Outgoing CIA chief rips into Trump over tweets,

New Post Public Reply Private Reply Replies (1) Message Board

Jan 15, 2017 at 12:40 PM 366

Outgoing CIA chief rips into Trump over tweets, Russia

WASHINGTON (AP) — Outgoing CIA Director John Brennan ripped into Donald Trump on Sunday for "talking and tweeting" about possibly easing sanctions against Russia, saying the president-elect lacks a full understanding of the threat Moscow poses to the United States.

January 15, 2017

"I think he has to be mindful that he does not have a full appreciation and understanding of what the implications are of going down that road," Brennan said on "Fox News Sunday," a show Trump routinely watches.

"Now that he's going to have an opportunity to do something for our national security as opposed to talking and tweeting, he's going to have tremendous responsibility to make sure that U.S. and national security interests are protected," Brennan added.

Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The extraordinary televised lecture to the incoming president highlighted the bitter state of Trump's relationship with the American intelligence community just days before he is inaugurated as the nation's 45th president. Trump has repeatedly shrugged off intelligence that's convinced Republicans and Democrats that Russia tried to help him win election.

He's publicly called for a better relationship between the U.S. and President Vladimir Putin's government, and suggested in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Friday that he'd consider easing sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama as payback for the alleged election hacking.

Trump also has suggested that the intelligence community is out to get him — including by the leak of a document containing potentially damaging, but unverified, financial and personal information on Trump. Trump has likened the situation to "Nazi Germany." Brennan on Sunday called that comparison "outrageous" and said the intelligence community wanted the president-elect to know that the document was circulating among some news outlets.

But an array of revelations has shed more light on the Trump-Putin relationship. Ret. Gen. Michael Flynn, who is set to become Trump's national security adviser, and Russia's ambassador to the U.S. have been in frequent contact in recent weeks, including on the day the Obama administration hit Moscow with sanctions in retaliation for the alleged election hacking, a senior U.S. official says.

After initially denying that Flynn and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak spoke Dec. 29, a Trump official said late Friday that the transition team was aware of one call on the day the Obama administration imposed the sanctions.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence, also in an appearance on "Fox News Sunday," denied that Flynn and Kislyak discussed anything relating to the sanctions. Pence said he talked to Flynn about this on Saturday. "The conversations that took place at that time were not in any way related to the new U.S. sanctions against Russia or the expulsion of diplomats."

Repeated contacts just as Obama imposed sanctions would raise questions about whether Trump's team discussed — or even helped shape — Russia's response. Russian President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly did not retaliate against the U.S. for the sanctions or the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats, a decision Trump quickly praised.

Pence on Sunday also denied that anyone from the Trump campaign contacted Russian officials before the election. Brennan on Sunday roundly denounced Trump's approach to Russia and other national security threats, suggesting the president-elect has much to understand before he can make informed decisions on such matters. Trump's impulsivity could be dangerous, Brennan suggested.

"Spontaneity is not something that protects national security interests," Brennan said, saying twice that the matter is "more than being about him." "I think Mr. Trump has to understand that absolving Russia of various actions it has taken in the past number of years is a road that he needs to be very, very careful about moving down."

There are costs to casting doubts on the credibility of the national intelligence community, Brennan added. "The world is watching now what Trump says and listening very carefully. If he doesn't have confidence in the intelligence community, what signal does that send to our partners and allies as well as our adversaries?" Brennan said.

"It's more than just about Mr. Trump," he said.

Featured stocks: Coffee Shoppe
For conservative debate: "Keeping it Real"
Game Changing stock $SHMP

Newer

Older

Scroll down for more posts ▼

Top 10 Most Recent News Articles

FDA Greenlights VELO: A Turning Point for Reynolds?

FDA Decision: A Big Win for Reynolds American Boy, am I seeing a shift in the winds. The FDA's green light for VELO nicotine pouches adds a fresh feather to Reynolds American's cap. In a gritty industry like tobacco, getting FDA's nod ain't just about safety; it’s a strategic leg up against traditional smoke. My gut tells me this isn't just about keeping pace. It's...

AstroRad Vest Makes Spaceflight History at Smithsonian

Space Gear Finds a New Home In a move that brings a piece of the cosmos down to Earth, the AstroRad radiation protection vest, used by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has landed a spot in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. It's not just some random hunk of tech; this vest represents a milestone in the annals of space gear — a...

Standards Touch 2027 Student Paper Competition

Diving into Trust: ANSI's 2027 Paper Challenge Out from the buzz of New York, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has stirred up some real brain-teasing talk for students across the country. Kicking off the 2027 Student Paper Competition, they're handing students a chance to ponder a question we take for granted every day. Do we ever truly consider what makes...

Richmond Mutual's Q3 2026: A Merger's Mixed Impact

Third Quarter Reflections: Big Changes, Mixed Results Alright, Richmond Mutual Bancorporation just dropped their third quarter results for 2026 and let's just say, it's got more layers than an onion. Richmond's the parent of First Bank Midwest, and their latest numbers tell a tale of a merger aftermath with Farmers Bancorp. They've pulled off a balance sheet expansion,...

How Dental Cleaning Frequency Boosts Oral Health

Cleaning Up Confusion on Dental Visits Never thought I'd be waxing poetic about gum health, but here we are. You know what they say, ain't no business like show business—and today's show is all about the pearly whites context, courtesy of Dr. Calvin Despain over in Moses Lake, Washington. Apparently, keeping that grin free from plaque isn't as simple as a quick brush...

Tradier Brokerage Data Breach Sparks Legal Probe

Data Breach Drama Hits Tradier Brokerage Picture a broker-dealer like Tradier Brokerage, out in Charlotte, getting its customers' details hanging out there for the world to see. A calamity, courtesy of a cyberattack on their third-party vendor, Etna Software Corp. And we're talking Social Security numbers, tax IDs—emails across Texas and Massachusetts were popping up...

Novelis Readies for Q2 Earnings Amid Global Market Focus

Amid the ever-turbulent waves of industrial demand and environmental expectations, Novelis Inc. is set to lay bare its fiscal cards for Q2 of 2027. Circle November 5 on your calendar—this is when Steve Fisher and Dev Ahuja aim to sift through the heaps, scrutinize numbers, and spell out their game plan for investors via a conference call. Get your coffee ready for this...

ANTHBOT N8 Wins Honors: A New Era in Lawn Care?

Rising Above the Grass Well, here's a twist: ANTHBOT's latest robot mower, the N8, caught the eyes of TIME magazine and snagged a spot on their Best Inventions of 2026 list. A lawnmower? You bet. And not just any lawnmower—this one's doing a whole song and dance with its 4-in-1 approach that'll make any garden-owning homeowner's life simpler. Kudos to them for shaking...

Apollo Scooters Reveal the Truth About Winter Range Loss

When the mercury dips, how far can your electric scooter really take you? Apollo Scooters has put some meat on the bones of this question, digging through over half a million rides to bust the myth that chillier days chop your scooter's range by half. Reality Check on Winter Range Loss For years, folks have griped that cold weather slashes electric vehicle range by a...

BAILOR Welcomes Co-Founder Bob Bailor to Coach Academy

A New Chapter for a Seasoned Entrepreneur There's a certain irony in a seasoned business vet stepping into a new role at his own daughter's company, and that's exactly what's unfolding with the Bailors. Huntsville's own BAILOR isn't just another growth strategy company; it's the embodiment of a father-daughter dream team. After years as the ordinary head honcho, Bob...