Trump loves to attack Obama’s former top spies — except when they agree with him

Trump called former top spies “political hacks.” He’s using them to promote his CIA nominee.

President Donald Trump has called John Brennan and James Clapper, two of the Obama administration’s top intelligence officials, “liars and leakers” and “political hacks,” and referred to one of them as a “lying machine.” But in an odd twist, the White House is using their kind words about Trump’s CIA director pick, Gina Haspel, to promote her controversial nomination.

On its website, the White House released a full-throated defense of Haspel, calling her “the Right Person to Lead the CIA.” The fact sheet contains laudatory statements by former US intelligence leaders, including Brennan and Clapper.

Clapper, the director of national intelligence under President Barack Obama, said he “think[s] the world of Gina; she is capable, smart, very experienced, well respected by the Agency rank and file, and a great person,” per the fact sheet. And Brennan, Obama’s CIA director, said Haspel “has the experience — the breadth and depth — on intelligence issues.”

There’s no doubting the sincerity of their statements. In fact, it’s likely the two men do support Haspel, which is why the White House would want to highlight their quotes. Haspel faces a tough confirmation fight in the Senate due to her past involvement overseeing the CIA’s torture program. The administration — and particularly the CIA — wants to deflect attacks by pointing out that she has support from both Democrats and Republicans.