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US intelligence chief says he meant no disrespect to Trump over Putin comments US intelligence chief 'meant no disrespect' in Trump-Putin remarks
(about 4 hours later)
The top US intelligence official has said he meant no disrespect to Donald Trump in a televised interview discussing the recent summit with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. The most senior intelligence official in the US has said he meant no disrespect to Donald Trump in a televised interview discussing the recent summit with Vladimir Putin.
Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, said on Saturday his comments at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado last Thursday were not intended to be critical of the president’s decision to invite Putin to a meeting in Washington later this year. Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, said on Saturday his comments at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado were not intended to be critical of the president’s decision to invite the Russian leader to a meeting in Washington later this year.
“Some press coverage has mischaracterised my intentions in responding to breaking news presented to me during a live interview,” Coats said. “My admittedly awkward response was in no way meant to be disrespectful or criticise the actions of the president.”“Some press coverage has mischaracterised my intentions in responding to breaking news presented to me during a live interview,” Coats said. “My admittedly awkward response was in no way meant to be disrespectful or criticise the actions of the president.”
Coats has been under scrutiny since he said he wished Trump had not met one-on-one with the Russian leader and expressed dismay that the president had publicly undermined US intelligence agencies. Coats has been under scrutiny since he said he wished Trump had not met one-on-one with the Russian leader and expressed dismay that the president had publicly undermined US intelligence agencies. He issued a rare statement rebutting the president’s comments which cast doubt on the findings of the intelligence community on Russian election interference.
Coats issued a rare statement rebutting the president’s comments during a press conference last Monday with Putin doubting the findings of the intelligence community on Russian election interference. White House aides were fearful Coats might resign, and Trump spoke positively of him in a TV interview on Wednesday. But Coats’ display of surprise upon learning that Trump had invited Putin to Washington in the autumn for a followup meeting drew the president’s ire.
White House aides were fearful that the former lawmaker might resign over the president’s comments, and Trump spoke positively of Coats in a television interview on Wednesday. But Coats’ display of surprise upon learning that Trump had invited Putin to Washington in the autumn for a follow-up meeting drew the president’s ire. “Say that again,” Coats said, cupping his hand over his ear on live TV. He took a deep breath and continued: “OK. That’s going to be special.”
“Say that again,” Coats said, cupping his hand over his ear on live television. He took a deep breath and continued: “OK. That’s going to be special.” Coats revealed in the interview with NBC’s Andrea Mitchell that he was unaware of what transpired in the private meeting between Trump and Putin in Helsinki, and restated without equivocation his belief that Russia continues to pose a threat to the US electoral system.
Coats also revealed in the interview with NBC’s Andrea Mitchell that he was unaware of what transpired in the private meeting between Trump and Putin in Helsinki, and restated without equivocation his belief that Russia continues to pose a threat to the American electoral system.
“Basically, they are the ones that are trying to undermine our basic values and divide with our allies,” Coats said of Russia. “They are the ones who are trying to wreak havoc over our election process.”“Basically, they are the ones that are trying to undermine our basic values and divide with our allies,” Coats said of Russia. “They are the ones who are trying to wreak havoc over our election process.”
Coats, who oversees the US’s 17 intelligence agencies, also said that if he had been asked he would have advised Trump against meeting Putin alone, with only interpreters present. Coats, who oversees the US’s 17 intelligence agencies, said that if he had been asked he would have advised Trump against meeting Putin with only interpreters present.
“That’s not my role. That’s not my job. It is what it is,” Coats said.“That’s not my role. That’s not my job. It is what it is,” Coats said.
Saturday’s statement from Coats, more than 48 hours after the initial interview, capped a week of public walk-backs by the Trump administration relating to Russia. The statement from Coats on Saturday, more than 48 hours after the initial interview, capped a week of public backflips by the Trump administration relating to Russia.
Trump’s public doubting of Russia’s culpability for interference in 2016 – though he later tried to “clarify” his remarks a day later – sparked bipartisan condemnation in Washington and prompted congressional lawmakers to look once again for ways to tighten sanctions on the longtime US foe. Trump’s public doubting of Russia’s culpability for interference in 2016 prompted bipartisan condemnation in Washington and led congressional lawmakers to look once again for ways to tighten sanctions on Moscow.
Coats, a former GOP senator from Indiana, has until this week been a largely invisible figure in Trump’s cabinet. Earlier in the administration, his voice was drowned out by the more outspoken Mike Pompeo, who was CIA director before Trump tapped him up as secretary of state. With Pompeo heading the state department, Coats has been thrust into the limelight as the voice of the intelligence community. Coats, a former Republican senator from Indiana, had until this week been a largely invisible figure in Trump’s cabinet. Earlier in the administration, his voice was drowned out by the more outspoken Mike Pompeo, who was CIA director before Trump made him secretary of state. With Pompeo heading the state department, Coats has been thrust into the limelight as the voice of the intelligence community.
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
Vladimir PutinVladimir Putin
RussiaRussia
US foreign policyUS foreign policy
Trump administrationTrump administration
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