James Clapper

James Clapper is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general who served as the fourth Director of National Intelligence under President Barack Obama. His lengthy career in the United States Intelligence Community spanned over five decades, including senior roles in the Defense Intelligence Agency and as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. Clapper is a prominent figure in modern American intelligence history, known for his stewardship of the intelligence community during pivotal events like the operation against Osama bin Laden and the controversy surrounding global surveillance programs.

Early life and education

James Robert Clapper Jr. was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and spent much of his youth on various United States Air Force bases due to his father's military career. He attended high school in Washington, D.C., before enrolling at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he joined the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. He graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in government and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Clapper later earned a Master of Arts in political science from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota while serving on active duty.

Military career

Commissioned through the ROTC, Clapper began his military service as an intelligence officer. He served two tours during the Vietnam War, first as an electronic intelligence analyst at Tan Son Nhut Air Base and later as the director of intelligence for the 432d Tactical Fighter Wing at Udon Royal Thai Air Force Base. His career included assignments with the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Central Intelligence Agency. He achieved the rank of lieutenant general and served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from 1991 to 1995, overseeing its work during the Gulf War, before retiring from active duty in 1995.

Intelligence career

Following his military retirement, Clapper held several key positions within the defense intelligence sector. He worked for private firms like Booz Allen Hamilton and served as director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency from 2001 to 2006. In 2007, President George W. Bush appointed him as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, a role in which he oversaw all United States Department of Defense intelligence agencies, including the National Security Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency. His tenure was marked by efforts to improve coordination among the various defense intelligence entities.

Director of National Intelligence

Nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate, Clapper served as Director of National Intelligence from 2010 to 2017. He led the United States Intelligence Community through significant events, including the raid that killed Osama bin Laden and the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. His tenure was heavily impacted by the global surveillance disclosures by Edward Snowden, which revealed programs like PRISM. In 2013, he gave controversial testimony before the Congress regarding the collection of data on American citizens, for which he later apologized. He also publicly affirmed the assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election.

Post-government career

Since leaving government service, Clapper has been a frequent commentator on intelligence and national security matters. He joined the faculty at George Washington University as a distinguished lecturer and serves as a national security analyst for CNN. He authored a memoir, *Facts and Fears: Hard Truths from a Life in Intelligence*, published in 2018. Clapper has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, particularly regarding threats to democratic institutions and the politicization of intelligence.

Personal life

Clapper married Sue Clapper in 1963, and they have two children. He is known for his straightforward, often blunt, communication style. His awards and decorations include three Defense Distinguished Service Medals and the Legion of Merit. A self-described independent, Clapper has stated his views have been shaped by a career of non-partisan intelligence service. He resides in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.