Bush Set to Boost CIA Chief’s Authority

U.S. President George W. Bush is set to soon issue an executive order to strengthen the authority of the CIA director to much of the level envisioned for the planned national intelligence director, the New York Times reported today (see GSN, Aug. 26).

The order, which is expected to be issued as today, would be intended to strengthen the oft-limited authority the CIA director is supposed to have over all U.S. intelligence agencies, according to senior U.S. officials. For example, the executive order is expected to direct the heads of the intelligence agencies, including those under the Defense Department, to allow the CIA director to exercise full authority on budgetary and other issues, according to the Times.

In addition, Bush is expected to issue an executive order creating a National Counterterrorism Center that would have the authority to direct operations in a number of areas, including military and law enforcement affairs, the Times reported. Bush is also expected to issue an executive order intended to increase information sharing among intelligence agencies, officials said (Jehl/Shenon, New York Times, Aug. 27). 

Some U.S. lawmakers are concerned that the planned executive orders are an attempt by the White House to block more sweeping intelligence reform, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“This is the way it works,” a congressional official said. “They do it by executive order and tell Congress they don’t have to act” (Greg Miller, Los Angeles Times, Aug. 27).

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