Former Trump National Security Advisor Says U.S. Counterintelligence Is Way Behind the Curve

During a closed‑door briefing on Capitol Hill, former Trump White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster didn’t mince words. He told the assembled senators and representatives that America’s counterintelligence machine is, quite frankly, "way behind" the threats it faces from Beijing and Moscow.

McMaster argued that the post‑9/11 era taught Washington to zero in on terrorist networks – a sensible priority at the time – but that laser focus turned into a blind spot. While agencies were busy tracking plots in the Middle East, Chinese and Russian operatives were quietly expanding espionage, cyber‑attack, and influence‑shaping campaigns right under U.S. noses.

“We’ve become extraordinarily negligent,” the retired general warned, adding a note of frustration that sounded almost personal. He pointed to a growing body of evidence – from indictments of Chinese hackers stealing trade secrets to Russian disinformation ops that have swayed elections – as proof that the U.S. is losing the intelligence race.

According to McMaster, the problem is less about budget cuts and more about mindset. He said agencies still measure success by the number of terrorist cells busted, not by how well they can detect a Chinese‑backed data exfiltration or a Russian‑sponsored media campaign.

He urged Congress to fund a comprehensive overhaul: more staffing for the FBI’s counter‑intelligence division, upgraded cyber‑forensics tools, and a tighter coordination framework between the CIA, NSA, and the Department of Defense. In his view, without a swift reset, the United States risks allowing adversaries to weaponize our own technology and capital.

Lawmakers listened, some nodding, others asking pointed questions about the feasibility of such a revamp. One senator remarked that “the warning is clear – we can’t afford to keep looking over our shoulders while the real threats are already inside the house.” The hearing is expected to shape upcoming legislation on intelligence funding and reform.