Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard dismissed two high-ranking intelligence officials on Tuesday amid a broader crackdown targeting leaks, political bias and what officials describe as “deep state” resistance to the Trump administration’s agenda.
Mike Collins, who had been serving as the acting chair of the National Intelligence Council and his deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof, were both terminated from their roles, according to senior intelligence officials.
The National Intelligence Council is responsible for coordinating strategic intelligence assessments with policymakers and is considered a key part of the intelligence community’s analytical functions.
Officials allege that Collins was the subject of whistleblower complaints accusing him of political bias and attempting to undermine the incoming Trump administration.
Collins was also said to be closely linked to former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morrell, who played a role in organizing a public letter signed by former intelligence officials in 2020 that suggested Hunter Biden’s laptop was likely part of a Russian disinformation campaign.
Hellbound and Down 