HPSCI Democrats Release Findings of Investigation into CENTCOM Intelligence Analysis

Press Release

Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), released the unclassified findings of HPSCI Democrats' preliminary inquiry into allegations of intelligence manipulation at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Due to concerns regarding the unnecessary proliferation of task forces within the Congress, HPSCI Democrats chose to conduct their own review under the direction of Ranking Member Schiff and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), a HPSCI Member and co-founder of the House Whistleblower Protection Caucus, rather than serve as Members of the task force established by House Republicans. Chief among our priorities on HPSCI has always been ensuring that the intelligence and analysis provided to policy makers is free from politicization or distortion, as well as making sure both that whistleblower complaints are fully investigated, and that those who lawfully blow the whistle receive protection.

Schiff stated: "The flawed intelligence that led to the 2003 Iraq War taught us that allegations of manipulation or skewing of intelligence must be taken seriously, and that policymakers must receive intelligence that is timely, accurate, and -- above all -- free from politics or distortion.

"Through our inquiry, HPSCI Democrats have found that between 2014 and 2015, CENTCOM created an overly insular process for producing intelligence assessments on ISIL and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) -- one that at times deviated from analytical best practices; stalled the release of intelligence products; limited the ability of CENTCOM analysts to coordinate with IC experts; insufficiently accommodated dissenting views; and negatively influenced the morale of CENTCOM analysts.

"However, we found no evidence of politicization of intelligence in this case. Nor did we -- or the Majority -- find any evidence that the White House requested to, or in any manner attempted to, have the intelligence analysis conform to any preset or political narrative.

"The Department of Defense Inspector General (IG) is still conducting its investigation into the concerns raised by these whistleblowers, and HPSCI continues to monitor the progress of that investigation carefully, as well as the treatment of those whistleblowers in the investigation. During our inquiry, CENTCOM was cooperative, and we were careful not to impede the IG's review. Our findings remain preliminary until we have had a chance to review the IG's final report.

"HPSCI Democrats also undertook this review to ensure that lawful whistleblower complaints are fully investigated, and the whistleblowers fully protected. During the inquiry, HPSCI Democrats, like the Majority, found no evidence of reprisal against those who came forward with their concerns."

Schiff concluded: "There are some aspects of the Majority analysis with which we do not agree. In particular, we believe that CENTCOM and others within DoD and DNI have taken steps to address these problems, and we look forward to monitoring their progress. We also note that the Majority found no actual evidence of any problem with the CENTCOM Director of Intelligence or his deputy having secure teleconferences with the Joint Staff Director of Intelligence or senior ODNI leaders, including the Director of National Intelligence. They state that the frequency of these interactions "could have' provided CENTCOM leaders with outsized influence on the material presented to the President outside of formal coordination channels, but this is merely speculation. Often, such collaboration is critical."

HPSCI Democrats Preliminary Findings and Background:

Under the leadership of HPSCI Ranking Member Adam Schiff (D-CA) and HPSCI Member and House Whistleblower Protection Caucus co-Founder Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), the HPSCI Democrats have been conducting their own inquiry into allegations raised by IC whistleblowers regarding CENTCOM's intelligence analysis and review practices from fall 2014 to summer of 2015. Though not part of the Republican task force, HPSCI Democrats' inquiry included sitting in on the interviews conducted by the Majority, including interviews with CENTCOM analysts and three individuals named in whistleblower complaints. HPSCI Democrats and staff also interviewed other CENTCOM personnel separately, and traveled to CENTCOM.

As a result of this process, HPSCI Democrats have made the following preliminary findings:

· From the fall of 2014 to the summer of 2015, the leadership of CENTCOM's Intelligence Directorate employed an overly insular process for analyzing intelligence reporting and producing intelligence assessments on ISIL and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). As a result:

o CENTCOM analysts were not permitted to coordinate externally with IC experts at their level, at odds with analytical best practices;

o Assessment methodologies at times deviated from analytical best practices;

o The production of intelligence on ISIL and ISF capabilities was sometimes slow and insufficiently accommodating of dissent; and

o Morale among the analytical workforce was poor, particularly as analysts found their authority diminished once the focus shifted to ISIL and Iraq and new reporting structures were imposed without sufficient notice and timely explanations to the workforce.

· There is no evidence to date, however, that this process was designed to advance a particular policy or political narrative, or that it was driven by actors above or outside of the leadership of CENTCOM's intelligence directorate.

· But, the process did produce more optimistic tactical assessments of ISF strength relative to ISIL's.

· To the extent that CENTCOM leadership's assessments were the result of any institutional bias, HPSCI Democrats believe CENTCOM and the Defense Intelligence Agency should better ensure that processes and procedures are in place in order to correct for any such tendencies among warfighting commands.

· HPSCI Democrats also found that the climate among CENTCOM's intelligence directorate has improved since summer of 2015, and expect to review the results of upcoming climate surveys.

· To date, neither the principal whistleblower in the CENTCOM matter, nor any other whistleblowers or analysts at CENTCOM, have been retaliated against. The principal whistleblower has moved on to a new duty assignment away from CENTCOM, and did so voluntarily. As part of the normal military rotational assignments, the J2, Major General Steven Grove, has also left CENTCOM.

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