Executive Summary

A series of politically motivated appointments to key leadership positions within the U.S. intelligence Community (IC) by the Trump administration likely has increased organisational politicisation, leading to a significant decrease in analytical integrity and objectivity across organisations. Meanwhile, the systematic removal of key senior intelligence leaders and officials likely reflects political retaliation openly demanded by President Donald Trump. Collectively, these changes are eroding staff morale in the FBI and NSA, undermining analytic independence, and raising questions of credibility, especially among foreign allies, including Five Eyes partners, some of whom have scaled back intelligence cooperation.

Simultaneously, the dismantling of U.S. counter-disinformation and anti-money laundering initiatives likely will create opportunities for adversaries such as Russia, China and Iran to expand influence and illicit financial operations.