Erik Prince Proposed Private Spy Network To Trump Administration

What’s the story?

The Intercept has published an explosive report, alleging that former Blackwater CEO, and brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, is pursuing setting up a global, private spy network "as a means of countering “deep state" enemies in the intelligence community seeking to undermine Donald Trump’s presidency.”

Yup. That would be spies to spy on spies. For the president.

According to the report, Prince, along with his partner John Maguire, a former CIA officer, and Oliver North, famously convicted in the Iran-Contra scandal, have pitched the idea of the intelligence network, which would only answer to the president, and not to any existing U.S. intelligence agency.

Prince denied the project to the Intercept. White House officials denied it as well, despite multiple (unnamed sources) in the intelligence community who the Intercept quotes as corroborating the story.

Read like a spy novel to you? Seem outlandish? Maybe even a little paranoid? I thought so, too. Then Maggie Haberman of the New York Times posted to Twitter, verifying that a pitch was made to White House officials:

Got clarification on this from a WH official, who says administration was pitched but no sign Trump was briefed https://t.co/m7PNNVP6rW

— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) December 5, 2017

Doesn’t mean they’re going to pursue it, but definitely confirming the plan exists. CNN also confirmed that the administration had received the pitch, but quoted a White House official who said the proposal was "going nowhere".

What do you think?

Mind blown? Or, are you not surprised at all? Do you think the administration will pursue this program? Should they? Is this a sign of dangerous times ahead, or just more intrigue that will go nowhere?

Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!

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— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: CNN Politics via Twitter )