# U.S. intelligence politicization concerns > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-intelligence-politicization-concerns > Updated: 2026-08-11T03:38:27.000Z. Sources: 57. Developments: 2. Former U.S. intelligence and national security officials have raised alarms regarding the politicization of intelligence agencies under the Trump administration. Initial reports highlighted concerns from former CIA analyst Julia Curlee, who alleged that the administration used intelligence gathering as a political tool by firing senior officers, revoking security clearances, and declassifying reports to support specific election-interference claims. This included pressure on the National Intelligence Council regarding assessments of threats in Venezuela. More than 400 former officials, organized as ‘The Steady State’, subsequently issued a formal warning to Congress. The group cautioned that the administration is following patterns used by autocrats to concentrate power and weaken democratic checks and balances. Specific concerns include the potential use of presidential authority against political critics and the reduction of personnel at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Recent reports reiterate these warnings from ‘The Steady State’, noting their continued alarm regarding the concentration of power and the potential weakening of democratic institutions. ## Claims - The United States and Iran have agreed in principle to extend the 60-day ceasefire scheduled to expire on August 17. (disputed by 13 sources) - Iran has denied reports of negotiations to extend the ceasefire, stating that no such talks are occurring. (disputed by 6 sources) - The Steady State network consists of more than 400 former intelligence and national security officials. (corroborated by 12 sources) - National security attorney Mark Zaid is engaged in a legal battle with Trump following the revocation of his security clearance. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The group expressed concern about the use of presidential powers against critics. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Donald Trump stated he would like to run for a third term in 2028 but noted that the law is very strict regarding term limits. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Negotiations regarding the specific duration of the ceasefire extension are ongoing. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Former officials expressed concern regarding the use of intelligence to support administration political positions. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Donald Trump reported receiving numerous threats and confirmed he used an alternative military aircraft to leave Turkey following an Iranian threat. (corroborated by 9 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-11: US and Iran reportedly agree to extend ceasefire under Pakistan mediation Pakistan reports that the US and Iran have agreed in principle to extend their 60-day ceasefire beyond August 17, though Iranian officials have denied that any such negotiations are occurring. 57 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/former-intelligence-officials-warn-of-trump-concentrating-power ### 2026-07-27: Donald Trump politicizes U.S. intelligence, former officials protest Former intelligence officials say Donald Trump politicized U.S. intelligence on Venezuela and China, urging probes into a suspect CIA memo and criticizing the administration’s misuse of reports. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-politicizes-us-intelligence-former-officials-protest --- Cite as: U.S. intelligence politicization concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-intelligence-politicization-concerns