WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, voted to confirm Peter Thomson to be Inspector General of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); the nomination was approved by the Committee via voice vote. Last week, at Thomson’s confirmation hearing, Senator King highlighted the urgent need for the holder of the position to be strongly independent from any interference from the Administration.

“Today I voted to confirm Peter Thomson to be CIA Inspector General because I believe, after five years without a confirmed IG, this office is badly in need of leadership and stability,” said Senator King. “I was also encouraged by his acknowledgment to me – both verbally and in writing – that the budget of the CIA IG has been flat for many years and has not kept pace with CIA’s mission.  During our conversations, he committed to rectifying this situation and I intend to work with him to ensure the office has all of the tools and resources it needs to promote accountability in the management of CIA activities, including by performing independent audits, inspections, investigations, and reviews of CIA programs and operations.

“Despite his commitments during the hearing, I remain concerned that Mr. Thomson may not be well positioned to ensure the office remains independent and resists pressure from the Administration. If confirmed, Mr. Thomson’s challenge will be, in the words of former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats, ‘To seek the truth, and when we find that truth, to speak the truth’. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I intend to be a strong partner to the CIA IG in living up to those core principles.”