CIA wary of Pompeo’s interest in agency tied to Russia investigation: report

Top CIA officials are reportedly wary of CIA Director Mike Pompeo’s interest in the Counterintelligence Mission Center — an agency closely tied to the ongoing probe of possible ties between President Trump’s campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential election. 

According to a report by The Washington Post, Pompeo issued a directive to the agency, which has worked closely with the FBI on its Russia investigation, requiring that it report directly to him. 

Officials at the Counterintelligence Mission Center have in turn kept an eye on Pompeo, according to the Post. The report says there is currently no evidence to suggest Pompeo has hindered the ongoing investigation.

“Pompeo is in a delicate situation unlike any other director has faced, certainly in my memory because of his duty to protect and provide the truth to an independent investigation while maintaining his role with the president,” 23-year CIA veteran Rolf Mowatt-Larssen told the Washington Post.{mosads}

Pompeo, a former Republican congressman from Kansas, has been a vocal supporter of Trump, often keeping in line with other administration officials who have downplayed the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.

Last month, however, Pompeo broke with the administration, saying “of course” Russia interfered in the election.

He also said Russia interfered in the election prior, in 2012, as well as the 2008 election. 

Former Watergate prosecutor Nick Ackerman said Thursday that Trump is acting like someone who is “running out of time” after new emails surfaced from the Trump campaign suggesting that an aide meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.