Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on President Obama’s Speech Friday, January 17, 2014
January 17, 2014

I fully support the reforms to signals intelligence programs that President Obama outlined today – not only as Secretary of Defense, but as former co-chair of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board and a former member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. These programs must always balance the need to defend our national security with the responsibility to preserve America’s individual liberties, and the President’s decisions and recommendations will do that. They will help restore the confidence of the American people and our allies and partners. They will preserve important capabilities that keep us safe. And they will help the men and women of America’s military continue to accomplish their missions all over the world.