CIA responds to WikiLeaks document dump

The CIA on Wednesday pushed back against WikiLeaks’s release regarding the agency’s hacking programs, insisting it never acted unethically, unconstitutionally or illegally. 

“It is CIA’s job to be innovative, cutting-edge, and the first line of defense in protecting this country from enemies abroad. America deserves nothing less,” the CIA said in a statement. 

The agency said it would not comment on the authenticity of the tranche of documents describing hacking techniques, a European cyber operations hub and more. It did, however, claim that it would be on solid footing to have participated in the described activities. 

{mosads}The CIA said the real outrage should be that the documents were allegedly stolen from a secure network and released to the public.  

“The American public should be deeply troubled by any WikiLeaks disclosure designed to damage the Intelligence Community’s ability to protect America against terrorists and other adversaries. Such disclosures not only jeopardize US personnel and operations, but also equip our adversaries with tools and information to do us harm.”

CNN reported Wednesday that the FBI and CIA would coordinate on an investigation of the leak. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) called for a Congressional investigation as well.

The CIA is not chartered to use electronic surveillance within the U.S., and the statement points to “rigorous oversight” to enforce that it is abiding by those rules and the Constitution.