“Thank you very much, no.”
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
President Donald Trump is under fire again for contradicting United States intelligence agencies on Russian interference.
In a meeting with reporters Wednesday at the White House, the president was asked, “Is Russia still targeting the U. S., Mr. President?”
Trump replied, “Thank you very much, no.”
WATCH: At conclusion of Cabinet meeting, reporter asks: Is Russia still targeting the U. S.?
President Trump: “Thank you very much. No.” pic.twitter.com/ynHVgOriAP
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 18,2018
The U. S. intelligence community has a different answer.
According to The Hill, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said last week that “the warning lights are blinking red again” for possible Russian cyber attacks against the United States. Coats was appointed by Trump in 2017.
The president continued Wednesday after his “no” answer, claiming he has been tough on Russia.
“I think President Putin knows that better than anybody, certainly a lot better than the media,” Trump remarked. “He understands it and he’s not happy about it and he shouldn’t be happy about it because there’s never been a president as tough on Russia as I have been.”
But Trump is accused of being the opposite of tough on Russia at his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. He denied any Russian involvement in the 2016 election, citing Putin’s claim that there was no interference. However, he backtracked on that statement after receiving harsh criticism.
Senator Bob Menendez (D-N. J.) spoke with MSNBC on Wednesday about Trump denying current Russian meddling.
“Every one of our intelligence agencies, those who are led by appointees of President Trump, have said that not only that Russia engaged actively in trying to undermine the elections of 2016 against Secretary Clinton and for now-President Trump, but that they are continuing to do so,” he said.
Hey @ODNIgov Coats, can you clarify if Russia is continuing to target the United States?? Because the President just said “no.” Unless he’s about to correct himself and say he meant “yes”??
This is why I believe that there is some kind of compromising set of circumstances here pic.twitter.com/venBEd9x8A
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) July 18,2018
On Tuesday, the President told reporters, “I accept our intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election took place.” But then seemed skeptical adding, “Could be other people also. A lot of people out there.”
