Trump Might Hire Jewish Investor To Review Spy Agencies
Donald Trump speaking at a rally during his presidential campaign. Image by Getty Images
By Josh Nathan-Kazis February 16, 2017
The New York Times reported Wednesday evening that President Donald Trump is planning to hire private equity billionaire Steve Feinberg to run a “broad review of American intelligence agencies.”
Feinberg, who has no intelligence experience, is a founder of Cerberus Capital Management, a $40 billion firm with a wide range of assets, including the military contractor DynCorp. Feinberg raised money for Trump’s campaign, and is currently a member of Trump’s executive advisory council.
Known as reclusive and media-shy, Feinberg gives few interviews. He spent the early part of his Wall Street career at the investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert. He is reportedly close friends with the investor J. Ezra Merkin.
The expected appointment comes amid growing tensions between Trump and the intelligence community, as Trump continues to criticize intelligence staffers over leaks.
Contact Josh Nathan-Kazis at nathankazis@forward.com
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