Hayden: 'I Can't Imagine a Government Anywhere on the Planet Who Now Believes We Can Keep a Secret'

June 30th, 2013 5:41 PM

Former head of both the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency General Michael Hayden made a stunning remark Sunday.

In a CBS Face the Nation discussion about the recent leaks by Edward Snowden, Hayden said, "I can't imagine a government anywhere on the planet who now believes we can keep a secret."

BOB SCHIEFFER, HOST: You-- you think there has been significant damage done by Edward Snowden?

GENERAL MICHAEL HAYDEN (Former NSA Director/Former CIA Director): Yes, I do.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Just because it's been exposed and we're getting this kind of publicity from Germany now or because of operational things that have been disclosed?

GENERAL MICHAEL HAYDEN: Three-- three-- three things. Number one: Operational things have been disclosed. I mean you're a newsman, you know about protecting sources and methods and here now our sources and methods have been made public, so that's one. Second: Look, we cooperate with a lot of governments around the world. They expect us to be discreet about that cooperation. I can't imagine a government anywhere on the planet who now believes we can keep a secret.