CIA said Thursday the selection of Haspel, who has been with the agency since 1985, makes her the first female career CIA officer to be appointed deputy director.
“Gina is an exemplary intelligence officer and a devoted patriot who brings more than 30 years of agency experience to the job,” said CIA Director Mike Pompeo.
Haspel held various roles within CIA, including as deputy director of NCS for foreign intelligence and covert action and as the NCS director’s chief of staff, and she also served overseas as an undercover agent.
James Clapper, former director of national intelligence; Michael Hayden, former CIA director; Fran Moore, former CIA director for intelligence; and Stephen Kappes, former CIA deputy director are among the intelligence community leaders who have worked directly with Haspel and applauded her appointment.