Aspen Security Forum 2017 I 1 POTUS and the Intelligence Community 1. What is your relationship like with President Trump? Over the past few months we have developed and settled into a trusted relationship. He knows that I will not always be delivering good news and that we may not always agree. The nature of being the DN1 is that we must maintain an open dialogue and frequently must wrestle with extremely difficult problems. It is not easy. In many ways, President Trump is faced with not just problems facing the United States, but really the entire world. 2. Have you had to simplify your daily intelligence brie?ngs for him? 0 Historically, the intelligence community has tailored its PDB and other brie?ngs to meet the demands and expectations of customer number one and senior policymakers. So our job is to provide a product that best meets the needs of policymakers, provides the best analysis possible from across the entire community and leverages the latest technology. The PDB has evolved over the decades from basic index-type cards in President Kennedy?s pocket to iPads that can provide high resolution imagery and video. So we are able to adapt when necessary to meet these needs. Aspen Security Forum 2017 3. Regarding your interactions with President Trump, CIA Director Mike Pompeo is also in the room for the daily brie?ng, right? As I understand it, that?s a change from the previous administration. When you piece together previous stories about getting rid of bringing in a private equity guy to revamp the Intel Community?plus Pompeo in the Cabinet and in the do you see the role of is it still relevant? Since my con?rmation in March as the leader of the US Intelligence Community, I?ve really come to see what it means when we say ?Intelligence Community.? There is no doubt the CIA?and Director Pompeo?play an inherently unique role in our community. There?s also no doubt that the Community is much broader than one agency. We have of?cers from every agency working at my of?ce, and that enriches everything?from watercooler talk to analytic products to planning investments in technology that will come to ?'uition long after I?m gone. 0 So I don?t see this as zero-sum. The security challenges that threaten our way of life, our allies, and global stability are robust enough to have the Director of CIA and me ?in the room.? As I said in my con?rmation hearing, my role is as the head coach. But we?re all on the same team. And I can tell you from my time in Congress. You always have to follow the money, and the DNI is responsible for the budget! Aspen Security Forum 2017 - "was. POTUS and Russia 4. President Trump has cast doubt on the intelligence community?s assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 US. elections. He has at times been highly critical of the intelligence community?s work. How can you work as DNI for a President that undermines your work? Lester I am not going to discuss anything related to the Russia investigations. As the President's principal intelligence advisor, I am fortunate to be able to spend a signi?cant amount of time with the President. The relationship portrayed in the media between the President and the intelligence community is a far cry ?om what I have personally experienced and witnessed. I have built a trusted relationship with him and he understands and even expects us to challenge him. So there is healthy dialogue and a good back and forth discussion. He is fully engaged and asks important and insight?il questions when being briefed. He is so engaged that sometimes the brie?ng go longer than scheduled and we are asked to wrap it up to allow for his next scheduled meeting. I have also taken steps to ensure he interacts with different briefers from different IC agencies so he can get a more comprehensive understanding of the great work that is being done on behalf of our nation by the men and women serving in the community. So he gets the importance of our mission and is very supportive. Aspen Security Forum 2017 5. Does it trouble you that President Trump has not come out strongly and said ?yes? Russia interfered in the election? The intelligence community has made it clear as to what our assessment is regarding Russian activity during the 2016 elections. 0 As DNT, my role is to provide that assessment as well as other assessments about the vast array of global threats we face as a nation. 0 The President and his policymaking team ultimately must decide what action to take. They must consider intelligence information along with other inputs from other sources too. So intelligence is only one of many inputs. They must find the right balance when confronting these changes. 6. What can you tell us about the Donald Trump Jr. meeting? Nothing. I was a Senator when that meeting occurred last year and was focused on the issues facing my fellow Hoosiers. As I mentioned before, I am not going to address that matter or talk about the Russia investigations and will leave that to the Special Prosecutor and Congressional committees. 7. Was it collusion in your estimation? As I mentioned before, I am not going to address that matter or talk about the Russia investigations and will leave that to the Special Prosecutor and Congressional committees. Aspen Security Forum 2017 8. Were any of the individuals in that Donald Trump Jr. meeting Russian intelligence of?cers? 0 Another one that I think that is up to the Special Prosecutor and the courts to ultimately decide. 0 I think we need to let the investigations run their respective courses and wait for their determination. 9. Should Jared Kushner?s security clearance be revoked? I am not going to discuss the media reporting regarding Mr. Kushner?s clearance process. Also, we are bound by Privacy Act restrictions so it would not be appropriate for me to discuss any individual?s security clearance. - I have full con?dence in the intelligence community professionals that review clearances that they will be properly adjudicated. Aspen Security Forum 2017 6 10. The President has said he doesn?t believe the Russians in?uenced our election, which contradicts what the IC has said. Do you stand by the IC Assessment? 0 I stand by the Assessment. I believe the President fully understands the assessment, and as with all issues, intelligence is one of many inputs that the President must consider before he makes policy decisions. I will say, from the perspective, we have high con?dence that President Putin ordered an in?uence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US Presidential election. The goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process and our assessment remains unchanged. The Russian in?uence campaign blended covert intelligence operations with overt efforts by Russian government agencies, state-funded media, third?party intermediaries, and paid social media users. Russian intelligence obtained and maintained access to elements of multiple US state and local electoral boards. However, the Department of Homeland Security assesses these systems were not involved in vote tallying. 11. Are we taking any action to retaliate against Russia for their actions? I am not going to offer any specifics here, but I will say we must hold the Russians accountable for their actions. They know what they did is unacceptable. They also know that the US has tremendous capabilities at our disposal and that they should be mind?il that we have a right to defend ourselves and our allies. Lester, you may have missed it; but?in my previous life as a Senator in 2014?1 Tweeted a Top 10 list of the things I would not be able to do after Putin banned me from Russia. The number one thing? Our summer vacation in Siberia. But, you know, Aspen is a pretty nice place in the summer. Suf?ce it to say, I have a long history with Russia. Our Intelligence Community understands Russia. It?s easy to get lost in all of the noise on this issue, but?rest assured?we will always protect the US. Aspen Security Forum 2017 Managing the IC 12. Is the morale of the intelligence community hurt by the President?s comments? 0 I am so proud to lead the US intelligence community. I am extremely impressed by the caliber of the IC workforce: 0 Their education, 0 Technical experience and capabilities Passion have greatly impressed me. Over the last few weeks, I have met many entry level and mid?level IC of?cers over brown bags lunches in our cafeteria and I really enjoy these personal interactions. They are resilient and dedicated public servants who have weathered many storms over the decades. Intelligence of?cers don?t expect their work to be easy. ODNI Effectiveness Review assistance from an all~star group of advisers Excited to get Sue Gordon on-board soon. Aspen Security Forum 2017 3 13. The intelligence community has struggled to recruit a diverse workforce, what steps are being taken to get the right mix of employees? Each of the IC agencies has a team dedicated to ensuring that we are adequately addressing diversity issues and we are always seeking to recruit from a wide variety of diverse communities. Because the mission is to protect our country by understanding the complexities of the world, I would argue that we need the widest pool of talent. We recognize we have made some progress, but we still have a way to go. 14. In the previous administration, there were charges that the intelligence community politicized intelligence and even ?cooked the books? to show more progress against ISIS. What are you doing to ensure this does not happen? As DNI, I expect all our of?cers to provide the best intelligence possible. I want objective analysis free of any bias or in?uence. To ensure we are meeting this expectation, we conduct an Analytic Objectivity and Process Survey annually to better understand the perspectives of personnel at organizations on objectivity in the analytic process and workplace conditions in?uencing the quality of analysis. Overall, trends have been pretty consistent--and good--since we began the survey. Any indicators that show deviation-?good or bad~-are helpful to individual organization's leadership in helping to ensure adhere to high standards for analytic integrity and objectivity. Aspen Security Forum 2017 15. We?ve heard a lot about factions in the White House competing for the President?s agenda and loyalty. If Bannon?s team were to get more power, what would that mean for the Intel Community? Here you have a huge bureaucracy, a big budget, and a dif?cult time articulating success stories. So why wouldn?t Bannon want to ?blow the whole thing up,? as his approach has been described? I can tell you this: The President dedicates a lot of time on his calendar to meeting with me, and by extension all of the men and women I lead. He wants to ensure we have every resource at our disposal to keep Americans safe. So I don?t worry about DC. intrigue, and neither should the career intelligence of?cers who dedicate their talent to keeping us safe. We have the brightest workforce. These are people whose credentials could open doors to lucrative to places like Aspen. But they?re in it for the intrinsic reward of serving their country. And my job is to empower them. And this President wants me to do just that. 16. As a Senator you had a clear record opposing gay rights, do you still feel the same way and how does that impact your role as Since my con?rmation as DNI, I have been impressed with spirit of service that permeates the IC. As I get to know more IC of?cers, I am struck by the wide variety of backgrounds that enrich our workforce. This is different for me than being a Senator. I no longer represent constituents. I now champion a workforce of more than 100,000 employees. My job is to look out for what is best for every single one of them?and to make sure they have everything they need to keep us safe. Aspen Security Forum 2017 10 Leaks 17. Has there been an increase in leaks? If so, Why? Leaks have played a very signi?cant negative role relative to our national security. The release of information not only undermines con?dence in our allies about our ability to maintain secure information that we share with them, it jeopardizes sources and methods that are invaluable to our ability to ?nd out what's going on and what those threats are. Lives are at stake in many instances and leaks jeopardizes those lives. Unfortunately, there will continue to be leaks and we must do everything in our power to stop them. When they occur, we will work with the Department of Justice to ?Jlly investigate them and prosecute the perpetrators when appropriate. 18. Are you concerned that President Trump has leaked classi?ed information to foreign governments? There was that one incident. 0 The President is empowered to share information if he makes that determination. 0 Lester, you have had a famous interview with the President. Perhaps that is a question you can ask him directly next time? Aspen Security Forum 2017 11 19. What is being done to stop the leaks? Through our National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), which is part of the ODNI, we have a ?rmly established an Insider Threat Program. Insider Threat programs help us to be more proactive in preventing unauthorized disclosure, by minimizing/reducing potential security gaps and/or identifying personnel who need assistance, before any damage occurs. We use a number of techniques, like user activity monitoring (UAM) and analytic tools are valuable assets. As part of our broader security clearance reform effort, we have a Continuous Evaluation (CE) program which has been implemented across the Executive Branch to review security-relevant information more frequently than currently reviewed by personnel security practitioners. Anyone eligible for access to classi?ed national security information or eligible to hold a sensitive position is subject to the program will help discover nefarious activities of C1 or security concern that may indicate the presence of a malicious insider. 20. What are your views on Edward Snowden? Hal Martin (NSA Contractor) Reality Winner (the alleged NSA leaker)? Since all are facing pending legal action, I would only say that they all need to face justice in our court system. Snowden should return from Putin?s Russia and face US. Courts. 12 \spen Security Forum 2017 Unmasking 21. There has been some controversy about the unmasking of individuals that have been leaked for political purposes. What can you share? While not addressing any speci?c allegations, let me describe the process and the protections that govern unmasking. If an Executive Branch recipient of an intelligence report containing masked U.S. person information believes that knowing the identity of the U.S. person is necessary to fully understand the associated intelligence and assess whether it is relevant to a lawful activity of the recipient?s agency, then that recipient may request the US person identity information from the reporting agency. The individual IC element that applied the masking in the ?rst place not the ODNI will be responsible for approving any request to unmask a U.S. person identity, in accordance with existing unmasking policies and procedures. If a request to unmask a U.S. person identity is approved by the originating IC element, then that information is provided only to the individual who requested the unmasking not to everyone who had access to the report. In other words, reports are not rewritten to include USP identities. ll Aspen Security Forum 2017 13 FISA 702 22. ISA 702 Reauthorization? Lester that is why we need tools like 702 to be reauthorized this year. 0 I have made it my highest legislative priority. I think everyone can agree that we need tools like 702 to target foreign bad guys, operating overseas who seek to attack us. If that?s not our job, I don?t know what is. I?d like to take a moment to review the basics here. Under ISA Section 702, with the assistance of electronic communication service providers, the government may: 0 Target persons . . . 0 Who are reasonably believed to be located outside the United States . . . In order to acquire foreign intelligence information. There are also things that the government cannot do under 702: The government cannot target a foreign person when the intent of the targeting is to collect a US. person?s communications. I This is usually called ?reverse targeting? and is speci?cally prohibited in the statute. The government cannot target anyone in the United States or any US. citizen wherever they live. Aspen Security Forum 2017 14 23. FISA Section 702 Reauthorization: 702?s value to national security? Title VII of ISA is vital to keeping the nation safe. If Congress allows 702 to expire, it will hurt this government?s ability to: 0 To respond to national security threats To exploit intelligence collection opportunities. As just a few, high-level examples, the government has used 702: 0 To discover information about weapons proliferation by sanctioned countries To ?nd terrorists To support our allies? operations against terrorists Within their borders To stop imminent acts of terrorism within our own borders And to help put terrorists behind bars here in the United States. I would like to share a couple speci?c examples: 0 The government used collection authorized under 702 to learn details about how a country was evading sanctions to purchase military communications equipment. As a result, the shipment of prohibited goods was interdicted. The government, using 702, uncovered details about two af?liated militants who were planning to attack US. personnel and interests overseas. An African partner arrested the militants and learned more about ISIS attack planning and facilitation networks. As a result of efforts starting with 702 collection, an imminent attack against US. personnel was prevented. 15 Aspen Security Forum 2017 Misc. Challenges and Threats 24. What threats keep you up at night? The marriage of a terror group obtaining a weapon of mass destruction. If any of the most recent terror attacks here or overseas had a radiological, biological or chemical weapon element as part of the event, we would have seen many more deaths and casualties. It could be catastrophic. (Pivot to 702) 25. What about emerging technology like arti?cial intelligence and bio engineering? During my annual threat assessment provided to Congress, I noted that continued rapid technological progress remains central to economic prosperity and social well-being, but it is also introducing potential new threats. Arti?cial intelligence (AI) is advancing computational capabilities that bene?t the economy, yet those advances also enable new military capabilities for our adversaries. Genome editing has the potential to cure diseases and modify human performance, which presents new ethical and security issues. The Internet of Things is connecting billions of new devices to the Internet, but it also broadens the attack potential of cyber actors against networks and information. Semiconductors remain core to the economy and the military, yet new national security risks might arise from next-generation chips because of technology plateaus and investments by other states. Aspen Security Forum 2017 15 26. From an intelligence perspective, how worried should we be about climate change? - Lester, it?s important for me to note that?when it comes to climate change?the IC takes as a scienti?c baseline the reports produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international body responsible for assessing the science related to climate change. . We don?t assess effects on the homeland, and we don?t evaluate the science of the IPCC reports. Even if climate-induced environmental stresses do not lead to con?ict, they are likely to contribute to migrations that exacerbate social and political tensions, some of which could overwhelm host governments and populations. FISA Section 702 Vignettes 702 Vignette: Haii Iman Lester, let me give you a real world example of how this works and why it matters. For some time, the second-in-command in ISIS was a guy named Haji Iman. He was a high-school teacher (?Imam?) who had transformed into a top terrorist. He posed such a threat that the US was offering a $7 million reward for information about him, and the NSA spent over two years looking for him. Finally, breakthrough on this case came a direct result of intelligence collection under Section 702 authorities. NSA used Section 702 collection on Haji Iman?s close associates to lead them to this reclusive terrorist. NSA and its tactical partners located Haji Iman, and then they were able to track his movements. This information enabled US forces to launch an operation to apprehend him, and he was ultimately killed in that operation after our forces came under ?re. This multi-year effort to find and eliminate Haji Iman was successful primarily because of Section 702. There is one fewer terrorist leader on the battle?eld today thanks to Section 702.