For about thirty years, government intelligence departments have spent resources equally between domestic and foreign activities. For about the same amount of time, intelligence departments have conducted covert operations in addition to intelligence gathering. This conduct has raised public concern that intelligence departments wield too much authority. In the end, though, domestic spending and covert operations may be simply a consequence of ineptness.<br/><br/>Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?
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AIntelligence departments have conducted fewer covert operations over the last fifteen years than they did over the fifteen years prior to that
BIntelligence departments must be powerful in order to address international threats
CThe public has been concerned that intelligence departments are too powerful for more than thirty years
DIntelligence departments have been less powerful over the last thirty years than they were previously
EIntelligence departments were inept before they began covert operations or spending on domestic intelligence
✓ Correct answer: D. Intelligence departments have been less powerful over the last thirty years than they were previouslyNo answer choice provides substantial support for the author. The correct answer here, however, provides some support for the author's skepticism about whether the conduct of departments indicates that they wield too much power. If departments were more powerful before they began covert operations and domestic spending, then it is somewhat less likely that this conduct indicates too much power.
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