“Obviously, it’s not a good situation. Because there is a lack of trust between the president and the intelligence community, and between the intelligence community and the president. And, you know, every time he demeans the intelligence community or accuses it of leaks or accuses it of doing things that it’s not doing, that obviously impacts on the morale of that institution.”
Former C.I.A. Director Leon Panetta
Former C.I.A. Director Leon Panetta
February 20, 2017 — Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that intelligence officers were withholding sensitive information from the President out of concerns that it could be compromised. Former C.I.A. Director Leon Panetta discusses the news and the ‘leaks’. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today
“Gabbard and Patel should take a good look at the role that Zaid had played in the Lockerbie affair.”
Intel Today (February 20, 2025)
UPDATE (March 23 2025) — Lockerbie, Hunter Biden & Havana Syndrome – Mark Zaid, the Lawyer at the Center of It All, Loses His Security Clearance.
“A cada cerdo le llega su San Martín.” (“Every pig gets its San Martín.”) — The Spanish proverb refers to the traditional slaughtering of pigs around Saint Martin’s Day (November 11th) in Spain. It is often used metaphorically to mean that everyone eventually faces the consequences of their actions—especially those who abuse the power entrusted to them by the people.
On March 10, 2025, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revoked security clearances and barred access to classified information for the 51 signers of the Hunter Biden disinformation letter. Interestingly, Gabbard also revoked security clearance for Mark Zaid.
“The move to revoke my security clearance, which occurred without any due process as required by well-established laws, is simply another example of the authoritarian nature of this administration,” Zaid said.
“President Trump is clearly following Shakespeare’s lead in Henry VI in being afraid of the lawyers who would hold him accountable. Unfortunately for him, all this does is embolden me to fight back even harder.”
This is a huge development because their misleading letter was used to suppress a legitimate story before the 2020 election, directly shaping public perception. The fact that they misused their intelligence credentials to deceive the public is exactly why people have lost trust in these institutions. And yes, “A cada cerdo le llega su San Martín.” Actions have consequences, and it looks like their reckoning has arrived.
As you know, Intel Today believes that the same people who signed the letter also promoted the Havana Syndrome hoax to fabricate a Trump-Putin conspiracy and paralyze the White House. This hoax had devastating consequences for the State Department, causing real illnesses among hundreds of officials. Gabbard has promised to uncover the truth behind the Havana Syndrome hoax.
There is no longer any doubt that a coordinated effort by deep-state operatives was at play—both to protect Biden before the 2020 election and to sabotage Trump’s presidency using the Havana Syndrome disinformation campaign.
A network of intelligence officials, lawyers, and media operatives worked together to manipulate public perception. Is this not a coup d’état?
And if all this weren’t enough, a judge has just delayed the trial of Abu Agila Masud to examine new evidence that raises serious questions about the Lockerbie affair.
Kash Patel has been targeting Robert Mueller and William Barr, both of whom played key roles in the Lockerbie case. (Mueller was the lead prosecutor pushing the Libyan involvement narrative. Barr pushed for Masud’s extradition during Trump’s presidency, reviving the case after decades.)
If Patel is serious about exposing FBI corruption, Lockerbie could be part of a much larger reckoning.
Mark Zaid was involved in Lockerbie early in his career, and now—decades later—the case is back in the spotlight, just as he loses his security clearance. Coincidence? Or destiny?
This is exactly the kind of bombshell that could shake America. If Trump and his allies push for full transparency — declassifying documents, exposing intelligence manipulation — it could expose the corruption of intelligence agencies, reveal how the FBI & CIA have misled the public for decades, and show the American people that both parties have been complicit in deception.
Does Trump have the right people around him to fight this battle? Will he go all in on exposing the deep state, or will the truth be silenced once again? This could be the biggest political story in decades — but only if someone has the courage to bring it all into the light.
If proven, this coup would undoubtedly be the biggest political scandal since Iran-Contra. Just as the secret hostage deal with Tehran paved the way for Irangate, the ‘Lockerbie Solution’ was its inevitable consequence. The Biden-Havana Syndrome strategy followed as yet another desperate attempt to manipulate the public. Same people, same techniques—only the stakes grew higher. And like a mad gambler, they now risk losing it all. TRUTH never dies…
PS: For what it’s worth, I have been told that my knowledge of Lockerbie may be needed in preparation for the upcoming trial. Once again, it would be straightforward to prove Massud’s innocence—but the real question is: Are people truly ready for the truth? Time will tell…
END of UPDATE
“In everything, one must consider the end.”
Jean de La Fontaine
UPDATE (February 20, 2025) — A few days ago, I reminded you that Kash Patel has listed 60 individuals he believed to be part of the “deep state” entrenched bureaucracy, including Bill Barr and Robert Mueller – both of whom played key roles in the Lockerbie investigation.
And without surprise, John Brennan, the former CIA Director under President Barack Obama, is included at the top of this list.
I think that it is obvious that all members of this cabal have never considered that Trump could win a second term. This incredible incompetence speaks volumes as a serious intelligence analyst would always consider all the possible outcomes of a dangerous move.
Today, we know that this cabal of former intelligence officials, but also a specific group of Central Intelligence Agency officers, wrote a letter to influence the outcome of the 2020 US Presidential election. According to these people, Hunter Biden’s laptop had “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.”
The CIA letter was a piece of disinformation designed to hide a very ugly truth. The Hunter Biden’s laptop story is 100% factual. And yet…
“That letter provided Democrats, journalists and social-media companies the excuse to dismiss and censor evidence of Hunter’s influence peddling, removing an obstacle from his father’s path to victory.” [Biden’s CIA Assist in the 2020 Presidential Election — Wall Street Journal (May 11 2023)]
On the very same day — October 19 2020 — GQ Magazine published an amazing story about a former CIA officer — Marc Polymeropoulos — who knew for certain that Russia was responsible for the Havana Syndrome attacks against CIA personnel and US diplomats.
The story suggests that although the US Government and the CIA are fully aware that Russia is behind these attacks, the Trump administration remained silent because of the infamous collusion between the White House and Moscow!
The CIA letter was written by former CIA acting director Mike Morell, and … former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos.
In order to publish the CIA letter, Morell contacted Mark Zaid to handle the declassification procedure, promising him in advance that it would go smoothly and quickly. In other words, the letter would be published right in time to influence the November 3 2020 election.
The Havana Syndrome saga is a sophisticated hoax that was initiated during Trump’s presidential campaign and ended with his presidency.
Cui bono? What was the purpose of this disinformation campaign? To whom did it benefit? Ask yourself a simple question:
Who had Motive (a reason to commit the crime), Means (the ability and tools necessary to commit the crime), and Opportunity (adequate chances to commit the crime)?
Donald Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said she looks forward to to solve the Havana Syndrome mystery.
“I look forward, if confirmed as director of national intelligence, to addressing this, of course, making sure that those who have been impacted are getting the care that they need and deserve, but getting to the truth behind how and why this has occurred,” she answered when asked about her approach by Senator Roger Wicker.
The time has come to unveil the truth about the Havana Syndrome story.
And I will offer a piece of advice. Solve the Lockerbie case, and you have all the culprits of the Havana Syndrome Hoax. Gabbard and Patel should take a good look at the role that Zaid had played in the Lockerbie affair.
As I have demonstrated, PT/35(b) is the most expensive forgery in history. TRUTH never dies. Let that sink in…
END of UPDATE
“Either we need a new election or hang CIA Director John Brennan for putting out disinformation.”
Former CIA operative Robert Baer
According to the WSJ piece – “Spies Keep Intelligence From Donald Trump on Leak Concerns” — the decision to withhold information underscores deep mistrust between Intelligence Community and President.
The article is based on discussions with current and former officials familiar with the matter.
“An angry President Trump called CIA Director Mike Pompeo and yelled at him for not pushing back hard enough against reports that the intelligence community was withholding information from the commander-in-chief.”
The CIA then drafted a strongly worded statement rebutting the claim:
“We are not aware of any instance when that has occurred. It is CIA’s mission to provide the President with the best intelligence possible and to explain the basis for that intelligence.
The CIA does not, has not, and will never hide intelligence from the President, period.”
Leon Panetta served as both CIA Director and Secretary of Defense under former President Barack Obama, and worked as the White House chief of staff under former President Bill Clinton.
“One is reminded of Montaigne’s acerbic comment: ‘Men under stress are fools, and fool themselves.’ ”
Michael Crichton The Andromeda Strain
Hiding Intel from the President?
Panetta argues that the recent report in the Wall Street Journal claiming that intelligence officers were withholding sensitive information from the president out of concerns that it could be compromised is not believable.
“In my experience, I have never had intelligence officers who have a responsibility to provide full information to the president and to other leaders in the country ever withhold a piece of intelligence.”
“Your first responsibility is to provide the truth to the president. And if you start thinking about how the president’s going to use it, what he’s going to do with that information, then frankly, you’ll never provide the truth to the president. And that’s what intelligence officers are supposed to do.”
The ‘Leaks’
According to Panetta,
“The leaks aren’t necessarily exclusive to the Trump administration. I’ve been involved in politics for a long time.
And I’ve served two presidents and have worked under nine presidents. Leaks are a problem that every president has complained about.”
Blaming the President
Panetta believes that President Donald Trump’s friction with the intelligence community is fostering a “lack of trust” atmosphere and damaging morale.
“The most important thing you can do to stop leaks is to establish loyalty between the people that [sic] are working for you and the president of the United States.
If you establish that sense of loyalty then he won’t have to worry about leaks.”
Things to Remember…
For now, let me ask you a question: Who has been publicly discrediting one presidential candidate while praising the other?
Allow me to remind you what three former CIA Directors have said about Trump in the last months of the 2016 Presidential campaign and what the then CIA Director did once Trump was elected.
Former CIA Director Michael Hayden (General) — May 30, 2006 – February 12, 2009
Former acting CIA director Michael Morell said that Putin has cleverly recruited Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation.
“I’d prefer another term drawn from the arcana of the Soviet era: polezni durak. That’s the useful fool, some naif, manipulated by Moscow, secretly held in contempt, but whose blind support is happily accepted and exploited.
That’s a pretty harsh term, and Trump supporters will no doubt be offended. But, frankly, it’s the most benign interpretation of all this that I can come up with right now.” [3 November 2016]
Former CIA Director Leon Panetta — February 13, 2009 – June 30, 2011
“I have a lot of concerns of his qualities of leadership or lack thereof. (…) Trump truly is not qualified to be president of the United States.” [July 2016]]
Former (Acting) CIA Director Michael Morell — November 9, 2012 – March 8, 2013
“On Nov. 8, I will vote for Hillary Clinton. Between now and then, I will do everything I can to ensure that she is elected as our 45th president.
Two strongly held beliefs have brought me to this decision. First, Mrs. Clinton is highly qualified to be commander in chief. I trust she will deliver on the most important duty of a president — keeping our nation safe. Second, Donald J. Trump is not only unqualified for the job, but he may well pose a threat to our national security. (…)
In sharp contrast to Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Trump has no experience on national security. Even more important, the character traits he has exhibited during the primary season suggest he would be a poor, even dangerous, commander in chief.” [August 2016]
CIA Director John Brennan — March 8, 2013 – Current
GOP Congressman Peter King of New York has dropped a bombshell accusation against CIA Director John Brennan, accusing him of having leaked information about an investigation into Russian hacking to the media for the sole purpose of obstructing President-elect Donald Trump’s election.
“It seems like to me there should be an investigation what the Russians did but also an investigation of John Brennan and the hit job he seems to be orchestrating against the president-elect,” King told “This Week” host Martha Raddatz on Sunday, referencing recent announcements made through the media that the CIA had discovered evidence of Russian hacking.
He added that he found it disturbing that Brennan had rushed to the media to share his agency’s findings instead of first briefing the intelligence community.
“Either we need a new election or hang Brennan for putting out disinformation,” former CIA operative Robert Baer told Newsweek.
As folks used to say: “It takes two to tango.” I am not entirely convinced that these four former CIA Directors have done their very best to “establish loyalty between their Agency and the President of the United States.”
UPDATE (February 20 2018) — On this day last year, I wrote that I was not entirely convinced that these four former CIA Directors [Hayden, Panetta, Morell and Brennan]had done their very best to “establish loyalty between the CIA and the President of the United States.”
In the summer of 2016, former CIA Director Mike Morell publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton over Trump. In December 2017, Morell finally acknowledged in a revealing self-critical interview that he — as well a several other former CIA directors all highly critical of the US president — had failed to fully “think through the negative backlash generated by their going political”.
“In August of 2016, I became political, when I endorsed Hillary Clinton with an op-ed in The New York Times. (…)
I was concerned about what is the impact it would have on the agency. (…) But I don’t think I fully thought through the implications.”
Perhaps, Morell deserves some credits for his mea culpa. But it is certainly too little, too late. Surely, the former CIA analyst and Director should have known that: “In everything, one must consider the end.”
UPDATE(February 20 2019) — I do not think that many people expected President Trump to have a “normal relation” with the Intelligence Community but what actually unfolds under our eyes is simply out of this world.
Former CIA Director John Brennan called Trump a grave risk to the US national security. Then, he went on to call Trump’s words a national disgrace.
How much worse can this situation become? Not much, I am afraid… But the worse is never sure!
END of UPDATE
Leon Panetta: ‘Never Seen Anything Like’ Donald Trump’s Rift With Intelligence
In an exclusive interview with TODAY, former CIA Director Leon Panetta tells Matt Lauer that once President-elect Donald Trump is briefed by intelligence officials about alleged Russian hacking, he “is going to realize that this is a very important issue that must be dealt with seriously.”
Panetta also explains what kind of message he thinks it would send if Trump reverses sanctions Obama imposed against Russia.
On This Day — Former CIA Director Leon Panetta : “President Trump Must Build ‘Loyalty’ With Intel Community.” [UPDATE : From Lockerbie to Havana Syndrome]
“The saga of ‘Havana Syndrome’ appears to be a sophisticated hoax that began during Trump’s presidential campaign and concluded with the end of his presidency. Now that Trump is re-entering the political arena, we might be in for Season II.”
Intel Today 