Gina Haspel has been selected by the Trump administration to serve as deputy director of the CIA, agency director Mike Pompeo announced Thursday afternoon.
“Gina is an exemplary intelligence officer and a devoted patriot who brings more than 30 years of Agency experience to the job. She is also a proven leader with an uncanny ability to get things done and to inspire those around her,” Pompeo said in a statement. “We are fortunate that someone of her intellect, skill, and experience will be our deputy director. I know she will do an outstanding job, and I look forward to working with her closely in the years ahead.”
Haspel is a 32-year veteran of the intelligence agency, including a number of years spent overseas, which Director of National Intelligence James Clapper harped on in his response to the news. The release stated she is the “first female career CIA officer to be named” to this position. Avril Haines was the first woman to serve as CIA deputy director from 2015 to 2017 under former President Barack Obama.
“She has the broad-gauged experience from both foreign and domestic assignments to serve as the right-arm for Director Pompeo,” Clapper said in a statement. “I am particularly gratified, since she has also been a strong proponent for integration, not only within CIA, but across the intelligence community.”
While based in Washington, Haspel was named to deputy director of the National Clandestine Service and of the National Clandestine Service for Foreign Intelligence and Covert Action, in addition to being appointed chief of staff for the director of the National Clandestine Service, and in the Counterterrorist Center.
“What a wonderful choice for deputy director, one that will be celebrated by current and former agency officers alike,” former CIA Director Michael Hayden said. “Ms. Haspel has responded with dignity, professionalism and honor to everything the Agency and nation have asked her to do. I am sure that she will be for Director Pompeo what Steve Kappes was for me — a trusted friend, lieutenant and guide to the sometimes opaque corridors of American espionage.”
Correction: An earlier version of the story stated Haspel was the first woman to be appointed to this position.
