And that’s about all I’ll say about it.”Another former official being targeted, Michael V. Hayden, the former head of the C.I.A. Senior intelligence officials generally consider themselves, and the information they provide, nonpartisan. But Mr. Trump has routinely attacked intelligence agencies, portraying them as part of a so-called deep state, an unelected cabal seeking to steer United States policy and undercut him. Last year after a meeting with Mr. Putin, Mr. Trump called Mr. Brennan, Mr. Clapper and Mr. Comey “political hacks” as he cast doubt on Russia’s interference. After Mr. Trump again stood alongside President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in Finland last week and sided with him over the intelligence community to cast doubt about the campaign meddling, the trio renewed their denunciations.

Source: New York Times July 23, 2018 19:26 UTC