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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNot Every CIA Employee Is a Covert Agent
In fact most are not. The whistleblower in the current Trump scandal is not a covert agent, either. He or she is a CIA analyst, once assigned to the White House in that capacity.
That CIA employee is not in danger from the world of spycraft. There's some risk of the identity being known from those who would wish to protect Donald Trump from the charges laid against him or her, but that risk to her or his life is relatively small, and is shared by many people who are opposed to Donald Trump's presidency and are vocal about it.
While I have no real interest in knowing what the whistleblower's name is, that name will end up being known by the public at some point. The whistleblower is a hero and a patriot. That much I do know.
Still, our brave whistleblower is not a covert CIA agent, and is not in danger from international spy agencies.
BlueMTexpat
(15,350 posts)danger from our own domestic terrorists, however.
ecstatic
(32,567 posts)I'm concerned about trump/GOP terrorists.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)shares that risk, but it is really a minor risk.
I don't know if news companies know that whistleblower's name, but none have revealed it. It is important information that the person is a CIA employee and has worked in the White House. Unless one has a list of every CIA analyst who has worked there, the name is still not known.
It is overweening to suggest that news organizations should not reveal basic information about the job of the whistleblower. That is important information that adds to the credibility of the complaint that was secreted away until its existence became known.
CIA employees don't have to hide their employment. The answer to "Where do you work?" is "I work at the CIA as an analyst." That information is not classified.
I worked at the NSA for a few months while in the USAF. In the briefing I got when I started that work, I was told that I could say where I was working, but nothing about the work I was doing. I had learned that I could say that I was a Russian linguist/analyst, but nothing about what my work involved.
Where you work is not classified. It is the nature of the work you do that is classified information. If asked about that, you simply say, "I can't discuss my work. It is classified."
Nevermypresident
(781 posts)I DO worry about their safety for this reason. Not to mention the harrassment he/she and their family will receive.
Instead this person deserves a ticker tape parade down Pennsylvania Ave. If not for their complaint, think about where we would be today, next month, etc.
The one HERO...not Mattis or the countless people who have left this corrupt administration that I know had the goods on trump.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)on the street, and should be taken about as seriously. I don't mean to dismiss them, but everyone who criticizes Trump in public is likely to get death threats. That's how Trumpers behave.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,281 posts)of Trump's MAGAts, though, once his/her name gets out (and it inevitably will, sad to say) - at least of harassment and death threats, if not actual death.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)led that person to write that complaint and submit it. That is what honorable people do, even if there is some minor risk involved with doing that.
Notably, nobody has revealed the whistleblower's name, as far as I am aware. So, at this point, that person's identity remains unknown. I imagine that will change at some point, however, if testimony is given my that person.
How large is the risk? Not very, I think.
Kudos to the whistleblower!
DrToast
(6,414 posts)...when they say he might be in danger.
Pobeka
(4,999 posts)A thought I hope is running through top level officials in the cabal at the WH right now.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)it has to do with illegal behavior by Trump. That's the honorable thing to do.