White House chief of staff Denis McDonough has asked White House counsel, Neil Eggleston, to investigate how the name of the CIA’s top spy in Afghanistan ended up being disclosed to reporters by the White House.
The officer’s name was mistakenly included in a list of 15 individuals attending a briefing with Obama during his visit to Bagram Airfield on Sunday. It was provided to the press traveling with the president.
While considered a serious crime when done intentionally, the White House appears to be playing ti down as little more than an administrative, or process issue.
Intentionally exposing the identity of undercover CIA operatives is a crime. Earlier this year, former CIA officer John Kiriakou was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after admitting he had told a reporter the name of an undercover officer.
Most media outlets are withholding the individual’s name at the request of the White House.