Much has been reported about intelligence briefings for sitting presidents, how different presidents receive these briefings, known as the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), and how presidents deal with the intelligence they receive. Even before inauguration, the intelligence community provides classified intelligence briefings to candidates during the election campaign and to a president-elect during the transition. These briefings often are the first step in an intelligence community’s “getting to know the President.” Bringing classified intelligence to candidates who are often unfamiliar with how foreign intelligence is collected, analyzed, and protected presents many challenges. Join us for a discussion of this practice authorized by every President dating back to Harry Truman in 1952.
Our distinguished panel includes: Peter Clement, Chief of CIA’s Presidential Transition Team (2008) and PDB daily briefer for Vice-President Cheney, NSC Adviser Rice, and Deputy NSC Adviser Hadley (2003-2004); Dawn R. Eilenberger, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence and Assistant DNI for Policy & Strategy, Office of the DNI, she managed DNI’s intelligence community's Presidential transition effort (2016); John McLaughlin, Former Deputy Director and Acting Director of Central Intelligence (2000-2004), he provided briefings to candidates, presidents-elect, and to sitting and former presidents; and John Moseman, previously Chief of Staff, Director of Central Intelligence, CIA Director of Congressional Affairs, and Senior Advisor to the DNI's Transition Teams for the 2008, 2012, and 2016 elections.
Former Assistant DCI for Analysis and Production and author of Intelligence: From Secrets to Policy, Dr. Mark M. Lowenthal, will moderate the discussion which will share insights on: How does the intelligence community prepare for these briefings? How have these briefings changed or differed over time? Do candidates get “the good stuff”? And more.
Please join us for this timely discussion, and then you’ll be able to ask questions via our online platform.
Co-sponsored by the Council on Intelligence Issues
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