Sue Gordon Resigns As Deputy Director Of National Intelligence After Being Overlooked For Promotion

Brushing aside historical protocol, president Donald Trump has again not nominated the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence to succeed the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Instead of nominating Susan M. Gordon, the current Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence as DNI replacing Dan Coats, Trump brought in an outsider, Joseph Maguire, to lead the 16-member United States Intelligence Community (USIC).

Gordon, a career CIA professional, resigned after meeting with the president and seemingly upon learning the news. Trump announced her resignation in a tweet.

Coats recommended to Trump that Gordon replace him, but White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said the administration wanted someone else.

Maguire, who was appointed Acting DNI by Trump, is the current Director of the National Counterterrorism Center. In light of the support Gordon enjoys in the Senate, it is unclear if Maguire will be confirmed as DNI.

Trump’s former DNI nominee, congressman John Ratcliffe, withdrew his nomination Aug. 2 after media discovered he falsely embellished and misrepresented his qualifications for the job. Ratcliffe was also assailed by the Senate for his utter lack of experience in intelligence.

Washington sources cited by CNN said Gordon wasn’t likely to be retained because she "is viewed by some in the administration as someone who is not going to be the type of political loyalist Trump wants in that role."

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he’d be "shocked" if Gordon weren't selected as acting director.

"Well, the White house certainly has that ability, but she's more than capable of handling that job," he said. "I would be shocked, because that's what principal deputies are in place for."

One Democratic congressional official said "if he appoints anyone other than Sue Gordon as acting DNI, the Senate will raise holy hell," according to NBC News.

Gordon’s non-appointment is again fueling criticism Trump is politicizing the apolitical USIC, and will reward his loyalist appointees at the expense of long-serving career professionals.

Despite her resignation, Gordon still retains strong support in the Senate. Some senators have expressed outrage at Trump passing her over as DNI.

Gordon recently assured Burr and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the ranking Democrat on the intelligence committee, she’d stay on and serve as acting DNI.

Warner praised Gordon’s tenure and called her departure “a great loss not only to the intelligence community, but to the country.” He blasted Trump for Gordon’s reesignation.

“President Trump has repeatedly demonstrated that he is seemingly incapable of hearing facts that contradict his own views,” said Warner.

“The mission of the intelligence community is to speak truth to power. Yet in pushing out two dedicated public servants in as many weeks, once again the President has shown that he has no problem prioritizing his political ego even if it comes at the expense of our national security.”