After congressionally based investigations revealed widespread abuse of power — assassinations, domestic surveillance in violation of its charter — on the part of the Central Intelligence Agency, President Jimmy Carter made reforming the agency a priority. Carter gave Adm. Stansfield Turner, commander of the Second Fleet in the Atlantic, the job of bringing the CIA under control. Turner certainly shook things up. He eliminated 212 jobs in the Directorate of Operations, dismissed 820 operatives, reinforced congressional mandates limiting the activities of agents, and reorganized the secret budgets not only of the CIA, but of eight other intelligence-gathering agencies, as well. The changes had the intended effect of streamlining the CIA, but they also generated resentment and criticism — especially of Turner, noted for his brusque and uncompromising demeanor. Turner's response was characteristically blunt: "I intend to keep on with this program."

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