Pompeo: CIA 'Back in the Business of Stealing Secrets'

The Central Intelligence Agency is returning to its former mode of operation, Director Mike Pompeo declared Tuesday.

"We are back in the business of stealing secrets," Pompeo told reporters, Politico reported.

Pompeo's comment could have been in reference to a 2016 remark from then-CIA Director John Brennan, who said the U.S. does not steal secrets.

Brennan drew criticism for that remark.

John Maguire, a retired CIA officer, said Brennan's comments "make the U.S. look dumb," he told NBC News then.

President Donald Trump has called for stronger measures in intelligence gathering, the CIA director said.

"The president has put in place a set of requirements that will require the CIA to be more aggressive," Pompeo told the reporters.

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