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CIA Nominee Gina Haspel Faces A Senate Showdown

Haspel is the first woman nominated for the CIA's top job. Her covert career and links to waterboarding will likely make for an unusual Senate confirmation hearing with an uncertain outcome.
CIA director nominee Gina Haspel attends Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's ceremonial swearing-in at the State Department in Washington last week.

Gina Haspel's appearance before the Senate intelligence committee on Wednesday promises to be a very unusual confirmation hearing.

Most every nominee for a top government job has a long public record that is open for scrutiny. Not so with Haspel, who would be the first woman to lead the CIA.

She is a spy's spy. She spent 32 years undercover at the agency and was named deputy director last year.

Much of her life remains shrouded in mystery. There are just a few public photos. The NPR found is from a banquet last October, held by the , a group dedicated to the World War II agency that preceded the CIA. In brief remarks, Haspel honors the memory of a legendary spy, , who had recently died.

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