Friend,

I know it’s hard to keep up with the endless stream of bad news, but there was a major story last month that may have slipped below your radar. As you may know, I’m currently the top Democrat on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

In that role, I regularly read classified reports from intelligence analysts who work on complex issues worldwide. These analysts work under both Republican and Democratic administrations, and their rigorous, apolitical reporting plays a critical role in informing Congressional oversight of America’s intelligence apparatus.

That’s why I was stunned to learn [[link removed]] that a senior official working under Tulsi Gabbard at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence ordered intelligence analysts to change their conclusion about the political environment in Venezuela. Why were they ordered to alter their reports? Because the original, unbiased analysis could make President Trump and Gabbard look bad.

Apolitical intelligence gathering must inform political decision-making, not the other way around. We’re in serious trouble if analysts can no longer provide policymakers with a truthful assessment of critical issues around the globe.

Here’s a sliver of good news: Congress is still a co-equal branch of government, and we have a responsibility to get to the bottom of what happened here. That senior official who insisted that the reports out of Venezuela be altered was chosen by Trump to lead the National Counterterrorism Center – but first, he’ll need to be confirmed by the Senate. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will exercise their full power in getting to the bottom of exactly how Mr. Kent has politicized America’s intelligence gathering efforts.

— Jim

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