Incoming House Intelligence Committee Chair Jim Himes says Democrats will examine whether political pressure under President Donald Trump affected U.S. intelligence work, after he cited analysts’ reluctance to address controversial topics.
Himes, a Connecticut Democrat expected to lead the committee when Democrats take control in January 2027, spoke to Reuters on Nov. 10. He identified alleged retaliatory dismissals as one focus and separately cited declining morale and evidence that analysts hesitated to address politically sensitive subjects.
He left the committee’s investigative process unspecified. Himes said the panel would also review the administration’s dealings with defense and intelligence contractors, along with covert U.S. activity abroad. He said he was seeking to declassify additional intelligence-community material that could document the effects of dismissals and politicization.
Himes said he had reviewed a statutorily required intelligence-community survey indicating that employees began feeling “very real political pressure” in 2025. He also pointed to the Iraq war as a warning about what can happen when intelligence officials do not tell national leaders the truth, citing the false claims about weapons of mass destruction.
Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reduced her agency’s staff by about 40% in 2025. CIA Director John Ratcliffe pledged to eliminate more than 1,000 positions over several years. Reuters reported that both agencies gave employees paid exit options through deferred-resignation programs.
At least two dismissed analysts had contributed to an assessment on Venezuela that conflicted with White House policy, Reuters reported. Reuters reported that intelligence-agency staff saw the reductions as part of Trump’s effort against what he called the “deep state”; critics said the losses depleted the community’s experience and expertise.
Reuters previously reported that clearances revoked by Gabbard’s office had impaired cooperation among intelligence agencies and with Congress. The intelligence review would add to incoming Democrats’ plans for Trump administration probes, which Rep. Robert Garcia described to CNBC. Democrats are set to take control of the House and Senate in January 2027.
