The Trump administration prevented President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team from meeting with counterparts at Pentagon intelligence agencies this week, a former senior intelligence official familiar with intelligence transition discussions claims.
According to CNN, this latest obstacle means that Biden’s team has not yet met with important officials from the military intelligence agencies within the Defense Department. Limiting access to agencies like the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, even as all other meetings by Biden review teams appear to be happening smoothly now after weeks of unnecessary delay.
The Pentagon denies any effort to block the President-elect’s team. A senior defense official told CNN that briefings had taken place on Friday for transition officials on military matters, including senior-level policy and international security issues, but admitted none had taken place regarding intelligence.
The delays come even as the General Services Administration gave a green light on November 23 for officials at federal agencies across the government to begin meeting with Biden’s Agency Review Teams, which is essential to ensuring a smooth transfer of power.
Many believe Biden team’s problems with the Defense Department transition office stem from a Trump loyalist who connected to efforts to spread conspiracy theories about the President-elect.
