Washington: Tulsi Gabbard, director of US National Intelligence, announced the termination of more than 100 intelligence officers over their involvement in sexually explicit conversations on the National Security Agency's (NSA) 'Interlink' messaging platform. Calling the act an "egregious violation of trust", Gabbard also said that the security clearances of the officers would be immediately revoked.
In an interview with Fox News this week, she said, "There are over 100 people from across the intelligence community that contributed to and participated in what is really just an egregious violation of trust. What to speak of, like basic rules and standards around professionalism."
“I put out a directive today that they will all be terminated, and their security clearances will be revoked," she added. In a statement after Gabbard's announcement, the NSA said it was "aware of posts that appear to show inappropriate discussions” by intelligence personnel and confirmed that a probe was currently underway.
