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Washington, USA – US allies are expressing concerns about the security of intelligence sharing with Washington due to the potential risks of confidential information leaks in the Donald Trump administration. Politico reports, citing anonymous European and American officials.
Concerns over a ‘leaky’ Trump administration
European allies of the United States, which regularly share classified information with Washington, are looking for ways to protect top-secret data from leaks. According to Politico, their fears have grown after the US Congress made controversial decisions on oversight of intelligence operations, as well as amid allegations of mishandling of confidential information in the Trump administration.
“You can’t just turn off the switch,”said a defence official from a Northern European country, emphasising the deep integration of the intelligence services of the United States and its allies.
Risks to intelligence sources and cautious partners
US allies are seriously concerned that leaks could endanger the lives of agents working in foreign countries. They have begun to take precautions, including limiting the disclosure of details that could reveal the identity or location of operatives.
A number of Five Eyes partners (the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) have already become more cautious during Trump’s first term. There is the case of Trump’s posting of a top-secret photo of an Iranian missile test site on social media, and his sharing of Israeli intelligence with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Changes in the Intelligence Community: Tulsi Gabbard to lead the National Intelligence Agency
Allied concerns were heightened by the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. Known for her controversial statements on Russian disinformation, Gabbard has repeatedly taken positions that contradict the official line of the US intelligence services. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on 12 February 2025.
Politico ‘s sources say that US allies consider Gabbard a less reliable partner compared to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who served during Trump’s first term and was considered more loyal to the intelligence community.
Data leaks and concerns among partners
The situation has been further complicated by reports of mishandling of classified information in the Trump administration. For example, the CIA accidentally sent an unclassified message with the names and initials of new analysts and operatives, many of whom work with China. This could have allowed foreign intelligence services to track American agents.
Such incidents have further undermined the confidence of the US partners in Washington’s ability to protect top secret information.
The official reaction of the US intelligence services
The CIA and the US National Intelligence Agency have rejected accusations of unreliable intelligence sharing. CIA spokeswoman Liz Lyons said that the agency “takes international partnerships seriously” and there is no reason to believe that allies are limiting information sharing.
Alexa Henning, Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Strategy and Communications, sharplycriticised the anonymous officials who expressed their concerns:
“These anonymous sources are far from reality. They are attempting to undermine US national security by promoting lies through their media allies,” Henning said.
Is the future of cooperation at risk?
Despite assurances from US intelligence agencies, US allies continue to consider options for protecting their intelligence. Experts believe that even a partial restriction on data sharing could undermine global analytical operations, especially given the growing threats from China, Russia and other authoritarian regimes.
