Former CIA Director John Brennan testified that if media reports are accurate, President Trump violated at least two protocols when he leaked classified intelligence to Russia.
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Ex-CIA Director Brennan: If reports are accurate, Trump violated 2 protocols when he shared intel with the Russians https://t.co/3duslk99Te
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) May 23, 2017
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During a round of questioning from Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), former CIA Director Brennan said, “I don’t know what was shared or said in the Oval Office, but if the reports in the press are true that Mr. Trump decided to spontaneously some intelligence with the Russians, I think he would have basically violated two protocols, and those protocols are one is that such intelligence, classified intelligence is not shared with visiting foreign ministers or local ambassadors…..Secondly, before sharing classified intelligence with foreign partners, it needs to go back to the originating agency to make sure that the language in it is even just providing the substance going to reveal sources and methods and compromise the future collection capability.”
Brennan also dispelled the myth being floated by Trump and his administration that Trump leak classified information by pointing out that just because Trump shared it with the Russians doesn’t mean that the intelligence was not still classified.
Trump screwed up in a major way when he gave the classified intelligence to the Russians and jeopardized the future ability of that source to provide classified information. The former CIA testified that Trump broke the rules and in the process made America less safe. This hearing is already off to a bad start for Trump as America is gaining insight into how destructive and dangerous his leaking of classified intel to the Russians was.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
