Dueling letters of support, criticism for Haspel
Letters of support and criticism have been sent to the committee ahead of Haspel’s hearing.
A bipartisan group of 115 retired and former career ambassadors signed a letter warning the Senate that confirming Haspel “would undercut the work of diplomats around the world.”
“We have no reason to question Ms. Haspel’s credentials as both a leader and an experienced intelligence professional. Yet she is also emblematic of choices made by certain American officials in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001 that dispensed with our ideals and international commitments to the ultimate detriment of our national security,”
wrote the ambassadors. “What we do know, based on credible, and as yet uncontested reporting, leaves us of the view that [Ms. Haspel] should be disqualified from holding cabinet rank.”
A human rights group “Human Rights First” released a similar letter of opposition to Haspel, signed by over 80 former ambassadors, including former UN Ambassadors Samantha Power and Thomas Pickering.
Meanwhile, over two dozen members of the intelligence community signed a letter of support of Haspel.
“We believe that Ms. Haspel is an excellent choice to lead the CIA at a time when our intelligence community is under significant pressure at home and abroad. The threats to our national security are as complex as they have ever been and emanate from around the globe. A strong CIA director, with deep roots in Langley and the IC, is a critical asset for our nation at this time in our history.”
