The Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines, has ordered intelligence agencies to dismiss over 100 employees after they allegedly engaged in sexually inappropriate conversations on the National Security Agency’s (NSA) operational information-sharing system, IntelLink.
In a Fox News interview, Haines stated that she had directed the termination of all implicated personnel and revoked their security clearances for handling classified information. The NSA later issued a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, acknowledging the existence of posts that appeared to show inappropriate discussions among intelligence personnel and confirming an ongoing investigation.
Before Haines’ interview and the NSA’s statement, Christopher Rufo, a conservative blogger and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research (MIPR), exposed instances of inappropriate conversations on IntelLink, citing information from one current and one former NSA employee, Rufo revealed portions of explicit chat content exchanged over the past two years. He reported that these conversations covered various topics, including sexual relationships and polyamory.
IntelLink, primarily used by intelligence analysts for information exchange, prohibits posting content unrelated to official duties. Violations can result in disciplinary action. Speaking to The Washington Post, an intelligence contractor explained that intelligence professionals often chat while working due to their restricted access to the outside world.
Larry Pfeiffer, a former senior intelligence official and director of the Hayden Center at George Mason University, told The Washington Post that issues with IntelLink and agency chat rooms have persisted for years. He noted past reports of harassment, political discussions, and racist comments.
While oversight investigations and administrative actions have been taken in response to such reports, Pfeiffer said he could not recall any previous terminations due to chat room misconduct. He emphasized the unprecedented nature of the decision, stating that he had no recollection of a DNI ever ordering the dismissal of intelligence personnel for such reasons.