The Process of Getting a Tweet Cleared for the CIA’s Twitter Account

The CIA recently launched its official Twitter account, and as you can see from this leaked email thread, they have a strict protocol for clearing each individual tweet.

From: SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov
To: AgentJones@cia.gov, AgentMichaels@cia.gov
Subject: permission to tweet?

Sirs,

I was thinking we should probably tweet again soon from the @CIA account. Really wanna keep the account active and engage with our followers. What do you think about something simple like ‘#FF @BarackObama”?

-Tucker

CIA Social Media Intern

Sent from my iPhone

____

From: AgentJones@cia.gov
To: SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov, AgentMichaels@cia.gov
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

Tucker,

We’re going to need to run this up the flagpole first. We have a very strict protocol for vetting tweets.

____

From: AgentJones@cia.gov
To: SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov, AgentMichaels@cia.gov, AgentStevens@cia.gov
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

Also, Tucker, please don’t email official CIA business from your iPhone. We spy on those.

Looping in Agent Stevens.

____

From: AgentMichaels@cia.gov
To: AgentJones@cia.gov, AgentStevens@cia.gov, SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

Stevens, Tucker is seeking clearance to tweet ‘#FF @BarackObama” from the CIA account. What are the potential long-term national security ramifications for such a tweet?

____

From: AgentStevens@cia.gov
To: AgentMichaels@cia.gov, AgentJones@cia.gov, SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

It’s a complicated issue. On the one hand, a strong, united social media front between the President and the CIA helps assert our dominance as a nation. On the other hand, it might seem lame to shout out a friend who already has a ton of followers.

Looping in Agent Davis, he’s heavily involved in our twitter strategy and might be able to advise.

____

From: DavisCIA69@compuserve.net
To: AgentJones@cia.gov, SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov, AgentMichaels@cia.gov

Hey guys, thanks for the heads up but I don’t have the security clearance to authorize a #FF. I only handle @replies and favs.

Might have to go all the way to the Director with this one.

____

From: AgentJones@cia.gov
To: DavisCIA69@compuserve.net, SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov, AgentMichaels@cia.gov, DirectorJohnBrennan@cia.gov
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

thanks, Davis. Looping in Mr. Brennan now.

Also, Davis, you really need to start using your CIA email.

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From: DirectorJohnBrennan@cia.gov
To: AgentJones@cia.gov, DavisCIA69@compuserve.net, SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov, AgentMichaels@cia.gov
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

Thank you for your email. I am currently on vacation with limited access to the internet. If this is an emergency having to do with drone strikes and/or high-level twitter shout-outs, please contact my supervisor, The President of the United States, at BarackObama2@america.com.

-John O. Brennan
Director
Central Intelligence Agency

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy 4S

____

From: AgentJones@cia.gov
To: BarackObama2@america.com, SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov, AgentMichaels@cia.gov, DavisCIA69@compuserve.net
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

Hello Mr. President,

Our social media intern, Tucker, is requesting the launch codes necessary to ‘Follow Friday” your @BarackObama account. There has been some concern that this maneuver might come off weird, like we’re sucking up to you, which we want to avoid at all costs. That said, your tweets have been really solid lately and we’d love to show you some love. How should we proceed, sir?

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From: BarackObama2@america.com
To: AgentJones@cia.gov, SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov, AgentMichaels@cia.gov, DavisCIA69@compuserve.net
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

I appreciate your careful consideration in this delicate matter. Let’s proceed with the #FF, to be carried out earlier in the day Friday (when people are still at their computers). This may not be the popular decision politically, but I am confident that history will prove us justified.

-Barack Obama
President of the United States

Sent from my BlackBerry Curve

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From: AgentMichaels@cia.gov
To: SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov, AgentJones@cia.gov, DavisCIA69@compuserve.net
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

Tucker, you may proceed with the tweet.

____

From: SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov
To: AgentMichaels@cia.gov, AgentJones@cia.gov, DavisCIA69@compuserve.net
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

Sounds good, drafting tweet now.

Also, my improv group is doing a show tonight if anyone’s interested – plenty of tix still available!

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From: AgentMichaels@cia.gov
To: AgentJones@cia.gov, DavisCIA69@compuserve.net, SocialMediaIntern@cia.gov
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

I am definitely not going to that shit

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From: AgentJones@cia.gov
To: AgentMichaels@cia.gov
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

dude, you hit ‘reply all”!

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From: AgentMichaels@cia.gov
To: AgentJones@cia.gov
Subject: Re: permission to tweet?

fuuuuuuuck