Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has fired more than 100 intelligence officers from 15 agencies for using a government chat platform for discussions that included topics like polyamory, gender transition surgery and politics.
In a post on X, the National Security Agency said it was “aware of posts that appear to show inappropriate discussions” by intelligence personnel and that the case is under investigation: “IC (intelligence community) collaboration platforms are intended to drive mission outcomes. Potential misuse of these platforms by a small group of individuals does not represent the community. Investigations to address this misuse of government systems are ongoing.”
According to Gabbard, the chat tool was overseen by the National Security Agency. Christopher Rufo, a conservative commentator who writes for City Journal, first reported the existence of the chats and posted what he said were transcripts of the conversations, which he said were obtained from a NSA employee and a former employee.
Gabbard said the fired intelligence officers’ conduct represented “an egregious violation of trust” and violated “basic rules and standards around professionalism.” Gabbard told Fox News: “I put out a directive today that they all will be terminated and their security clearances will be revoked .. today’s action and holding these individuals accountable is just the beginning of what we’re seeing across the Trump administration, which is carrying out the mandate the American people gave him, clean house, root out that rot and corruption and weaponization and politicization.”
A social media post by Gabbard’s spokeswoman confirmed the she sent a memo directing all intelligence agencies to identify the employees who participated in the chatrooms and to terminate their employment and revoke their security clearances.
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