When I resigned, I put the U.S. Government on notice that I'm going to stick to policy issues, that I have no intention of going out and blowing the cover off of the intelligence operations, that those are truly sensitive and they should not be exposed.

In this quote, Scott Ritter, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer and UN weapons inspector, clarifies his stance on the sensitive nature of intelligence operations and the importance of maintaining confidentiality in matters of national security. When he resigned, Ritter made it clear that while he intended to focus on policy issues, he had no desire to expose or undermine the intelligence work being conducted by the U.S. government. His statement emphasizes his commitment to protecting the secrecy and integrity of intelligence operations, which he believes are essential to national security.

Ritter’s words reflect a distinction between advocating for policy change and revealing sensitive information that could jeopardize national security. By choosing not to "blow the cover off" these operations, he asserts that there is a responsibility to preserve certain aspects of governance, particularly those that involve security and intelligence matters. His quote suggests that while transparency and accountability are critical in government, some areas, like intelligence gathering, require a level of discretion and restraint to avoid compromising safety.

The origin of this quote is tied to Ritter’s resignation from his position as a weapons inspector for the United Nations. Ritter became a vocal critic of the U.S. government’s stance on Iraq and the justification for the Iraq War, particularly the weapons of mass destruction claims. His decision to step down was driven by disagreements over policy but also by his respect for the sensitivity of the information he had access to. Despite his critiques, Ritter chose to prioritize the protection of intelligence operations rather than disclose classified details.

Ultimately, Ritter’s quote emphasizes the complex balance between public service and the ethical obligations to safeguard sensitive national security matters. It highlights the tension between holding government accountable and respecting the confidentiality of critical operations, especially those related to intelligence. By making this distinction, Ritter underscores the importance of integrity and responsibility when dealing with matters that have far-reaching implications for national and global security.