By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for CIA director, Rep. Mike Pompeo, said Thursday he won’t balk at investigating Russia over hacking and other issues.
His remarks are in direct contrast to Trump, who downplayed the seriousness of the hacks and said he wants to improve his relationship with Russia.
“So far, nothing in the C.I.A.’s 69-year history has prepared it to deal with a president who is as openly derisive of its work as Mr. Trump,” The New York Times reports.
Trump has publicly criticized America’s spies, which is “very dangerous,” said former CIA director Leon E. Panetta.
“It sends a message to our adversaries, to our enemies, that somehow they might be able to take advantage of us because we are so in conflict in terms of the president and the intelligence community,” Panetta said.
Pompeo said the CIA will continue to aggressively investigate Russia.
“I will continue to pursue foreign intelligence with vigor no matter where the facts lead,” Pompeo said. He added that he would do this “with regard to this issue and each and every issue.”
Under his leadership, Pompeo said the CIA would provide “accurate, timely, robust and clear-eyed analysis of Russian activities.”
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