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February 24, 2017

Thompson: Intel Professionals Must Not Be Used as Political Pawns to Fulfill Misguided Campaign Promises

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly regarding media reports that President Trump demanded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) build legal standing for his Muslim travel ban.

Ranking Member Thompson released the following statement along with the letter:

“I am concerned that this mandate from the White House, which some intelligence officials see as a politicization of intelligence, will exacerbate already low morale and retention rates at DHS.  This has an impact on the Department and our Nation’s security readiness. These professional intelligence officials cannot be ostracized, reprimanded, or used as political pawns to fulfill ill-conceived campaign promises. Secretary Kelly, President Trump, and the men & women at DHS have a responsibility to ensure that our country’s intelligence and national security policies are based on facts and evidence and neither of those can be altered to fit the narrative of prejudice and discrimination.”

Link to Letter

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Media contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978