Gina Haspel
Gina Haspel makes history as she becomes the first woman to ever be named director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Haspel’s nomination by president Trump comes after the firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who will be replaced with former CIA director, Mike Pompeo.
Many wonder if Gina will do a good job in the high profile position. Here we’ll tell you what we know about her so you can be the judge of that. The 61-year-old career intelligence officer has been working her whole life for the CIA, beginning in 1985. She has held senior positions both at home and abroad.
Well-respected in the intelligence community, Her leadership positions in Washington include deputy director of the National Clandestine Service and chief of staff for the director of the National Clandestine Service.
In 2002 she ran a CIA prison in Thailand –where terror suspects were waterboarded and underwent other interrogation techniques.
On the controversial side, The Post reported –Haspel was part of a group of CIA officials involved in the decision to destroy videotapes of interrogation sessions that left some detainees on the brink of physical collapse. She was then picked to run the CIA’s clandestine operations unit in 2013 –however the promotion was blocked due to her history of torture.
Ms Haspel was later cleared of any wrongdoing and officials said she had been following orders in destroying the tapes.
She has been awarded the George H. W. Bush Award for excellence in counterterrorism; the Donovan Award; the Intelligence Medal of Merit; and the Presidential Rank Award, the most prestigious award in the federal civil service.
Most recently, she was appointed deputy director of the CIA by Trump in February 2017. Ms Haspel’s appointment still needs to be confirmed by the Senate.
Gina Haspel has worked most of her life clandestinely and has certainly kept a low profile prior to her appointment. Not much is known about her family life or even if she is currently married or not.
More Stories for you