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EO 13470Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Executive Order 13470

Further Amendments to Executive Order 12333, United States Intelligence Activities

This executive order substantially revises Executive Order 12333 to strengthen the authority of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) over the Intelligence Community, reflecting reforms from the 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act. It codifies the DNI's role in coordinating intelligence activities, establishes new management structures including Functional and Mission Managers, and sets detailed duties for intelligence agencies while emphasizing protection of civil liberties and information sharing.

Federal Register Open PDF 73 FR 45325

Impact dates

  1. Common security and access standards for intelligence systems established

  2. DNI guidelines for information access, use, and sharing approved by Attorney General

  3. Interoperable information sharing enterprise standards established

  4. Procedures for criminal drug intelligence activities abroad approved by Attorney General

Key directives

  • DNI shall develop guidelines for information access and sharing, approved by Attorney General
  • DNI must establish common security and access standards for intelligence systems
  • DNI designated as head of Intelligence Community with authority over National Intelligence Program budget
  • Functional Managers established for signals intelligence (NSA Director), human intelligence (CIA Director), and geospatial intelligence (NGA Director)
  • DNI concurrence required for appointment of NSA, NRO, NGA, DHS intelligence, State INR, Energy, Treasury, and FBI National Security Branch directors
  • DNI and department heads must consult on removals of specified intelligence leaders
  • State, local, and tribal governments designated as critical partners in intelligence efforts
  • Attorney General approval required for policies on counterintelligence and clandestine collection inside the United States

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • DNI authority over Intelligence Community coordination takes effect
  • Functional Manager designations for NSA, CIA, and NGA become active
  • New information sharing and access requirements apply

Near term (90d)

  • Guidelines for information access and sharing to be developed by DNI and approved by Attorney General
  • Procedures for criminal drug intelligence activities abroad to be developed
  • Common security and access standards for intelligence systems to be established

Long term

  • Interoperable information sharing enterprise to be implemented
  • Intelligence Community restructuring through national intelligence centers and mission managers
  • Ongoing coordination of foreign intelligence relationships and covert action reviews

Risks & tensions

  • Ambiguous timeline: EO states DNI 'shall' perform duties but provides no specific deadlines for guideline development, creating implementation uncertainty
  • Tension between DNI coordination authority and statutory independence of department heads; section 1.3(c) creates escalation path to President but may produce bureaucratic friction
  • Civil liberties protections are stated as obligations but lack specific enforcement mechanisms beyond Attorney General approval of guidelines
  • Information sharing mandates may conflict with existing classification and compartmentalization practices
  • Concurrence requirements for appointments give DNI veto power over department heads, potentially causing vacancies or disputes requiring presidential intervention
Executive Order 13470: Further Amendments to Executive Order 12333, United States Intelligence Activities · Executive Orders