Oh Perfect: Deputy Director of CIA Resigns; To Be Replaced with White House Lawyer With No CIA Experience

But I imagine he'll be good at not answering Congress' questions.

The deputy director of the CIA is leaving the agency and being replaced by a White House lawyer who has never worked at the agency.

“As much as I would selfishly like to keep Michael right where he is for as long as possible, he has decided to retire to spend more time with his family and to pursue other professional opportunities,” CIA Director John Brennan said in a statement announcing Michael Morell’s departure. “In many respects, Michael has come to personify the strengths and qualities of this great organization, and it is difficult for me to imagine CIA without Michael’s exceptionally sharp mind, tremendous energy, and absolute dedication to mission. But I am comforted by the fact that Michael will be able to spend more time with his wonderful family.”

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The switch seems sudden because Obama just nominated Haines to another post in mid-April, when he named her to be the next legal adviser to the State Department. Before her White House job, Haines was the State Department’s assistant legal adviser for treaty affairs.

1. He's spending more time with his family. Hopefully we'll know the real reason on Friday at 5:45 pm ET.

2. God bless State Department lawyers. Such wonderful jobs they do of enforcing loyalty and messaging.

posted by Ace at 04:57 PM

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