Context:

A newly declassified memo reveals that U.S. intelligence agencies do not support the Trump administration's claim that Venezuela's government controls the Tren de Aragua gang. This undercuts the rationale for using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador. The memo, released after a Freedom of Information Act request, shows the intelligence community's consensus that the Maduro regime is not directing the gang's activities in the U.S. Despite this, the administration maintains its stance, citing national safety concerns. The FBI partially dissents, suggesting some Venezuelan officials might enable the gang's activities, though their claims lack credible evidence according to other agencies.

Dive Deeper:

• The declassified memo contradicts Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act by showing that U.S. intelligence does not believe Venezuela controls the Tren de Aragua gang, undermining the justification for deporting Venezuelans without due process.

• The memo, released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, indicates a lack of centralized command within the gang and adversarial relations between the gang and the Venezuelan government, despite some corrupt officials' links to gang members.

• Following publication of related articles by The Times and The Washington Post, the Trump administration criticized the media for allegedly manipulating intelligence assessments and opened a criminal investigation into the leaks.

• The FBI partially dissents from the consensus, positing that some Venezuelan officials may facilitate gang members' activities as proxies in various countries, although this view is not supported by most of the intelligence community.

• While some detainees claimed ties to the Venezuelan regime, the intelligence community is skeptical of their credibility, suggesting these claims might be attempts to mitigate legal consequences.

• Chilean officials suspected a politically motivated murder linked to the gang, but the memo lacks evidence of systematic communication or funding from the Venezuelan government to the gang.

• The memo's release has prompted further debate on press freedoms, with the Attorney General considering rolling back protections due to concerns over leaks of classified information.