WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has long viewed the nation's spy services with suspicion, accusing them of trying to undermine his first term and campaigns. Now that he's returning to the White House , Trump's promises to overhaul the U.S.
intelligence agencies put him on a collision course with one of most secretive and powerful parts of government. For the CIA and other intelligence agencies, the start of Trump's second administration is a way to reset an often challenging relationship with a leader who has in the past dismissed them as the deepest of the deep state — Trump's label for the thousands of career federal employees that carry out the work of government regardless of who is president. For Trump, the return to power offers an opportunity to follow through on promises to clean house of officials that he believes have tried to challenge his leadership and criticize his actions .
The stakes of the relationship with the spy agencies couldn't be higher and are almost certain to be reflected in Trump's appointments to top positions. Former and current intelligence officials also are watching for clues indicating whether Trump will use U.S.
intelligence to inform foreign policy and national security decisions or whether he will realize the fears of critics, who worry he could spill classified secrets or seek to weaponize intelligence work against Americans. “If he comes in committed to retribution and cleaning house, that’s going to impact the agency. We're going .
