Palm Coast Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-6) engaged in a rigorous exchange with Biden Administration National Security and Intelligence Officials during a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on Tuesday. The discussions covered various critical topics, including President Biden’s classified documents, the threat of al-Qaeda, energy policies benefiting Russia, Hamas, and concerns about domestic terrorism facilitation at universities.

During the hearing, Congressman Waltz questioned Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence, about the classified documents linked to President Biden. Haines confirmed, "I have seen, I think, all of the documents that were part of the special counsel," highlighting the extensive review process conducted within the intelligence community.

Addressing the threat of al-Qaeda, Waltz raised concerns about the UN Security Council's assessment of the organization's activities in Afghanistan. Haines mentioned, "We think they continue to have the intent but not the capacity," indicating a nuanced perspective on the group's current capabilities.

Switching gears to Russia, Waltz emphasized the impact of energy policies on fueling Russia's military operations, with a witness acknowledging the validity of his statements. The discussion underscored the indirect support provided to Russia through energy exports, influencing global oil prices and funding Moscow's military endeavors.

Furthermore, the hearing delved into the credibility of casualty figures reported by Hamas, with Waltz questioning the accuracy of the data. Haines clarified, “We do not take it on face value," highlighting the intelligence community's cautious approach towards such information.

In a final exchange, Congressman Waltz addressed Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI, regarding concerns about domestic terrorism teachings at universities. Waltz expressed his disapproval of materials promoting violent activities and requested Wray's commitment to investigate such instances, to which Wray firmly agreed, stating, “Totally unacceptable.”

The hearing provided a platform for critical inquiries into national security assessments, shedding light on pressing issues that demand further scrutiny and evaluation.