CIA Watchdog Resigns

The man who kept tabs on the CIA for four years has resigned, Reuters reports. Though the departure of CIA Inspector General David Buckley is being called "amicable and planned," the National Journal adds, journalists are still connecting the dots between the announcement and Buckley's report this summer that the CIA snooped on Senate Intelligence Committee staffers' computers as they investigated Bush-era CIA interrogation methods. In the wake of the Senate's torture report, intel committee Chair Dianne Feinstein made recommendations that make the CIA inspector general more powerful and aim to "prevent the future use of torture," Reuters adds. Buckley's deputy, Christopher Sharpley, will take over for now; Buckley is done Jan. 31.

The White House calls Buckley a "tremendous partner," and CIA Director John Brennan notes that the IG "demonstrated independence, integrity, and sound judgment." Government-oversight advocates are calling his resignation a shame. Buckley "raised some serious concerns about the conduct of the CIA ... The lack of repercussions is very troubling and his departure so soon afterwards is troublesome," says one official. The CIA insists Buckley has resigned to pursue a private sector job and that "there are no reasons for his leaving other than that," adds the Wall Street Journal. (More CIA stories.)