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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Trump intel chief defends briefings ban

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Trump intel chief defends briefings ban
Trump intel chief defends briefings ban

[NFA] U.S. President Donald Trump's intelligence chief on Sunday defended his decision to cease in-person Congressional briefings on election security, while Democrats said the move would suppress critical information about foreign election meddling and warned they may subpoena testimony.

This report produced by Yahaira Jacquez.

The Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, on Sunday defended his decision to stop providing lawmakers with in-person briefings on election security - because of leaks.

Speaking on Fox News, Ratcliffe accused lawmakers of leaking classified information from a July briefing to promote what he called false narratives for political purposes.

His remarks came after he notified the House and Senate intelligence panels on Friday that instead of in-person briefings, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will provide written reports, giving lawmakers less opportunity to press for details as the Nov.

3 election approaches.

Ratcliffe, a close political ally of Trump, is a former member of the House intelligence panel and was a vocal defender of the president during investigations of Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 election.

While on a trip to Texas - President Donald Trump echoed that the move stemmed from leaks.

"You have leakers on the committee.

Obviously leakers who are doing bad things." The decision sparked swift and stern backlash from Democrats.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff in a statement condemned the change, calling it a "shocking abdication" of the of the office's "lawful responsibility to keep the Congress currently informed."

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