Statement of FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III on the Retirement of CIA Director George Tenet

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III issued the following statement today:

“I have worked closely with George Tenet during my tenure as FBI Director. We have jointly briefed the president every weekday morning and participated in countless other meetings, and I have consistently been impressed by his patriotism, his leadership, and his commitment to protecting the American people. I know he has earned the respect of leaders around the world. He has certainly earned mine.

“George has transformed the CIA—working to build its human intelligence capabilities, improving the caliber of its analysis and intelligence products, and providing a model for the use of information technology in the intelligence community. I have seen the results of his efforts every day in the intelligence we receive and in the unprecedented cooperation between our agencies.

“George has sought at every turn to bridge the gap between the CIA and FBI with one goal in mind—the security of the American public. Due to his constant efforts to bring the intelligence agencies closer together, we are better able to predict the actions of our adversaries and to protect Americans from evolving transnational threats.

“His resignation is a great loss to the CIA, to the American people, and to me personally. I wish him all the best.”