Homeland Security’s Bloated ‘Intelligence’ Office Is Costing Taxpayers $348 Million Every Year

Originally published by the Federalist

This opinion article was co-authored by Tom Plofchan

In the aftermath of 9/11, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was a bold attempt to unify fragmented defenses against terrorism. One of its most forward-thinking — and controversial –– projects was the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), designed as DHS’s bridge to the broader Intelligence Community (IC). The goal was to ensure intelligence flows seamlessly between the Intelligence Community and federal, state, and local law enforcement as well as critical industry partners, to prevent another attack enabled by dots left unconnected.

Unfortunately, over two decades later, I&A stands as the single largest misstep in the formation of DHS, a well-intentioned but bloated bureaucracy that drains resources without delivering proportional value.

Today, I&A functions more as an unnecessary cost center, complicating DHS’s role in intelligence rather than enhancing it. While it boasts talented professionals who make real contributions to national security, its dual role — straddling the IC and supporting DHS law enforcement — creates a perilous risk of politicizing intelligence.

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