Overview
- Sen. Ron Wyden publicly posted a two-sentence note to CIA Director John Ratcliffe pointing to a classified letter in which he expressed deep concerns about CIA activities.
- Wyden’s office declined to elaborate, citing classification, and he invoked a tactic he has used before to flag issues he cannot detail publicly.
- A CIA spokesperson, in comments reported by multiple outlets, called Wyden’s unhappiness "ironic" and a "badge of honor," offering no substantive rebuttal.
- Reporters and analysts noted unconfirmed links to recent intelligence developments, including a highly classified whistleblower complaint regarding DNI Tulsi Gabbard that Congress received in redacted form.
- Separate reporting in recent weeks has described administration plans for a permanent CIA presence in Venezuela and an October authorization for covert operations, with Ratcliffe meeting interim Venezuelan officials in Caracas.