On Monday, May 21, Gina Haspel was sworn in as the first woman to serve as CIA Director in our Agency’s 70-year history. President Trump, Vice President Pence, Secretary of State and former D/CIA Mike Pompeo, Chief Operating Officer Brian Bulatao, and hundreds of Agency officers attended the ceremony at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
“I am truly honored to have this opportunity to lead the best workforce in government,” Director Haspel said. “It has been nearly 50 years since an operations officer rose up through the ranks to become the Director, and after the experience of the past two months, I think I know why that is,” she joked.
Vice President Pence administered the oath of office. Director Haspel addressed the workforce, emphasizing our global mission, and noting the importance of increasing CIA’s foreign language proficiency, strengthening our partnerships, and deploying more officers to the foreign field. “For me, being Director is about doing right by all of you so that you have the tools and support needed to carry out our sacred mission,” she said.
She also addressed the historic significance of the moment, especially for the women of CIA, past and present. “I would be remiss if I did not also note the tremendous pride I take in being the first woman to serve as Director. I would not be standing before you today if not for the remarkable courage and dedication displayed by generations of OSS and Agency women. In roles both large and small, they challenged stereotypes, broke down barriers, and opened doors for the rest of us. I am deeply indebted to them, and I am extremely proud to follow in their footsteps and to carry on their extraordinary legacy.”
Director Haspel’s complete remarks can be viewed here or by clicking the video below.
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we’re here today for the swearing-in of
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a very special person
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your new CIA director someone who has
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served this agency with extraordinary
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skill and devotion for 30 years
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Gena Haspel Gena congratulations there
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is no one in this country better
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qualified for this extraordinary office
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than you by the way if you don’t agree
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with that police let me know now before
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it’s too late
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immediately have to do it quickly you
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live in the CIA you live the CIA you
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breathe the CIA and now you will lead
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the CIA congratulations
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most importantly she has earned the
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universal respect admiration and trust
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of her colleagues here at the CIA
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throughout the government and all over
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the world Gina is truly respected and
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today we also mark another proud
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milestone as Gina becomes the first
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woman ever to lead the CIA the duties of
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the office on which I’m about to enter
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[Music]
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[Applause]
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mr. president it means a great deal to
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me and to the agency that you made time
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to come out to Langley for this ceremony
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you have placed enormous trust and CIA
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throughout your presidency and the men
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and women of CIA do not take that for
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granted so thank you mr. president for
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your confidence in me and your steadfast
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support of our mission and our people I
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would be remiss if I did not also note
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the tremendous pride I take in being the
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first woman to serve as director I would
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not be standing before you today if not
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for the remarkable courage and
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dedication displayed by generations of
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OSS and agency women in roles both large
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and small who challenge stereotypes
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broke down barriers and open doors for
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the rest of us
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I am deeply indebted to them and I’m
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extremely proud to follow in their
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footsteps and to carry on their
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extraordinary legacy
