Top US National Intel Officials Sacked in Ongoing Purge

By Staff, Agencies

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has dismissed two top officials at the National Intelligence Council [NIC] as part of a move to tackle what the agency describes as the "weaponization" of intelligence.

Gabbard fired Mike Collins, who was serving as the acting chair of the National Intelligence Council, and his deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof, on Tuesday.

The moves come as part of broader efforts to "end the weaponization and politicization of intelligence," a spokesperson told The Hill, noting Gabbard is coordinating closely with President Donald Trump on the overhaul.

Fox News reported Collins had ties to ex-CIA deputy director Michael Morell, one of the intelligence veterans who publicly questioned the authenticity of Hunter Biden's laptop in a 2020 statement.

Meanwhile, whistleblowers said Langan-Riekhof has been a "key advocate" for diversity, equity and inclusion agendas, and is "radically opposed to Trump."

Besides dismissing the two aides, Gabbard also relocated the council from its CIA office to a new location within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence [ODNI].

The firings represent Gabbard's latest action in what officials describe as rooting out leakers who are politicizing intelligence analysis and "trying to sabotage President Trump’s agenda."

In February, Gabbard fired more than 100 employees from across the intelligence community for using a secure government chat normally used to share sensitive information to participate in sexually explicit conversations.

Gabbard has already forwarded three intelligence officials to the Department of Justice for prosecution over classified leaks, with a senior official revealing 12 more are currently under investigation for similar breaches.

In March, the Trump administration withdrew Daniel Davis for the post of deputy director of national intelligence for mission integration after his views against the "Israeli" genocide in Gaza came to light.

Davis criticized "Israel’s" atrocities in Gaza, stating that it continues to claim kids and civilians without remorse or military necessity.