Schiff asks acting intel chief for information on staff changes
House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff sent a letter to acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell requesting written explanations for recent staff changes at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). Schiff also asked whether Grenell tried to limit former intelligence community inspector general (IC IG) Michael Atkinson, who was fired by President Trump on Friday.
"President Trump did not nominate you for confirmation as permanent DNI, and it would be inappropriate for you to pursue any additional leadership, organizational, or staffing changes to ODNI during your temporary tenure," Schiff wrote. In February, after nominating Grenell as acting DNI, Mr. Trump then re-nominated Republican congressman John Ratcliffe of Texas to serve as permanent DNI, though it is also unclear when Ratcliffe's confirmation process might be initiated.
"Any effort, moreover, to remove or otherwise initiate personnel actions against apolitical career officers based on their perceived loyalty to the President would contravene civil service protections," Schiff continued.
Schiff requested information about dramatic staff reductions to the staff of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), including the departures of NCTC Acting Director Russell Travers and Acting Deputy Director Peter Hall. He also asked for all internal records pertaining to Travers' and Hall's removal.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/schiff-asks-acting-intel-chief-for-information-on-staff-changes/ar-BB12hsMB?li=BBnbfcL