Major retailers, including Walmart and Home Depot, say that Trump’s tariff policy is forcing them to raise prices.
By Jesse Valentine - December 03, 2025
New report: Thanksgiving costs surge as Americans face higher grocery, travel expenses
Turkey prices are up 24% from last year.
By Jesse Valentine - November 25, 2025
