Asked for comment, Brittany Bramell, the CIA director of public affairs, told CNN: "CNN's narrative that the Central Intelligence Agency makes life-or-death decisions based on anything other than objective analysis and sound collection is simply false. Misguided speculation that the President's handling of our nation's most sensitive intelligence—which he has access to each and every day—drove an alleged exfiltration operation is inaccurate."
A spokesperson for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declined to comment. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said, "CNN's reporting is not only incorrect, it has the potential to put lives in danger."
There were no comments from the intelligence community. There were two statements from PR departments.
The CIA PR Director didn’t say the story was inaccurate. She said the misguided speculation was inaccurate. Which could mean anything. I doubt she knows the real reasons for the extradition, she’s a mouthpiece. And from the White House we get mostly lies, so I dismiss that comment entirely.
Pompeo’s Silence says something as he would be the guy with direct knowledge of what drove this decision.
