| | | |  | | By Amy Mackinnon, John Sakellariadis and Eric Bazail-Eimil | | Presented by |  | | | | 
Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's new Director of the FBI, speaks during a swearing-in ceremony, Feb. 21, 2025, in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington. | Mark Schiefelbein/AP | With help from Phelim Kine, Nahal Toosi, Eli Stokols, Dan Bloom and Daniel Lippman Subscribe here | Email Robbie | Email Eric If you were even partway sentient during the first Trump administration, you’ll recall that investigations into Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and the Trump campaign’s ties to Moscow dominated the news for much of Trump’s first term in office. It gave allies of the president in Congress and beyond an opportunity to prove their loyalty, rising to prominence by challenging the origins of the probes and, at times, appearing to undermine the work of the intelligence community. Many now have been appointed to top jobs at the CIA and FBI, giving them immense power to shape the U.S. intelligence community during President DONALD TRUMP’s second term. It speaks to the far-reaching impact that the probes had on shaping Trump’s orbit, and will likely fuel concerns about the politicization of intelligence during his second term. The most recent addition to the cohort came Sunday, when Trump appointed DAN BONGINO, a former Secret Service officer and conservative commentator, to serve as deputy director of the FBI. Bongino has written two books attacking the origins of the Russia investigation and described Special Counsel ROBERT MUELLER’s probe into the Trump campaign team’s contacts with Russia as “the biggest scam in modern American history.” As deputy director, Bongingo will oversee much of the day-to-day running of the FBI, working under newly confirmed FBI Director KASH PATEL, who had a meteoric rise during the first Trump administration as a key figure in attempts to undercut the investigation of the Trump campaign’s contacts with Russian officials. Like Bongino, he has sought to challenge the origins of the FBI investigations, attempting to portray it as a politically motivated hit job against Trump. Patel will be working with two other fierce critics of the Russian investigation at Langley. New CIA Director JOHN RATCLIFFE was one of the most outspoken skeptics of Mueller’s probe on the Hill, and he continued trying to poke holes in it later as the director of national intelligence for Trump, alarming career intelligence officials at the time. Ratcliffe’s deputy director is MICHAEL ELLIS, a former senior aide to perhaps the foremost Mueller antagonist at the time: former House Intelligence Committee Chair DEVIN NUNES. (Nunes has his own, albeit minor, intel role in Trump 2.0: chair of a White House spy panel.) Their appointments and past attacks on intelligence agencies are unlikely to reassure anxious career officials in the IC. The legacy of the Russia investigation still shapes the worldview and outlook of people like Ellis, Patel and Ratcliffe, argued one former senior Trump administration official, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about their colleagues. The former official said that those close to Trump feel vindicated by their strident opposition to the probe. Mueller ultimately found no evidence that Trump had colluded with Moscow or that Russia tipped the election in his favor. “I think they are going to be much more comfortable questioning orthodoxy than people who, you know, had never been treated as outcasts,” the former official said. On Thursday, Trump said that he felt he could trust Russian President VLADIMIR PUTIN because the two leaders “had to go through the Russian hoax together.” If the newly installed leaders of the FBI and CIA do make any moves that could raise concerns about the politicization of intelligence, there may be fewer people to call them out. During the first Trump administration “overseers were on the lookout for indications of politicization,” said EMILY HARDING, a former CIA analyst. “There was a robust set of IGs, ombudsmen, whistleblowers and congressional oversight. This time around, that ecosystem seems cowed, which is concerning,” said Harding, who now directs the Intelligence, National Security and Technology Program at CSIS. White House spokesperson HARRISON FIELDS said that there's public mistrust in the country's intelligence community and that the appointments reflect a "need for massive change." "The president has entrusted great patriots like Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, Michael Ellis and John Ratcliffe to execute the president’s commitment to restoring the integrity of our justice system and intelligence community," Fields said.
| | | | A message from Saronic: The U.S. Navy has declared the need for a hybrid fleet – one that integrates vast numbers of unmanned systems operating alongside traditional manned ships. Achieving this will require a transformation in how the U.S. approaches shipbuilding and a dedicated focus on scaling the production of advanced technologies and autonomous warships. Defense technology company Saronic is ready to deliver on these needs. Learn more about what we are building at https://www.shipyardofthefuture.com/ | | | | | BRITS TAKE WASHINGTON: British Prime Minister KEIR STARMER is the warm up act today before Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY comes to Washington on Friday hoping for some sort of security promises from Trump in exchange for a critical minerals deal. Starmer appeared eager to ease the path for Zelenskyy, praising Trump and thanking him “for changing the conversation to bring about the possibility that now we can have a peace deal.” He also handed Trump a letter from KING CHARLES III inviting him to a second state visit. For what it’s worth, the rhetorical love was fairly mutual. A Trump administration official praised London for committing to increasing defense spending ahead of the bilateral meeting, and Trump seemed very touched by the British gestures. But don’t think his visit will only be about Ukraine. London’s also trying to bolster U.S. cooperation with the U.K. on technology and iron out some disagreements over the Chagos Islands deal inked under the Biden administration. Starmer is also trying to ensure the U.S. will back up British troops if they step up to help Ukraine deter Russia following a peace deal. Read: 5 awkward encounters between UK prime ministers and US presidents, by our colleague Noah Keate. ANKARA’S DREAM COME TRUE: The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a Kurdish militant group that has long been a thorn in Turkey’s side, will dissolve and disarm, their top leader announced today, per The New York Times’ Ben Hubbard. PKK leader ABDULLAH ÖCALAN, who has been jailed in Turkey since the 1990s, said in a statement read on his behalf by members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party that Kurdish militants should “convene your congress and make a decision,” noting that the PKK has outlived its utility and should disband. “All groups must lay down their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself,” the statement continued. It’s unclear what Ankara will offer Kurdish militants in exchange for disarmament. And it’s even less obvious what will happen next for Kurdish insurgents in Turkey, as splinter groups may emerge from the PKK’s dissolution, as has been seen in other armed conflicts around the world. Yet the decision of the PKK to lay down their weapons could be a major step toward shifting Turkey’s engagement with Syria. Turkey has long been suspicious of the U.S.’s Syrian Kurdish allies, in part because of its long-standing desire to quash the PKK insurgency, which they blame for various terror attacks and insurgencies against the Turkish state, and has cautiously watched the rise of Syria’s new leaders. THAILAND DEPORTS UYGHURS: The Thai government has deported some 40 Uyghurs to China, despite bipartisan pleas from U.S. officials as well as human rights groups not to hand them over, according to multiple media accounts from the region. The Uyghurs had been detained for more than a decade in Thailand, where they’d sought asylum. Secretary of State MARCO RUBIO had pledged to try to prevent their deportation, as had Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Rubio today condemned the Thai decision, saying in a statement: “As Thailand’s longstanding ally, we are alarmed by this action, which risks running afoul of its international obligations under the U.N. Convention Against Torture and the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.” But Thailand’s failure to heed U.S. requests suggests it does not fear retaliation from Trump — at least not as much as it worries about China’s influence. Trump has reportedly expressed sympathy for Beijing’s view of Uyghurs as a terror threat. Despite Rubio’s comments, the new Trump administration has made human rights and international law a low priority, including by cutting funding for many groups that aid vulnerable minorities globally. Rubio in his statement repeated U.S. allegations that China has been carrying out a genocide against the majority-Muslim Uyghurs. Beijing has detained large numbers of Uyghurs in camps and destroyed mosques, cemeteries and other symbols of the group’s culture. In a statement, the Chinese embassy in Washington denied accusations it mistreats Uyghurs and insisted that “the lawful rights and interests of individuals concerned are fully protected.” (The Thai embassy did not respond to a request for comment.)
| | | | Donald Trump's unprecedented effort to reshape the federal government is consuming Washington. To track this seismic shift, we're relaunching one of our signature newsletters. Sign up to get West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government in your inbox. | | | | | IT’S THURSDAY: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily! This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at rgramer@politico.com and ebazail@politico.com, and follow Robbie and Eric on X @RobbieGramer and @ebazaileimil. While you’re at it, follow the rest of POLITICO’s global security team: @dave_brown24,@HeidiVogt, @jessicameyers, @RosiePerper, @nahaltoosi, @PhelimKine, @ak_mack, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary,@reporterjoe, @JackDetsch, @samuelskove, @magmill95, and @johnnysaks130.
| | DPRK’S CYBER SWIPING: The FBI is officially accusing two hacking groups tied to North Korea of committing one of the biggest cryptocurrency heists in history. As The Associated Press’ Jon Gambrell reports, the FBI said late Wednesday that a team of hackers named TraderTraitor and the Lazarus Group were responsible for stealing $1.5 billion in assets from Dubai-based crypto exchange Bybit, the first U.S. government confirmation of the breach. Analysts had widely attributed the hack to North Korea, but it’s the first time a federal law enforcement agency pointed the finger at Pyongyang for this specific theft. It’s the latest cyber theft from Pyongyang, which South Korea has accused of nabbing roughly $1.2 billion in cryptocurrency and other virtual assets over the past five years. North Korea uses cryptocurrency to evade sweeping international sanctions and launder funds that can then be used in support of the country’s nuclear program.
| | TRUMP’S AUK-WHAT MOMENT: Trump seems to not quite know what exactly the AUKUS pact to build nuclear submarines does. In the Oval Office with Starmer today, a reporter asked Trump if the two leaders were going to discuss the AUKUS pact, to which Trump responded “what does that mean?” The reporter then explained the U.S. pact with Australia and the United Kingdom. The moment is a funny denouement to what had been a simmering saga in some circles over whether Trump would move to kill the agreement, which would see the U.S. develop nuclear submarines in tandem with Australia and the U.K. and in turn bolster the nuclear deterrent against China in the Indo-Pacific. Boosters of both Trump and AUKUS, notably Rep. MICHAEL McCAUL (R-Texas), who previously chaired the House Foreign Affairs Committee, had insisted ahead of the November election that Trump would not back out of the deal, saying that Trump valued the importance of countering China.
| | | | A message from Saronic:  
| | | | | PHELAN ON DECK: Trump’s pick to lead the Navy, JOHN PHELAN, faced the music at today’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing as he vowed he could fix the Navy’s chronic issues building ships and improve its operations. As our own Joe Gould reported (for Pros!), Phelan, who leads investment firm Rugger Management, argued that his ability to manage large organizations and their budgets and his “sense of urgency” will help the Navy restore its footing (or should we say, shoring instead?). Senate Armed Services Committee Chair ROGER WICKER (R-Miss.) voiced optimism Phelan would help get shipbuilding “back on track.” And Democrats on the committee seemed intrigued by Phelan’s background. Sen. TIM KAINE (D-Va.), the top Democratic on the Seapower subcommittee, called Phelan a “nontraditional nominee” before adding that he’s “nominated for a position where the tradition doesn't seem to be working … and so that makes me intrigued with what you might do differently." But Democrats also voiced concerns about the planned cuts to the Pentagon’s civilian workforce and budget. Phelan downplayed the plans and called them a “useful exercise.”
| | CHINA’S NUCLEAR MESSAGE: As the U.S. floats restoring nuclear disarmament talks with its two biggest adversaries, Beijing is making it clear it wants the U.S. to take the first step before they reduce their stockpiles. At a press conference today, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. WU QIAN told reporters that the U.S. possesses the largest nuclear arsenal and as such should take the first step and proceed with some unilateral disarmament. Wu added that China maintains a no-first-use policy and only possesses nuclear weapons for defensive purposes, unlike other powers. "On defense budget, the U.S. military spending has topped the world for many years in a row and is higher than that of the following eight countries combined, which deeply concerns the international community,” Wu said. “I believe that the U.S. should put 'America First' into practice in this regard, and be the first to cut its nuclear arsenal and military expenditure.”
| | — The Economic Security Project is adding ADRIANE BROWN to be senior communications director. Brown previously was director of public affairs at the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
| | — Sune Engel Rasmussen, The Wall Street Journal: Syria’s Rebels-Turned-Rulers See This City as a Model for the Country — Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic: The island nation whose history reflects America’s — Matin Bek, Cipher Brief: Taliban’s Internal Power Struggle: A Regime on the Brink
| | — Georgetown University's Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues and Howard University's Center for African Studies, 9 a.m.: Africa-China engagements and the impact of the Trump administration's executive orders on tariffs and more — Georgetown University's Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues, 9 a.m.: Affluence without influence: The inducement dilemma in China's economic statecraft — Atlantic Council, 10 a.m.: A book discussion on Yaroslav Trofimov’s "No Country for Love," focusing on "Ukraine's historical struggle against authoritarianism amid Russia's continued aggression." — Center for Strategic and International Studies, 10 a.m.: A discussion on a new report titled "The United States Cannot Take Semiconductor Design Leadership for Granted." — Cato Institute, 10:30 a.m.: A book discussion on "Islam and Statecraft: Religious Soft Power in the Arab Gulf States." — Wilson Center Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies, 11 a.m.: Seeking Peace across the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict: Writers from opposing sides — Wilson Center Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies, 2 p.m.: War termination: Prospects in the short to medium term — Hudson Institute, 4 p.m.: A discussion with Ukrainian President Voloydmyr Zelenskyy on “securing a lasting peace in Ukraine" — Institute for Policy Studies, 4 p.m.: The implications of Trump Cuba policy with Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister CARLOS FERNANDEZ DE COSSIO. Thanks to our editor, Heidi Vogt, who should be investigated by the FBI. Thanks to our producer, Emily Lussier, who should lead the probe into Heidi’s wrongdoing.
| | | | A message from Saronic: America's maritime industrial base has long been the backbone of the U.S. Navy, building the ships that won wars and maintained our maritime supremacy. But now, our adversaries are catching up in naval capability and have far surpassed us in shipbuilding capacity. It's time to launch the fleet of the future.
Just as American industry rapidly built naval ships in World War II, Saronic is building a new generation of autonomous warships to protect and defend the U.S. and our allies. We're revitalizing our maritime industrial base by creating the most advanced shipyard in the world to build Autonomous Surface Vessels at scale – from small tactical boats to large ships – quickly and affordably. To the growing chorus of voices across the nation that have called for a transformation in America's shipbuilding – it's time for action. Saronic is leading the way. https://www.shipyardofthefuture.com/ | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | |
