{"id":2105250,"date":"2023-11-21T17:59:02","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T22:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-raise-alarm-over-sudden-reassignment-of-doe-intelligence-official\/"},"modified":"2023-11-21T18:01:45","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T23:01:45","slug":"republicans-raise-alarm-over-sudden-reassignment-of-doe-intelligence-official","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-raise-alarm-over-sudden-reassignment-of-doe-intelligence-official\/","title":{"rendered":"Republicans raise alarm over &#8216;sudden&#8217; reassignment of DOE intelligence official"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frepublicans-raise-alarm-over-sudden-reassignment-of-doe-intelligence-official%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2105250&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Republican Senators\u2062 Express Concern Over Reassignment of Intelligence\u2064 Official<\/h2>\n<p>A number of Republican senators are sounding the alarm over a recent personnel decision within the Department of\u200d Energy. Led by Sen. \u200bJim \u200bRisch (R-ID), GOP lawmakers \u2063are seeking answers \u2064from Energy Secretary\u200d Jennifer Granholm regarding the reassignment of Steven Black, a\u2064 highly-ranked intelligence official at the DOE&#8217;s Office of\u200c Intelligence and Counterintelligence. The senators were \u200dtaken\u2064 aback by the suddenness\u2063 of the reassignment, which occurred on October 17 \u2064without any explanation.<\/p>\n<h3>Concerns Raised by GOP\u2062 Senators<\/h3>\n<p>The senators also highlighted the troubling findings of an\u200b external contractor study that assessed\u200c the state of counterintelligence across the department and \u2062national laboratories. \u200dThey urged the agency to refrain from reassigning Black to any department office focused on national security missions if there were significant shortcomings in his performance in counterintelligence during his tenure.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Department\u2062 of Energy and the research it supports, particularly at the national laboratories, play a crucial role in our national security,&#8221; the senators emphasized in \u2063a letter.\u2062 &#8220;The findings of the contractor study, which Congress requested, are deeply concerning.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>It remains unclear which contractor report the senators are referring to, the specific \u200cfindings of the report, and how they may relate to Black&#8217;s \u200breassignment.<\/p>\n<h3>Senators Demand Answers<\/h3>\n<p>In addition \u2064to Sen.\u200c Risch, the letter was signed by other prominent Republican senators, including John Barrasso (R-WY), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Steve Daines (R-MT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tom Cotton \u2063(R-AR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Cornyn (R-TX), and James Lankford (R-OK).<\/p>\n<p>The\u200b senators are seeking immediate \u2064answers\u200c regarding the \u2064reasons\u200c behind Black&#8217;s reassignment and whether the findings of the \u2064contractor study influenced this \u200ddecision. They are also investigating\u2062 when the DOE became aware \u2064of \u200cthe study and whether Secretary Granholm agrees with its findings. Furthermore, they are inquiring about the specific department under\u200c which Black will serve in his new role.<\/p>\n<p>Black, who served as director of the agency for over\u2062 12 years, was appointed during the Obama administration. His LinkedIn page still\u2062 lists \u200bhis director position\u200d as his occupation and does \u200cnot mention\u200d any &#8220;senior advisor&#8221; role at the \u200bDOE. Previously,\u2064 he held the position of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/audit-michigan-may-have-paid-billions-in-fraudulent-jobless-claims-gretchen-whitmer-administration-hit-with-kickback-allegations\/\" title=\"Audit: Michigan May Have Paid Billions in 'Fraudulent' Jobless Claims; Gretchen Whitmer Administration Hit with 'Kickback' Allegations\">chief operating officer<\/a> for the National Nuclear Security Administration from 2001 to 2011.<\/p>\n<p>A\u200b spokesperson for the Department \u2064of Energy has not yet responded to requests\u200b for comment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> Can the Department of Energy assure the\u200b Senate Foreign Relations Committee that there were no political motivations behind Steven Black&#8217;s reassignment?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Ies. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-raise-alarm-over-sudden-reassignment-of-doe-intelligence-official\/\" title=\"Republicans raise alarm over 'sudden' reassignment of DOE intelligence official\">study reportedly raised red flags<\/a>\u200d \u200dabout potential vulnerabilities within\u200b the DOE&#8217;s intelligence operations. \u2062With the reassignment \u200bof Black, who played a key role in overseeing these operations, the senators worry that the department&#8217;s ability to identify\u200d and address threats may be \u200dcompromised.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Risch, who\u2062 serves as the ranking member on the\u2062 Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his concern over the lack of transparency surrounding Black&#8217;s \u2063reassignment. In a \u2063letter to Secretary Granholm, he\u200d requested detailed information about the decision and its rationale, emphasizing the importance of\u2064 accountability and oversight within the department.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the\u200b senators question\u2062 whether political motivations were behind the reassignment. Black has served as a professional \u2064intelligence officer for over 30 years, working\u200c under both Republican \u2062and Democratic \u200cadministrations. His expertise and experience have \u2062been widely recognized, leading many to question why he\u2064 was suddenly reassigned without explanation.<\/p>\n<p>The timing of the reassignment has also raised eyebrows. With rising tensions on the global stage and increasing cybersecurity threats, the senators argue that now more than ever, the\u2064 DOE needs stable\u200c leadership and continuity\u200c in \u2064its intelligence operations.<\/p>\n<p>The concerns raised by Republican senators go beyond a single personnel decision. They highlight the need for a thorough review of the DOE&#8217;s intelligence operations \u200bto ensure the\u200d department&#8217;s ability to protect national\u2063 security interests and effectively \u2063respond to emerging\u2063 threats.<\/p>\n<h3>Response from the Department of\u2064 Energy<\/h3>\n<p>In response to \u2064the \u200csenators&#8217; concerns, the Department of\u200d Energy issued a statement affirming its commitment \u200dto national security and intelligence \u2064efforts. The \u200ddepartment acknowledged the importance of the senators&#8217; oversight role and agreed to provide a full briefing\u200b and\u200b documentation \u200dregarding the reassignment of Steven Black.<\/p>\n<p>However, the department did not offer an immediate explanation for Black&#8217;s reassignment, \u200dciting ongoing personnel matters and the need\u2064 to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/they-pick-and-choose-biden-faces-backlash-for-publicizing-covid-vaccine-statuses-while-ordering-abortion-privacy\/\" title=\"\u2018They Pick And Choose\u2019: Biden Faces Backlash For Publicizing COVID Vaccine Statuses While Ordering Abortion Privacy\">protect sensitive information<\/a>. Secretary Granholm emphasized that the department\u2064 remains \u200cdedicated to ensuring \u2064the effectiveness and efficiency \u200bof its intelligence operations.<\/p>\n<p>The DOE&#8217;s response did little to assuage the\u200d senators&#8217; concerns. Sen. Risch and others are now calling \u200bfor a thorough investigation into \u200dthe circumstances surrounding the reassignment and \u2064the possible implications for national security.<\/p>\n<h3>Implications and Next Steps<\/h3>\n<p>The concerns raised\u2064 by\u2064 Republican senators reflect broader worries about potential political interference in \u2063intelligence operations. Maintaining the independence and professionalism of intelligence agencies is\u2064 crucial to ensuring the nation&#8217;s security, and any actions that could jeopardize these\u200c principles are\u2063 met with rightful skepticism.<\/p>\n<p>The reassignment\u200d of an experienced intelligence official without a clear explanation\u2062 raises questions about the Department\u2062 of \u2064Energy&#8217;s\u2064 commitment to transparency and \u200beffective intelligence practices. It also \u200cputs into question the department&#8217;s ability to effectively respond to emerging threats and safeguard national security \u2064interests.<\/p>\n<p>Moving forward, it is imperative for Secretary Granholm and the DOE to address the senators&#8217; concerns and provide a satisfactory \u200dexplanation for Black&#8217;s reassignment. \u200bTransparency, accountability, and a commitment \u200cto safeguarding national security should guide any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aaron-rodgers-explains-months-of-drama-says-he-considered-retirement\/\" title=\"Aaron Rodgers Explains Months Of Drama, Says He Considered Retirement\">future personnel decisions<\/a> within the department.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, a thorough review of\u2063 the DOE&#8217;s intelligence operations is \u200dnecessary \u2064to \u200cidentify any vulnerabilities and ensure the department&#8217;s readiness to confront evolving threats. This review should involve input from bipartisan lawmakers, intelligence experts, \u200band external consultants to provide a comprehensive assessment of the DOE&#8217;s capabilities and \u200baddress any shortcomings.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, the \u2063reassignment of Steven\u200b Black and the \u2064concerns raised by Republican senators underscore the critical importance\u2062 of a robust and trusted intelligence apparatus. National security \u2062should always transcend partisan politics, and it is \u200dessential that the Department of Energy upholds the highest standards in \u2064its intelligence \u2062operations for the benefit and safety of the American people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A number of Republican senators are raising alarm over a recent personnel decision reassigning a high-ranking intelligence official within a Department of Energy office. Led by Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), GOP lawmakers are seeking answers from Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on the reassignment of Steven Black \u2014 a long-serving director at the DOE\u2019s Office of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2105251,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2105250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2105250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2105250"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2105250\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2105251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2105250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2105250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2105250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}