The Department of Homeland Security has reassigned its top intelligence official, according to media outlets, following news that his office compiled intelligence reports on journalists and protesters in Portland, Ore.
Brian Murphy, who had been the acting undersecretary for the department's Office of Intelligence and Analysis, was removed from that position, according to
The Washington Post, which was first to report the news.
[...]
Murphy has reportedly been moved to an administrative support role within the department's management directorate.
NPR
And what does that do?
The call for Murphy's removal was made on Friday by the acting secretary of homeland security, Chad Wolf, who, following the Post's revelations, instructed the office to stop collecting information on the press and ordered an investigation into its proceedings.
Why am I skeptical of Wolf's actions and intentions?
Another intelligence report, according to the newspaper, showed that the DHS had tracked and documented exchanges among protesters found on the Telegram messaging app.
Murphy had previously denied that his office had access to protesters' devices and messages, according to the Post.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff issued a statement Saturday saying the committee had been conducting an investigation into Murphy and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis for more than two weeks before the reassignment.
"In light of recent public reports, we are concerned that Murphy may have provided incomplete and potentially misleading information to Committee staff during our recent oversight engagement, and that the Department of Homeland Security and I&A are now delaying or withholding underlying intelligence products, legal memoranda, and other records requested by the Committee that could shed light on these actions," Schiff said.
He added that his committee would be "expanding" its oversight in the coming days.
