May 16, 2018

Wyden Statement on Gina Haspel Clearing The Senate Intelligence Committee, Despite Blatant CIA Cover-up of Her Record

Washington, D.C. –Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement after the Senate Intelligence Committee voted in favor of Gina Haspel’s nomination to serve as director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

“Gina Haspel and the CIA have committed one of the most blatant abuses of power in recent history, aided and abetted by a total failure of Congressional oversight. I have asked again and again for some justification for Ms. Haspel’s self-serving classification decisions and every response I have received, in classified and unclassified settings, has convinced me further that those decisions have nothing to do with protecting sources and methods, and only to do with protecting her own image.”

“I have very grave concerns about Ms. Haspel and believe her background makes her unsuitable to be CIA director.  My concerns are wide-ranging and are based on still-classified matters that are far broader than what has been reported in the press.  They are not just historical, but involve what kind of leader she is and will be going forward, if she is confirmed.”