Questi for Jan. 23
Q: If I am reading the news correctly, the United States appears to have 17 federal intelligence agencies. Is there one agency, or individual, who has oversight of all those agencies? If so, is that person the director of intelligence?
—David A. Manecke, Mableton
A: The Office of the Director of National Intelligence oversees the United States Intelligence Community.
James Clapper, the director of national intelligence since 2010, recently resigned.
Former Republican Sen. Dan Coats of Indiana has been selected to the director’s post in the new administration.
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Coats would then lead the Intelligence Community, which includes 16 other federal organizations. They are:
- Air Force Intelligence
- Army Intelligence
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- Coast Guard Intelligence
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
- Department of Energy (Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Department of State (Bureau of Intelligence and Research)
- Department of the Treasury (Office of Intelligence and Analysis)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Marine Corps Intelligence
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
- National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
- National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS)
- Navy Intelligence
Q: Why was Sasha Obama not present at the President Barack Obama’s farewell address?
—Myra Thrash, Jonesboro
A: Sasha Obama, 15, remained in Washington because she had an exam the next day, according to media reports.
President Obama gave his farewell address in Chicago on Jan. 10. Older daughter Malia Obama attended the speech.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
