The President of the United States issues operational guidance to the executive branch on how to execute faithfully the law through "Executive Orders." Many key Executive Orders exist that apply to the intelligence professional, including:
Executive Order for Military Intelligence Activities
Executive Order for Interrogation Activities
Executive Order for Foreign Operations within the US
Executive Order for Handling Classified Information
Executive Orders on Counterintelligence
Executive Orders on Electronic Surveillance
Inherently secretive for the protection of national security, the members of the United States Intelligence Community have a responsibility to carry out their duties in a way that protects privacy and civil liberties. At the same time, they must allow the public enough transparency into intelligence operations to ensure that the Intelligence Community exercises authority properly, enhances the public understanding of intelligence activities, and protects information that might be harmful to national security. This principle of transparency is referred to as "intelligence oversight."
This Executive Order applies to all intelligence professionals within the United States Intelligence Community:
On Foreign Operations Within the US
Presidential Policy Directive and Policy Directives on Handling Classified Information