As a veteran of the U.S. intelligence and law enforcement communities, I was stunned with FBI Director’s James Comey’s dismissal of the Hillary Clinton email case. Comey determined Clinton was “extremely careless,” but not criminal in her handling of classified emails.
If I had done what Clinton did during my career, I would have been dismissed from my job and prosecuted. In the coming years, when there are alleged “security violations” in the intelligence, law enforcement, and diplomatic communities the subjects of the investigations will now have recourse to the “Hillary defense;” i.e. “I’m sorry. I admit I was careless but it was not my intent to commit the security violation.” Director Comey did the nation a huge disservice setting this low-bar precedent.
This incident is further proof of the egregious politicization of our civil service. I composed a draft article a few months ago focused on the enforcement arm of Department of Treasury. I couldn’t get the article published. Particularly in light of the Comey ruling, it makes interesting reading. So here it is in this blog post:
Politicization at Treasury’s Enforcement Arm Must Stop
Last month, Treasury’s Acting Under-Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Adam Szubin spoke at a forum and conclusively demonstrated what I have long suspected - the politicization of the Department of Treasury’s enforcement arm. As a former Treasury Special Agent, I was appalled by his remarks.
Reading a prepared statement, Szubin discussed the Iran sanctions program and described how it helped pave the way to the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)." This is a fascinating topic. The sophisticated audience at the FDD Forum was anticipating insights into this incredibly important and far reaching accord. Instead, Szubin’s speech was an exercise in deception and political spin.
Sections of the speech are titled "The JCPOA: A Sanctions Success Story" and "The Benefits of the Bargain." You get the idea. Szubin ended with a flourish labeling the agreement "deft diplomacy."
I was at the Department of Treasury for a short time. I understand how these remarks are drafted and cleared. In this case, I assume they were reviewed by both the State Department and the White House. But just because something is called a "bargain" and a "success” doesn’t make it true.
Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Department of Treasury pioneered a new era of financial warfare primarily revolving around targeted sanctions and designations. Treasury has used American financial and economic power to protect the global banking system from international money laundering, other financial crimes, and even terror finance. Working with international partners, the innovative use of these programs put in place by Treasury’s “financial intelligence wonks” – including Adam Szubin - was the primary reason that Iran came to the negotiating table.
However, instead of negotiating from a position of strength and with the cunning, patience, and long-term outlook practiced by our adversaries, the White House and its negotiators threw years of hard work and international consensus building away. Despite the remarks by the administration and its spokespeople, the true legacies of the JCPOA will be a case study of naiveté, a much more dangerous world, and disastrous results.
Ben Rhodes, the White House’s Deputy National Security Advisor, recently boasted to a journalist of duping the American public about the JCPOA. Mr. Rhodes bragged about his ability to spin, weave, and restructure a narrative divorced from reality. One can only surmise that Adam Szubin’s speech was just one more opportunity for the White House to deceive and mislead.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. The Internal Revenue Service, also part of the enforcement arm of the Department of Treasury, has become politicized. Lois Lerner’s pleading the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination is eloquent testimony of the IRS’ efforts to suffocate groups critical of the administration. In fact, efforts are underway to impeach the IRS Commissioner for making false statements under oath and failing to comply with a subpoena for evidence.
While political appointees have always influenced the civil service, direction has reached new levels. Political guidance at the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, State and other agencies and departments I once held in high esteem frankly break my heart. It is no wonder the overwhelming majority of the American people no longer trust their government.
If we are to turn this around, two things must happen: 1. the next administration must restore trust and credibility in the civil service by taking crass politics out of governance; 2. civil servants – particularly those at the highest levels - must say no when they know they are being used for political ends. We must restore honor and integrity in government service.
Comments?
If I had done what Clinton did during my career, I would have been dismissed from my job and prosecuted. In the coming years, when there are alleged “security violations” in the intelligence, law enforcement, and diplomatic communities the subjects of the investigations will now have recourse to the “Hillary defense;” i.e. “I’m sorry. I admit I was careless but it was not my intent to commit the security violation.” Director Comey did the nation a huge disservice setting this low-bar precedent.
This incident is further proof of the egregious politicization of our civil service. I composed a draft article a few months ago focused on the enforcement arm of Department of Treasury. I couldn’t get the article published. Particularly in light of the Comey ruling, it makes interesting reading. So here it is in this blog post:
Politicization at Treasury’s Enforcement Arm Must Stop
Last month, Treasury’s Acting Under-Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Adam Szubin spoke at a forum and conclusively demonstrated what I have long suspected - the politicization of the Department of Treasury’s enforcement arm. As a former Treasury Special Agent, I was appalled by his remarks.
Reading a prepared statement, Szubin discussed the Iran sanctions program and described how it helped pave the way to the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)." This is a fascinating topic. The sophisticated audience at the FDD Forum was anticipating insights into this incredibly important and far reaching accord. Instead, Szubin’s speech was an exercise in deception and political spin.
Sections of the speech are titled "The JCPOA: A Sanctions Success Story" and "The Benefits of the Bargain." You get the idea. Szubin ended with a flourish labeling the agreement "deft diplomacy."
I was at the Department of Treasury for a short time. I understand how these remarks are drafted and cleared. In this case, I assume they were reviewed by both the State Department and the White House. But just because something is called a "bargain" and a "success” doesn’t make it true.
Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Department of Treasury pioneered a new era of financial warfare primarily revolving around targeted sanctions and designations. Treasury has used American financial and economic power to protect the global banking system from international money laundering, other financial crimes, and even terror finance. Working with international partners, the innovative use of these programs put in place by Treasury’s “financial intelligence wonks” – including Adam Szubin - was the primary reason that Iran came to the negotiating table.
However, instead of negotiating from a position of strength and with the cunning, patience, and long-term outlook practiced by our adversaries, the White House and its negotiators threw years of hard work and international consensus building away. Despite the remarks by the administration and its spokespeople, the true legacies of the JCPOA will be a case study of naiveté, a much more dangerous world, and disastrous results.
Ben Rhodes, the White House’s Deputy National Security Advisor, recently boasted to a journalist of duping the American public about the JCPOA. Mr. Rhodes bragged about his ability to spin, weave, and restructure a narrative divorced from reality. One can only surmise that Adam Szubin’s speech was just one more opportunity for the White House to deceive and mislead.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. The Internal Revenue Service, also part of the enforcement arm of the Department of Treasury, has become politicized. Lois Lerner’s pleading the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination is eloquent testimony of the IRS’ efforts to suffocate groups critical of the administration. In fact, efforts are underway to impeach the IRS Commissioner for making false statements under oath and failing to comply with a subpoena for evidence.
While political appointees have always influenced the civil service, direction has reached new levels. Political guidance at the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, State and other agencies and departments I once held in high esteem frankly break my heart. It is no wonder the overwhelming majority of the American people no longer trust their government.
If we are to turn this around, two things must happen: 1. the next administration must restore trust and credibility in the civil service by taking crass politics out of governance; 2. civil servants – particularly those at the highest levels - must say no when they know they are being used for political ends. We must restore honor and integrity in government service.
Comments?
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