Beleaguered CIA chief resigns
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In a fresh blow for President Clinton's battered Administration, James Woolsey, the CIA director, resigned last night, capping a disastrous year for the main United States intelligence agency which included the most devastating espionage scandal in its history.
Only the timing of Mr Woolsey's departure was a surprise. It came in a brief statement from President Clinton, saying he accepted "with regret" the resignation of his CIA director. In a weekend letter to the President, Mr Woolsey is understood to have said he wished to step down for family reasons. But his days at the agency were already clearly numbered.
Congressional criticism of his handling of the Aldrich Ames case had made his position increasingly untenable. Senate and House Intelligence Committees criticised his refusal to take more serious sanctions against agency officers who had supervised Ames,unmasked last February as a Soviet and Russian spy for almost a decade.
There was no word on a successor to Mr Woolsey, who has served in both Democratic and Republican administrations. However, John Deutch, Deputy Defense Secretary, is seen as a leading candidate.
Inevitable resignation, page 10
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments