ABC Relays Concerns National Security Threatened by Dem Attacks on CIA

On the July 12 World News Sunday, ABC correspondent John Hendren filed a report relaying concerns by a former CIA agent that recent attacks on the CIA has hurt the agency’s morale and will weaken its ability to protect America. Hendren even ran clips of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky accusing the CIA of lying as examples of "harsh accusations" that have created a "rift" between Congress and the CIA.

Anchor Dan Harris introduced the report: "The CIA is, of course, an agency that largely operates in secrecy. There are concerns tonight that two full-blown investigations of the agency might undermine its ability to gather intelligence. John Hendren has that part of the story."

Hendren introduced clips from former CIA agent Robert Baer:

JOHN HENDREN: This legendary spy sees dark days ahead.

ROBERT BAER, FORMER CIA AGENT: It's one of the last nails in the CIA's coffin. It's finished. It's over. It's done.

HENDREN: Bob Baer, whose exploits as a case officer in the Middle East made him the model for George Clooney's role in Syriana, says the damage at CIA has already taken its toll.

BAER: It's demoralizing the rank and file completely. I've been getting e-mails from officers overseas, you know, they're talking about quitting.

The ABC correspondent then tied in Democrats like Pelosi and Schakowsky:

HENDREN: With rising calls for investigations into CIA tactics and harsh accusations-

NANCY PELOSI, HOUSE SPEAKER: The CIA was misleading the Congress.

REP. JAN SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL): I know that I've been lied to.

HENDREN: -the rift between Congress and the CIA is so bitter that when analysts head to Capitol Hill, the agency gives them this stock response, "I'm sorry, but I will be unable to continue our dialogue if you continue to question my integrity or that of my agency."

After a soundbite of former national security official Richard Clarke dismissing complaints from the CIA, and a recounting of the restrictions placed on the CIA in the 1970s, Hendren ended with a clip of Baer expressing fears that all the attacks on the CIA could lead to another 9/11 attack:

BAER: When you have people running for the doors, and they continue running for the doors, and it's going to hurt our national security, it is going to interfere with stopping another 9/11.

HENDREN: If there are hearings, that is a line that will be heard over and over again on Capitol Hill. John Hendren, ABC News, Washington.

Below is a complete transcript of the report from the July 12 World News Sunday:

DAN HARRIS: The CIA is, of course, an agency that largely operates in secrecy. There are concerns tonight that two full-blown investigations of the agency might undermine its ability to gather intelligence. John Hendren has that part of the story.

JOHN HENDREN: This legendary spy sees dark days ahead.

ROBERT BAER, FORMER CIA AGENT: It's one of the last nails in the CIA's coffin. It's finished. It's over. It's done.

HENDREN: Bob Baer, whose exploits as a case officer in the Middle East made him the model for George Clooney's role in Syriana, says the damage at CIA has already taken its toll.

BAER: It's demoralizing the rank and file completely. I've been getting e-mails from officers overseas, you know, they’re talking about quitting.

HENDREN: With rising calls for investigations into CIA tactics and harsh accusations-

NANCY PELOSI, HOUSE SPEAKER: The CIA was misleading the Congress.

REP. JAN SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL): I know that I've been lied to.

HENDREN: -the rift between Congress and the CIA is so bitter that when analysts head to Capitol Hill, the agency gives them this stock response, "I'm sorry, but I will be unable to continue our dialogue if you continue to question my integrity or that of my agency."

RICHARD CLARKE, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIAL: The CIA has become a master at saying to Congress, "If you do your job and supervise us, it will hurt our morale. And if our morale is hurt, we won't be able to do our job." That’s largely a myth.

HENDREN: CIA insiders say the agency hasn't faced this kind of scrutiny since the 1970s, when Congress probed extreme tactics, like allegedly hiring the mafia to kill Cuba’s Fidel Castro. Those hearings led to a whole host of restrictions on the nation’s intelligence agencies, many of which were relaxed after the 9/11 attacks. With rising criticism and poisoned relations with Congress, he says, the agency's headquarters feel like a morgue.

BAER: When you have people running for the doors, and they continue running for the doors, and it’s going to hurt our national security, it is going to interfere with stopping another 9/11.

HENDREN: If there are hearings, that is a line that will be heard over and over again on Capitol Hill. John Hendren, ABC News, Washington.