James Clapper facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids James Clapper


4th Director of National Intelligence
In office August 9, 2010 – January 20, 2017
President	Barack Obama
Deputy	Stephanie O'Sullivan
Preceded by	Dennis C. Blair
Succeeded by	Dan Coats
Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence
In office April 15, 2007 – June 5, 2010
President	George W. Bush Barack Obama
Preceded by	Stephen Cambone
Succeeded by	Michael Vickers
Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
In office September 2001 – June 2006
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	James C. King
Succeeded by	Robert B. Murrett
Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
In office November 1991 – August 1995
President	George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Dennis M. Nagy
Succeeded by	Kenneth Minihan

Personal details
Born	James Robert Clapper Jr. (1941-03-14) March 14, 1941 (age 84) Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
Spouse	Susan Terry
Children	2
Education	University of Maryland, College Park (BS) St. Mary's University, Texas (MA)
Military service
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years of service	1963–1995
Rank	Lieutenant General
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star (2) Air Medal (2)

James Robert Clapper Jr. (born March 14, 1941) is a retired lieutenant general from the United States Air Force. He also served as the Director of National Intelligence, a very important job in the U.S. government.

Clapper held many key roles in the United States Intelligence Community. This community gathers and analyzes information to protect the country. He was the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) from 1992 to 1995. He also led the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from 2001 to 2006.

In 2010, President Barack Obama chose Clapper to be the Director of National Intelligence. The Senate approved him for this role. He served until January 2017, when President Obama's term ended. After leaving government, he worked as a national security analyst for CNN.

Early Life and Education

James Robert Clapper Jr. was born on March 14, 1941, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His father was also in the U.S. Army and worked in signals intelligence during World War II.

Clapper finished high school in West Germany in 1959. His father was stationed there at the time. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Maryland in 1963. In 1970, he received a Master of Science degree in political science from St. Mary's University, Texas.

Military Career and Leadership Roles

Clapper first joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Then, he transferred to the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. In 1963, he became an Air Force second lieutenant.

He served two tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He led a signals intelligence team and flew many combat support missions. Later, he commanded a signals intelligence wing in Maryland. He also led the Air Force Technical Applications Center in Florida. During the Persian Gulf War, Clapper was the Chief of Air Force Intelligence.

In November 1991, Clapper became the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. He helped change how intelligence was analyzed. He retired from active duty in September 1995 as a lieutenant general. He had served for 32 years.

After his military career, Clapper worked in private companies for six years. In 2001, he became the director of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. This agency was later renamed the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Working with the Private Sector

From 2006 to 2007, Clapper worked for a satellite company called GeoEye. He also served on the boards of three government contractors. These companies worked with the NGA while he was its director. He defended the role of private companies in intelligence gathering. He said they make important contributions.

Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (2007–2010)

In 2007, President George W. Bush nominated Clapper to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. The United States Senate confirmed him for this role. He was the second person to hold this position.

In this job, he oversaw several important intelligence agencies. These included the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency (NSA), and the National Reconnaissance Office.

Director of National Intelligence (2010–2017)

Clapper and Barack Obama presented the NIDSM to James L. Jones, October 20, 2010

Becoming the Director of National Intelligence

Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggested Clapper to President Obama for the Director of National Intelligence role. Obama announced his nomination on June 5, 2010. He said Clapper was willing to "tell leaders what we need to know even if it's not what we want to hear."

Lawmakers approved his nomination on August 5, 2010. During his testimony, Clapper promised to improve the DNI's authority. He also pledged to oversee the CIA's use of drones.

New Leadership Role for Intelligence Integration

In August 2010, Clapper created a new position in the DNI's office. It was called the deputy director of national intelligence for intelligence integration. This role combined previous positions to better connect different intelligence efforts.

Managing the Intelligence Budget

Clapper's office took control over the budget for the National Intelligence Program. This program's budget was previously hidden within the Defense Department budget. In late 2010, Clapper's office revealed the budget was $53.1 billion. This change aimed to give the DNI more authority.

Clapper meets with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and DIA chief Ronald Burgess, September 29, 2011

Views on Iran and Saudi Arabia

In 2012, Clapper stated that some Iranian officials might be willing to attack the United States. He also said Iran was considering developing nuclear weapons. He warned that if Iran were attacked, it might close the Strait of Hormuz. This would affect ship traffic.

In December 2012, Clapper allowed the NSA to work more closely with Saudi Arabia. The goal was to help Saudi Arabia use SIGINT to find and track people of interest.

Improving Information Technology

Clapper made "intelligence integration" a main goal for the ODNI. In 2012, his office started a project to create a common computer system for all intelligence agencies. This would help them share information more easily.

Statements to Congress on NSA Activities

In March 2013, during a Senate hearing, Senator Ron Wyden asked Clapper if the NSA collected data on millions of Americans. Clapper replied, "No, sir." He added, "Not wittingly."

After this, documents leaked by Edward Snowden showed that the NSA did collect phone records from many Americans. This information included phone numbers, call times, and call durations. It did not include names or the content of calls. Clapper later said he responded in "the most truthful, or least untruthful manner." He also apologized to the Senate Intelligence Committee, saying his response was "clearly erroneous."

Clapper and NSA director Keith B. Alexander (left) were both accused of lying under oath to Congress.

Rules for Contact with Media

In March 2014, Clapper signed a rule. It prevented intelligence community employees from sharing "intelligence-related information" with reporters without permission. This rule aimed to stop leaks. He also put in place a policy that stopped former employees from using leaked news reports in their writings.

President Obama and Joe Biden meet Clapper, Rice, Brennan and other members of the National Security Council, September 10, 2014

Lawsuit Against Data Collection

In June 2013, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued Clapper and others. They challenged the government's collection of phone data. A court first said the collection was allowed. But in 2015, a higher court ruled that the collection was not authorized by the Patriot Act.

OPM Data Breach

In 2015, the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced a major data breach. This attack affected records of millions of people. Clapper commented on the attack, saying one had to "salute the Chinese for what they did."

Resignation

In November 2016, Clapper announced his resignation. It became effective at the end of President Obama's term in January 2017.

Life After Government Service

Teaching and Analysis Roles

In June 2017, Clapper began a four-week term at the Australian National University (ANU). He gave public lectures on global and national security. In August 2017, CNN hired Clapper as a national security analyst.

Views on President Trump

Clapper has shared his opinions on President Donald Trump. In March 2017, he said he was not aware of any investigation into Trump's campaign at the time he left office. In June 2017, Clapper criticized Trump's actions, calling the firing of FBI director James Comey "inexcusable." He also warned of an "internal assault on our institutions."

In December 2017, Clapper suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin was treating President Trump like an "asset." He further discussed this in his 2018 book, Facts and Fears: Hard Truths from a Life in Intelligence. In October 2018, Clapper was among several public figures who received a mailed pipe bomb. In February 2019, he agreed with a former FBI director that Trump could be a "Russian asset."

Views on Russia

In May 2017, Clapper stated that Russia is the main opponent of the United States. He explained that he believes Russians are "almost genetically driven" to oppose the U.S. and Western democracies. He also said, "The Russians are not our friends."

Clapper is part of the Advisory Board of the Committee to Investigate Russia. This group aims to help Americans understand Russia's actions against democracy.

In the Media

Clapper at the LBJ Presidential Library in 2016

In 2003, Clapper suggested that weapons of mass destruction were moved out of Iraq before the American invasion. However, his own agency could not find evidence to support this idea.

In 2010, Clapper was interviewed by ABC News. He said he was unaware of 12 alleged terrorists arrested in Great Britain that day. The Obama administration later corrected his statement.

In March 2011, Clapper commented on the 2011 Libyan civil war. He said that Libyan leader Gaddafi "will prevail." The White House disagreed with his assessment.

In February 2016, Clapper listed Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Islamic State, and "homegrown extremists" as major threats to the United States.

In March 2017, Clapper stated that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not get a court order to tap Trump Tower. This was in response to claims by Donald Trump. Clapper also said he saw no evidence of secret cooperation between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Personal Life

In 1965, James Clapper married Susan Ellen Terry. She used to work for the National Security Agency. They have two children: a daughter named Jennifer and a son named Andrew. Jennifer is an elementary school principal, and Andrew is a teacher.

Clapper also has a brother, Mike, and a sister, Chris. In the 2024 United States presidential election, Clapper supported Kamala Harris.

Education and Training

1963 Bachelor of Science degree in political science, University of Maryland
1970 Master of Arts degree in political science, St. Mary's University, Texas
1973 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama
1975 Distinguished graduate, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia
1976 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama
1979 National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
1990 Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
1990 Harvard Defense Policy Seminar, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Clapper also has an honorary doctorate in strategic intelligence. He taught as a professor at the Joint Military Intelligence College.

Awards and Decorations

Military Awards

	Air Force Basic Officer Aircrew Badge
	Basic Space and Missile Badge
	Basic Missile Maintenance Badge
	Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

	Defense Distinguished Service Medal
	Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
	Defense Superior Service Medal
	Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster
	Defense Meritorious Service Medal
	Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Joint Service Commendation Medal
	Air Force Commendation Medal
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and two oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
	National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal
	Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award
	National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
	Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars
	Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
	Air Force Training Ribbon
	Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit, Cheon-su Medal
	French National Order of Merit (Commander)
	Officer of the Order of Australia (Honorary – Military Division) – October 5, 2012
	Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (Commander with Star)
	Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
	Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
	Vietnam Campaign Medal

Other Awards

William Oliver Baker Award (2006)
Rosemary Award from the National Security Archive (2013)

Dates of Promotion

Insignia	Rank	Date
	Lieutenant General	November 15, 1991
	Major General	September 1, 1988
	Brigadier General	October 1, 1985
	Colonel	February 11, 1980
	Lieutenant Colonel	April 1, 1976
	Major	November 1, 1973
	Captain	March 16, 1967
	First Lieutenant	January 8, 1965
	Second Lieutenant	June 8, 1963

Military Assignments

May 1963 – March 1964: Student, Signal Intelligence Officers Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas
March 1964 – December 1965: Analytic branch chief, Air Force Special Communications Center, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas
December 1965 – December 1966: Watch officer and air defense analyst, 2nd Air Division, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam
December 1966 – June 1970: Aide to the commander and command briefer, Air Force Security Service, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas
June 1970 – June 1971: Commander, Detachment 3, 6994th Security Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand
June 1971 – August 1973: Military assistant to the director of the National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
August 1973 – August 1974: Aide to the commander and intelligence staff officer, Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
August 1974 – September 1975: Distinguished graduate, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia
September 1975 – June 1976: Chief, signal intelligence branch, Headquarters U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii
June 1976 – August 1978: Chief, signal intelligence branch, J-23, Headquarters U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii
August 1978 – June 1979: Student, National War College, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
June 1979 – January 1980: Washington area representative for electronic security command, deputy commander of Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
February 1980 – April 1981: Commander, 6940th Electronic Security Wing, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
April 1981 – June 1984: Director for intelligence plans and systems, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
June 1984 – May 1985: Commander, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida
June 1985 – June 1987: Assistant chief of staff for intelligence, U.S. Forces Korea, and deputy assistant chief of staff for intelligence, Republic of Korea and U.S. Combined Forces Command
July 1987 – July 1989: Director for intelligence, Headquarters U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii
July 1989 – March 1990: Deputy chief of staff for intelligence, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
April 1990 – November 1991: Assistant chief of staff for intelligence, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
November 1991 – 1995: Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and General Defense Intelligence Program, Washington, D.C.

Images for kids

Captain James Clapper during his flying mission on a Douglas EC-47 Skytrain during the Vietnam War, June 1971.
Clapper as a USAF lieutenant general in the mid-1990s
Lieutenant General James Clapper during his tenure as Director of Defense Intelligence Agency with Director of Central Intelligence Agency Robert Gates at Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters in Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, DC, January 17, 1992.
Clapper and Senator John McCain listen as Defense Secretary Gates addresses the audience, June 4, 2011