Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Michael Atkinson is testifying today behind close doors with the House Intelligence Committee.
Here’s what you need to know about the little-known Trump appointee thrust into the spotlight:
His background: Atkinson worked for the Justice Department for 15 years before President Trump appointed him to the position of inspector general of the intelligence community in 2018. The position was only created in 2010, and Atkinson is the second individual to hold it.
He has a reputation as a straight-shooter: When Atkinson alerted lawmakers to an explosive whistleblower complaint detailing allegations about President Trump’s conduct, many said his reputation and credibility caused them to take his concerns seriously — even some who are skeptical of the complaint. Atkinson is known as a serious professional and a career non-partisan whose integrity has lent credibility to the complaint.
Why is he testifying? At the end of August, two weeks after Atkinson received the whistleblower’s complaint about Trump’s July phone call, he notified his superior, acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire. Atkinson believed it to be a credible complaint and found it worthy to be handled by the intelligence community and referred to Congress under the law.
But instead of routing to Congress, the whistleblower’s allegation wound its way across the Justice Department. From there, the Office of Legal Counsel eventually determined that the whistleblower’s complaint shouldn’t be considered of “urgent concern” and require disclosure to Congress.
