Who leads the Intelligence Community?

The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) leads the Intelligence Community (IC) and serves as the principal advisor to the President and the National Security Council on intelligence matters. This role was established to provide a more organized oversight and integration of the diverse elements that make up the IC, ensuring that the various intelligence agencies work collaboratively towards common goals. The DNI oversees and manages the activities of the other intelligence agencies, promoting information sharing and coordination.

The position of DNI was created in response to the need for improved coordination after intelligence failures, highlighting the importance of a centralized leadership role to enhance operational effectiveness, policy response, and strategic objective alignment across the IC. This leadership also includes advocating for resource allocation and ensuring that intelligence priorities align with national security needs.

While the President, as the Commander-in-Chief, has ultimate authority over national security policies, and the CIA Director plays a crucial role in managing one of the key intelligence agencies, it is the DNI who holds the overarching position to unify and lead the entire Intelligence Community. The Secretary of Defense is also vital in military intelligence matters but does not hold the same overarching responsibility for the entire intelligence structure.