Former National Director of Intelligence James ClapperJames Robert ClapperSchiff: Barr ‘weaponizing’ DOJ ‘to go after the president’s enemies’ Top Trump administration officials hail al-Baghdadi raid but stress need for resolve in fighting ISIS Former House Intel Committee Chair: ‘No way we could have’ killed ISIS leader without the Kurds MORE warned Sunday that the U.S. can’t “stop worrying about ISIS” after the death of the group’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s death.
Clapper, who served under former President Obama, said the death of al-Baghdadi had “a huge symbolic meaning” but cautioned that the ISIS ideology extended beyond Baghdadi and said his death will not end the terrorist group.
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“ISIS is more than just Baghdadi, as important as he was,” Clapper told Jake TapperJacob (Jake) Paul TapperTop Trump administration officials hail al-Baghdadi raid but stress need for resolve in fighting ISIS Former House Intel Committee Chair: ‘No way we could have’ killed ISIS leader without the Kurds Thornberry: Al-Baghdadi’s death ‘does not mean ISIS is defeated’ MORE on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
The former national director of intelligence emphasized that ISIS “did anticipate losing leadership” as they “groomed” other people to potentially take on those roles.
“I don’t know that they have anybody that would have the symbolic importance of Baghdadi, but I don’t think we can say at this point we can stop worrying about ISIS,” he said.
He agreed that U.S. troops should remain in the area to ensure ISIS is not galvanized by the death.
“What’s going to be interesting is the extent of which this negatively affects ISIS, or does it galvanize the remnants of ISIS that still survives as an ideology and has franchises in other places besides Syria,” Clapper said.
President TrumpDonald John Trump’Veterans for impeachment’ signs seen at World Series game during Trump visit Trump met with boos, ‘lock him up’ chant at Game 5 of World Series Kayla Mueller’s mother: Daughter might still be alive ‘If Obama had been as decisive’ as Trump MORE confirmed al-Baghdadi’s death shortly after Clapper’s comments Sunday morning in a press conference, saying, “the United States brought the world’s number one terrorist leader to justice.” Reports circulated Saturday night of the ISIS leader’s death, saying Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest during a raid by the Special Operations forces.
Al-Baghdadi’s death comes after Trump announced the removal of troops from Syria, sparking bipartisan fears about a potential resurgence of ISIS in the region.
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