NSA delayed election threat report to avoid ‘deep state’ label, memo shows

A declassified White House memo reveals that the National Security Agency (NSA) delayed the release of an intelligence report regarding foreign targeting of U.S. elections to avoid being labeled as part of the ‘deep state.’

The report, which covered foreign activities dating back to 2014 and included intelligence related to the 2016 presidential election, was originally intended for release in December 2018. However, it faced a 16-month delay due to concerns over sensitive content and the potential identification of political figures through context.

In March 2020, then-NSA Deputy Director George Barnes reportedly blocked the release of the full assessment. According to the memo, Barnes feared that publishing the report during a period of intense political scrutiny—with the administration expressing suspicion toward the intelligence community—would damage the agency’s credibility and morale. He expressed concern that the NSA would be accused of releasing information for political purposes, whereas other agencies like the CIA and FBI had already been associated with ‘deep state’ allegations.

Internal analysts contested this decision, arguing that withholding or condensing the material could lead to accusations of selective reporting. The documents highlight the tension within the intelligence community between maintaining nonpartisan objectivity and navigating a highly charged political environment.