What You Need to Know About the CIA’s Gina Haspel
The CIA’s first-ever female director has officially been appointed amidst debate over her controversial career as an intelligence officer.
While it is undoubtedly an incredible milestone in American history that Haspel will be the first woman to hold this post on a full-time basis, here is what you need to know about the new head of the agency.
First and foremost, she joined the CIA three decades ago and has received honors such as the Intelligence Medal of Merit, a Presidential Rank Award, and the Donovan Award.
Following Mike Pompeo’s resignation to become US Secretary of State, she was nominated by President Trump for the position in March and confirmed in a 54-45 vote by the Senate on Thursday, May 17th. She was voted against by Republican Senators Jeff Flake (AZ) and Rand Paul (KY). Senator John McCain (AZ) also voiced his opposition, though he could not be present to vote due to his current illness. Democrats who had her vote include Senators Joe Donnelly (IN), Heidi Heitkamp (ND), Joe Manchin (WV), Bill Nelson (FL), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), and Mark Warner (VA).
The controversy that surrounds her appointment stems from her involvement in torture programs during the Bush administration that have since been illegalized. However, she did confirm, albeit in a roundabout manner, that she would not implement such methods today as director, nor would she allow for any immoral tactics of interrogation within the agency under her leadership.
