CIA denies director told to skip Senate briefing

WASHINGTON (AP) – The CIA is denying that Director Gina Haspel was instructed not to attend a classified briefing with senators dealing with Yemen and the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Lawmakers from both parties are expressing frustration over Haspel’s absence from the meeting. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis attended.

CIA press secretary Timothy Barrett says, “The notion that anyone told Director Haspel not to attend today’s briefing is false.”

He says the agency has briefed the Senate intelligence committee and congressional leadership on the “totality” of classified information on the matter and would continue to keep Congress updated.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has threatened to oppose key legislation until the Senate is briefed by the CIA.