Young Seeks Answers on the Veracity of Falsified Intelligence on ISIS

Statement

In light of recent allegations that U.S. Central Command (Centcom), which oversees our military operations against ISIS, is falsifying intelligence reports for political purposes, Congressman Todd Young (R-IN) wrote to the Secretary of Defense requesting a briefing to determine the veracity of the claims. Young's explanation of his request follows:

"I cannot overstate, both as an elected representative charged with making critical national security decisions and as a former intelligence officer in the Marine Corps, the necessity for accurate, reliable intelligence."

"A year has passed since President Obama urged Congress to rubber stamp his proposal to arm and train Syrian rebels. I refused to sanction such a plan because, at the time, the President couldn't articulate how it fit into a coherent regional strategy that could actually deliver on his promise to degrade and destroy the Islamic State."

"As I refer back to President Obama's welcome, albeit uncharacteristic decision to consult Congress, I recall the classified intelligence briefings held before our up-or-down vote. These briefings, I argued, failed to provide a clear picture of the situation on the ground in Syria. Our oversight role as members of Congress was frustrated by contradictions from President Obama and his military advisers, and a lack of cogent answers to our many questions about the military strategy."

"Recent allegations from analysts within the intelligence community further complicate our constitutional duty to keep Americans safe and secure. The extent and truthfulness of the analysts' assertions that senior level officials are doctoring intelligence reports on Syria and Iraq for political purposes must immediately be made known. Internal deceit presents a two-fold danger. It compromises the security of our operators in the region and undermines accountability by shrouding mistakes made at the highest rungs of government in the political cover of unreliable intelligence."

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