James Clapper

James Robert Clapper Jr., born on March 14, 1941, is a distinguished retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force and a prominent figure in the realm of national intelligence. His career spans several pivotal roles within the United States Intelligence Community, showcasing his expertise and leadership in various capacities.

Clapper's tenure as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) from 1992 to 1995 marked a significant phase in his career. He was the inaugural director of defense intelligence within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, where he also served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. His leadership extended to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), where he held the position from September 2001 until June 2006.

In June 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Clapper to succeed Dennis C. Blair as the United States Director of National Intelligence, a role he was unanimously confirmed for by the Senate on August 5, 2010. However, his tenure was not without controversy; following the June 2013 leak regarding the NSA's collection of telephone metadata, Clapper faced accusations of perjury for his earlier statements to Congress.

Despite the challenges, Clapper continued to serve until November 2016, when he resigned as director of national intelligence at the conclusion of President Obama's term. In May 2017, he transitioned to a role as a Distinguished Senior Fellow for Intelligence and National Security at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) in Washington, D.C. Shortly thereafter, in August 2017, he joined CNN as a national security analyst, further contributing to the discourse on intelligence and national security.