America’s key intelligence partners in the Five Eyes alliance—Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand—are increasingly fearful of the potential impact of former President Donald Trump’s return to power, particularly regarding his proposed overhaul of the U.S. intelligence apparatus. These concerns stem from the belief that Trump’s planned reforms could destabilize the carefully constructed global intelligence network, which relies heavily on U.S. resources and leadership, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Free Riders Concern
One of the core issues troubling Five Eyes countries is Trump’s criticism of the alliance. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump may view Five Eyes as an inefficient system that leeches U.S. resources without contributing in equal measure. The United States spends nearly $100 billion annually on intelligence—roughly 10 times the combined total of the other four nations. This financial imbalance has raised concerns among America’s allies that Trump could push for a more isolationist approach that reduces U.S. support for the alliance, shifting the burden onto countries with fewer resources.
The Shadow of the Russia Collusion Hoax
The alliance’s unease is further compounded by lingering questions about its involvement in the Trump-Russia collusion investigation. The intelligence community, especially U.S. agencies, played a central role in advancing the narrative of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Key events in the investigation, such as the FBI’s “Crossfire Hurricane” probe, were set into motion after a tip from Australia in 2016. There have also been suggestions that Britain’s GCHQ intelligence agency may have been involved in wiretapping Trump’s campaign, a claim made by the White House in 2017.
Although Trump has not directly targeted the Five Eyes nations in recent years, the lingering anxiety among these countries suggests that they may have concerns about their own involvement in the contentious saga—and potentially what Trump’s return could mean for their roles within the alliance.
The Trigger: Trump’s Intelligence Picks
The growing alarm within the Five Eyes alliance reached a fever pitch as Trump’s intelligence appointments moved closer to confirmation in Congress. Trump’s selections, including Kash Patel for FBI director and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, have raised particular concern among U.S. allies.
Gabbard, in particular, has positioned herself as a fierce critic of the weaponization of intelligence, citing the Iraq War and the Russia collusion narrative as prime examples of its misuse. Patel, slated to lead the FBI, has pledged to focus on curbing the agency’s overseas operations while pushing for increased transparency.
