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Government Politics

James Clapper, US Director of National Intelligence, Has Resigned (thehill.com) 170

Posted by msmash from the aftermath dept.
Reader cold fjord writes: James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, resigned last night. Clapper spent 30 years in military intelligence at the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. He was selected to be the Director of National Intelligence in 2010 with responsibility for 17 US intelligence agencies. Clapper was DNI during the monumental Snowden leaks of documents from NSA and various allied intelligence agencies as well as the release by WikiLeaks of the documents provided by (at the time) Private Bradley Manning. Besides the Snowden and Manning leaks, Clapper was engulfed in controversy over testimony to Congress in which he is alleged to have lied about NSA data collection in responding to a question from Senator Wyden. Clapper had previously stated he would leave at the end of the Obama administration. Clapper's resignation clears the way for incoming president-elect Trump to appoint his own Director of National Intelligence.
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James Clapper, US Director of National Intelligence, Has Resigned More

James Clapper, US Director of National Intelligence, Has Resigned

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  • Yet another win for the people with Trump victory (Score:3, Funny)

    by SuperKendall ( 25149 ) on Thursday November 17, 2016 @03:10PM (#53308753)

    Trump as a private business owner is going to put up with a lot less nonsense like NSA data collection than any power-hungry politician would reaching the Whitehouse... this is just one of many examples to come showing true change, not just changing the mask over the current leader between red and blue as we have done in recent elections over the last sixteen years or so...

    Not saying the NSA collecting is going to halt, but it is going to be reigned in.

    • Re:Yet another win for the people with Trump victo (Score:5, Interesting)

      by gijoel ( 628142 ) on Thursday November 17, 2016 @03:15PM (#53308809)
      Or maybe it's the first rat off the ship.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Jack9 ( 11421 )

        That doesn't make any sense. The administration is not a ship, nor is it interesting when he leaves (now or in 60 days). Slow news day.

      • It say in the article that he has been talking about retirement every day for the last year or so. So no news, if you RTFA.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Anonymous Coward

      /s
      Here, I think you dropped this...

    • +5 Funny!

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Anonymous Coward
      Where is -1 delusional?

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Anonymous Coward

      Wow, I want to have whatever you are smoking, that must be some powerful stuff.

    • That remains to be seen. Trump, aside from being economy-oriented, is also very security conscious (possibly because he understands that the sense of security affects markets); I see no real indication that he'd reign in the NSA in that.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Anonymous Coward

      Trump as a private business owner is going to put up with a lot less nonsense like NSA data collection than any power-hungry politician would reaching the Whitehouse... this is just one of many examples to come showing true change, not just changing the mask over the current leader between red and blue as we have done in recent elections over the last sixteen years or so...

      Not saying the NSA collecting is going to halt, but it is going to be reigned in.

      This has got to be one of the most naive and incredibly stupid things I've ever read on Slashdot.

    • NSA is an effective tool for the American economy and policy making. I don't see any reason why a businessman like Trump would reign it.

      I suppose it'll be rather left to its own devices, also because of its apparent complexity to the administration. If something the intelligence efforts will be strengthened, as the administration composition so far suggests.

      Trump's tactic of pre-emptively revealing pretty much everything has left the security apparatus somewhat toothless, too.

    • "...it is going to be redirected." FTFY

    • As commander in chief, he won't have to 'put up' with it at all, he'll enjoy all the benefits of it.

      Do you really imagine that his appointees will refuse a request for deep intel on the next person that irks him on Twitter?

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by tchdab1 ( 164848 )

      I think we've seen it's premature to predict how Trump might react to nearly anything. Until long after his reaction is complete, there's no telling what he did.
      And I wish I were being sarcastic.

    • Reining in "Reigning" (Score:5, Informative)

      by schnell ( 163007 ) <me&schnell,net> on Friday November 18, 2016 @03:07AM (#53312529) Homepage

      Not saying the NSA collecting is going to halt, but it is going to be reigned in.

      Hi, friendly Grammar Nazi here! No offense intended to anyone, so to my liberal friends I am a "grammarian." To my Breitbart-reading friends, I am a "grammar-conscious Nationalist Socialist German Workers' Party member."

      The recent election has brought up the use of the phrase "reigning in" or "reining in" on Slashdot like seemingly never before. I figured I'd provide a bit of helpful guidance to reduce ambiguity.

      To "reign" is to rule in the sense of "regnal/royal" or kingly/queenly control over a kingdom, state or prom court. It is generally used with the preposition "over," as in "to reign over the prom and orchestrate choruses of "NEEEERRRRDDDDSSSSSS!" at the people who couldn't get dates tonight but will later shame us all at the 20 year reunion."

      To "rein" is to control an animal (e.g. a horse) tethered to a rider. When used in the phrase describing someone wanting to pull something back from its current pace, "rein in" (e.g. government growth, spending, post-prom unwanted pregnancies) this form is normally used.

      Happy reining and/or reigning, depending on your intended expression and/or high school prom experience.

    • Not saying the NSA collecting is going to halt, but it is going to be reigned in.

      Yes, Trump will surely reign over more NSA data collection.

      What is it with you buffoons not knowing what reins are? Spent all your time in a basement, never seen a horse? Or are you just trolling? Find out who will believe you're an idiot? Hint: with your posting history, it is everyone

    • Trump as a private business owner is going to put up with a lot less nonsense like NSA data collection than any power-hungry politician would reaching the Whitehouse... this is just one of many examples to come showing true change, not just changing the mask over the current leader between red and blue as we have done in recent elections over the last sixteen years or so...

      Not saying the NSA collecting is going to halt, but it is going to be reigned in.

      Could you explain reined in? Is it Trump not going to just monitor adversaries and look for dirty linen?

  • Unremarkable event (Score:5, Informative)

    by ClickOnThis ( 137803 ) on Thursday November 17, 2016 @03:11PM (#53308761) Journal

    Presidential appointees routinely submit their resignations when another party's candidate is moving into the Oval Office.

    Nothing to see here, move along.

    • He mentioned his wife was ready for him be done with work and at age 75 it's time. Truly nothing to see here.
    • Just so. Article I read before I saw this /. piece stated that it was normal for all those Executive Branch appointees to submit a resignation after any Presidential election....

  • Please post the discussion about whether somebody's legal name or their Jesus name is more valid here.

    I've got my Rathalos [kiranico.com] armor on, so flame away!

  • Clapper, the guy who lied to congress? (Score:4, Funny)

    by fustakrakich ( 1673220 ) on Thursday November 17, 2016 @03:13PM (#53308793) Journal

    Lock him up!

  • FFS This story is such a non-event (Score:5, Informative)

    by OzPeter ( 195038 ) on Thursday November 17, 2016 @03:15PM (#53308821)

    Yes he resigned. But as explained in Top US intelligence official: I submitted my resignation [cnn.com] (and probably elsewhere)

    All members of an outgoing administration must submit a resignation at some point.

    But every news outlet and internet troll seems to be falling over themselves to shout to the world that he resigned, as if this event actually means something.

    Sure you could probably make a case for all sorts of things happening to him after he is out. But for fucks sake, his resignation is expected and required.

  • Sarah Palin (Score:2, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward

    for Director of National Intelligence.

  • Snowden for DNI (Score:4, Interesting)

    by ASCIIxTended ( 4777373 ) on Thursday November 17, 2016 @03:17PM (#53308847)
    I say put Edward Snowden in the position.

    • Re:Snowden for DNI (Score:4, Informative)

      by nine-times ( 778537 ) <nine.times@gmail.com> on Thursday November 17, 2016 @04:15PM (#53309367) Homepage
      Hasn't Trump said that he thinks Snowden is a traitor and should be executed, or something to that effect? Maybe I'm remembering incorrectly, but I thought he did.

      • Re:Snowden for DNI (Score:5, Informative)

        by rgbscan ( 321794 ) on Thursday November 17, 2016 @04:31PM (#53309553) Homepage

        No, you remember correctly. Trump implied he would execute Snowden. Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jul/2/donald-trump-edward-snowden-kill-traitor/

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by quenda ( 644621 )

        Hasn't Trump said ...

        Anything Trump said, he is just as likely to have also said the opposite, or at least something conflicting.
        I admire a politician who is not afraid to modify their opinions over the years, but I don't think Trumps comments reflect his actual opinions on fact, just on polls.

    • I say put Edward Snowden in the position.

      I understand that Edward Snowden is widely considered a HERO! on Slashdot, but I'm wondering if you could explain why you think he would be suitable for the job as Director of National Intelligence?

      What in his background makes you think he is the right person to lead tens of thousands of intelligence professionals in 17 different intelligence agencies with a total budget nearing $100,000,000,000 and wide ranging functions in working to prevent another Pearl Harbor, or 9/11 against the United States and its

    • I won't be surprised when Trump trades something big and valuable to the Russians in exchange for Snowden. Making an extreme example of Snowden is likely on Trump's "First 100 Days" list.

  • Obligatory (Score:3)

    by Aaron B Lingwood ( 1288412 ) on Thursday November 17, 2016 @03:19PM (#53308867)

    James Clapper, US Director of National Intelligence, Has Resigned

    And nothing of value was lost.

  • At least we know he won't leave the lights on.

  • Tarnished legacy (Score:5, Insightful)

    by sinij ( 911942 ) on Thursday November 17, 2016 @03:25PM (#53308937)
    Keeping this guy around and failing to reign in data collection excesses is a stain on Obama's legacy.

    • Keeping this guy around and failing to reign in data collection excesses is a stain on Obama's legacy.

      I've been noticing more and more incorrect use of "reign in" from people who mean "rein in", mostly from people like you who have foe'd me but that's besides the point except for your ignorance being amusing. I wonder where it's coming from, besides people who don't speak English.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Chrisje ( 471362 )

      The Democrats are oddly the American party that thinks state intervention in things like healthcare and social benefits are good, so one should logically expect Democrats to not mind a bit more state surveillance either.

      But then I've always thought it funny that it's precisely the Republicans who tend to cry "no government is good government" while simultaneously voting for significant government interference:
      - The State should stop abortion, which is a private matter
      - The State should stop gay marriages, a

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by sims 2 ( 994794 )

        Please correct me if i'm wrong on this but IIRC not one of the candidates was against the surveillance state.

        Trump has said he wants to put abortion back in control of the states. (several states have made great progress killing off nearly all the clinics with just building code requirements what does he think they will do if given the option to ban it again altogether?)
        Trump appears to be neutral on the subject of gay marriage.
        Yep. (both sides agree) we don't have enough tanks on city streets have you hear

        • Re: (Score:1)

          by mink ( 266117 )

          Yep. (both sides agree) we don't have enough tanks on city streets have you heard about the drones being used here in the states yet?

          We need out tank police! How else can we get a live action version of the anime?

  • Another step for Trump's "Draining the Swamp" philosophy. Wonder what jaded business man or lobbyist will go in his place? Draining the swamp should be referred to as "Replacing the swamp with new swamp monsters"

  • and flushed the tables and the rotating backups

  • He's self-deporting from the swamp.

  • Why isn't he being prosecuted for perjury - lying to Congress - that's what I want to know

    • Because the President and the DOJ director have stacked the deck in his favor.

    • So Much Perjury (Score:1)

      by Anonymous Coward

      Yeah, he didn't "allegedly lie", he lied.

      A lie requires intent to deceive, and proving intent is difficult it's true. However this isn't criminal law here. We don't actually have to "prove" anything.

      Clapper made a false statement under oath to Congress. The statement was about something he is actually in charge of, and it's not some obscure issue that might get lost in a large organization. This was perhaps the burning question about the mandate and activities of his agency, at the time he was giving te

    • Why isn't he being prosecuted for perjury - lying to Congress - that's what I want to know

      My guess and original suspicion is that it was because Congress told him to lie to them before hand. I doubt Congress, or at least some in Congress knew what the real answer was, but wanted a nice public refutation to present. Snowden probably not just blew the cover off Clapper, but also Congress.

  • What will we do without 'The Clapper'?
  • Wyden: Does the NSA collect any type of data at all on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans?

    Clapper: No sir.

    Wyden: It does not?

    Clapper: Not wittingly. There are cases where they could, inadvertently perhaps, collect—but not wittingly.
    -- Senate Intelligence Committee, March 12, 2013

    Thank you, Senator Wyden.

    Thank you, Edward Snowden.

    What a huge lie that turned out to be. Clapper's resignation may be expected at this point, but still, it is a reminder of how unaccountable thos

    • The NSA is completely accountable, just not to the American public.

    • You should be condemning Wyden for this reckless stunt, not thanking him.

      Blame Wyden, not Clapper, for ‘lie’ to Congress on NSA surveillance [aei.org]
      The Clapper “Lie,” and the Senate Intelligence Committee [fas.org]

      • You should be condemning Wyden for this reckless stunt, not thanking him.

        Does "right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects" sound familiar to you at all? We're supposed to be citizens with rights protected under law, not subjects.

        • Once again, you should be condemning Wyden for his reckless stunt.

          Of course you have rights as an American citizen, but they are what the law says they are, and not necessarily what misinformed opinion holds them to be. Much of the opinion on Slashdot is long on wind and short on knowledge.

          I'm familiar with the 4th Amendment. Are you aware that it is not an all-purpose, all-encompassing, unlimited shield against any scrutiny under any and all circumstances?

          Article II of the Constitution. Does it sound fa

          • Ah, I see. You must be here to tell me that 'metadata doesn't matter' and 'if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear' and 'no warrants shall issue' only applies to actual physical 'papers'.

            Justice Marshal, in his dissent of Smith v. Maryland summed it up the best:
            "The use of pen registers, I believe, constitutes such an extensive intrusion. To hold otherwise ignores the vital role telephonic communication plays in our personal and professional relationships, [...] as well as the First and Fou

  • Clap on, clap off... for Clapper!

    (Gold clap)

  • Rudy Giuliani.

    I cant think of a more fitting cast member than that. The guy just oozes slime and is well antiquated with "law" and "order". Physically, he is exactly who i picture is listening to my phone calls and recording my packets.

    Sleaze incarnate.

  • The whole Snowden thing happened because of that lie. Unless you are claiming that the Snowden leaks are the lies, he DID lie to congress. Just because he was not prosecuted for that doesn't mean it didn't happen. WTF???

    BTW, in other news, contradicting the other post on the front page, he also claimed that: [myepb.net]

    "After the issuance of the statement and the communication that I know took place between our government and Russian government, it seemed to have curtailed the cyberactivity that the Russians were previously engaged in," Clapper said.

    He said he was specifically referring to the "cyber-reconnaissance" that had been observed prior to the statement. "That sort of activity seemed to have curtailed," he said.

    He said intelligence agencies don't have good insight on when or how Wikileaks obtained the hacked emails.

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