<h1>Defense Secretary removes DIA director and two senior Navy officers after intelligence assessment contradicts President, Congress demands justification</h1> The Defense Secretary removed the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency and two senior Navy officers without publicly stated reasons after a preliminary DIA assessment about damage from US strikes on foreign nuclear sites contradicted the President's statements; the administration also revoked additional security clearances and announced intelligence staffing and budget cuts. Congressional Democrats warned the actions risk politicizing intelligence, chilling dissent, and undermining statutory protections for intelligence independence, and demanded justification for the firings to assess whether they violate norms or applicable laws governing personnel actions, classification safeguards, or oversight obligations.