Ray McGovern

Ray McGovern works with Tell the Word, the publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in inner-city Washington. In the Sixties he served as an infantry/intelligence officer and then became a CIA analyst for the next 27 years. He is on the Steering Group of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).

Will Comey’s Words Come Back To Haunt Him?

On Jan. 12, 2017, former FBI Director James Comey attested to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court that the now-discredited information from former British spy Christopher Steele regarding Russian collusion had been "verified". Thanks to an FOIA request, we now have documentary evidence showing Comey pressing ahead to validate Steele amid a distinct lack of enthusiasm … Continue reading “Will Comey’s Words Come Back To Haunt Him?”

Round Up the Usual Suspects; Don’t Forget Putin

Interviewed by Mrs. Clinton Monday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi eagerly rose to the bait when Clinton spoke of "her concerns that the outgoing commander-in-chief was compromised by the Kremlin". Setting the stage, Clinton expressed the hope that "we’ll find out who he [Trump] is beholden to, "who pulls his strings". Clinton added ominously: "I would love … Continue reading “Round Up the Usual Suspects; Don’t Forget Putin”

Can William Burns Change the CIA?

From Consortium News: In nominating former Deputy Secretary of State William Burns to be CIA director, President-elect Joe Biden has chosen a highly experienced diplomat to lead a hydra-headed agency. But, if past is precedent, the highest hydras who head calcified fiefdoms at CIA can be expected to resist any real control from the top. … Continue reading “Can William Burns Change the CIA?”

New York Times Still Stoking Alarm At ‘Russian Hacking’

Forget what Vice President Pence has suggested he might do this week regarding counting the votes for president and forget President Trump’s ominous military buildup near Iran, the Sunday New York Times two-column, above-the-fold lede tells us what we should really be worried about: "Scope of Russian Hacking Far Exceeds Initial Fears." The on-line title … Continue reading “New York Times Still Stoking Alarm At ‘Russian Hacking’”

A Pandemic of ‘Russian Hacking’

From Consortium News: The hyperbolic, evidence-free media reports on the “fresh outbreak” of the Russian-hacking disease seems an obvious attempt by intelligence to handcuff President-elect Joe Biden into a strong anti-Russian posture as he prepares to enter the White House. Biden might well need to be inoculated against the Russophobe fever. There are obvious Biden … Continue reading “A Pandemic of ‘Russian Hacking’”

Why Michael Morell Cannot Be CIA Director

As President-elect Joe Biden names his cabinet and other chief advisers, what has escaped wide attention is the fact that none of his hawkish national security advisers – except for his nominee for defense secretary, Gen. Lloyd Austin – has served in the military. Former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell, who is reportedly on Biden’s … Continue reading “Why Michael Morell Cannot Be CIA Director”

Barr Kicks Durham Can Down the Street

Attorney General William Barr has abandoned the Trump ship, after drilling two huge holes in its hull. On Tuesday Barr poured cold water on President Donald Trump’s allegations of voter fraud, announcing that the Justice Department had found no fraud "on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election"). Of no … Continue reading “Barr Kicks Durham Can Down the Street”

What Is John Brennan So Worried About?

Former CIA Director John Brennan is apparently so worried that Donald Trump might release certain classified intelligence that he suggested this week that Vice President Mike Pence and the cabinet remove Trump via the 25th amendment. Brennan appeared this week on both CNN and MSNBC to spread alarm about what Trump might do as he … Continue reading “What Is John Brennan So Worried About?”

Trump Orders Russiagate Documents Declassified – So What!

Home alone yesterday evening, and apparently emboldened by the steroids he is now taking, President Donald Trump sent out a storm of Tweets that included a unprecedentedly bold challenge to the FBI and CIA to stop their foot dragging and declassify documents related to Russiagate and Hillary Clinton. It was probably his plummeting poll numbers … Continue reading “Trump Orders Russiagate Documents Declassified – So What!”

Comey’s Amnesia Makes Senate Session Unforgettable

Former FBI Director James Comey testified to Congress last Wednesday that he did not remember much about what was going on when the FBI deceived the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Court into approving four warrants for surveillance of Trump campaign aide Carter Page. Few outsiders are aware that those warrants covered not only Page … Continue reading “Comey’s Amnesia Makes Senate Session Unforgettable”