[Infowarrior] - CIA Director: WikiLeaks a 'non-state hostile intelligence service'

[Richard Forno]

CIA Director: WikiLeaks a 'non-state hostile intelligence service'

By Morgan Chalfant - 04/13/17 03:44 PM EDT

http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/328730-cia-director-wikileaks-a-non-state-hostile-intelligence-service

CIA Director Mike Pompeo on Thursday hammered WikiLeaks, calling the organization a "non-state hostile intelligence service." 

In his first major public appearance since taking the top intelligence post in President Trump's administration, Pompeo took aim at WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who leaked confidential information to WikiLeaks before seeking refuge in Russia..

"It's time to call out Wikileaks for what it really is: A non-state hostile intelligence service often abetted by state actors like Russia,” he said.

Pompeo said disclosures by Assange and Snowden have done "great harm to our nation’s national security and they will continue to do so in the long term." 

Trump’s administration has been publicly critical of WikiLeaks since inauguration, even though Trump staunchly backed them as a candidate.

WikiLeaks targeted Trump’s opponent Hillary Clinton throughout the campaign, publishing hacked emails from her campaign chairman and the Democratic National Committee that led to damaging  leaks.

Trump declared on the campaign trail, “I love WikiLeaks.”