Trump names new acting intelligence director as Gordon quits

TIL Desk/World/Washington/ US President Donald Trump has announced that his respected Deputy Director of National Intelligence was resigning, the latest chapter in a broad reshuffle at the top of the country’s spy agencies.

Sue Gordon spent a quarter-century in the CIA before becoming second-in-command to outgoing Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and was in line to serve as acting director.

“Sue Gordon is a great professional with a long and distinguished career. I have gotten to know Sue over the past 2 years and have developed great respect for her,” Trump said on Twitter on Thursday.

“Sue has announced she will be leaving on August 15, which coincides with the retirement of Dan Coats,” Trump added.

Minutes later Trump tweeted that Joseph Maguire, a retired US Navy vice-admiral and the current Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), would replace Gordon. “I have no doubt he will do a great job!” Trump said.