The gulf between President Trump and the country’s top intelligence chiefs was on full display during a Senate hearing. The heads of the intel agencies, including Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and CIA Director Gina Haspel, contradicted many foreign policy claims made by the President.
- On ISIS. Trump says the terror group has been defeated; the intel chiefs say it’s resurgent.
- On North Korea. Trump says the nuclear threat is over; the intel chiefs say it’s unlikely the North will completely give up its nukes.
- On Iran. Trump says pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal was the best way to stop Iran from developing a nuke; the intel chiefs say they don’t believe Iran is working to build one.
- On climate change. Trump once called it a “hoax”; the intel chiefs say the possible “irreversible damage” caused by it may create significant security challenges in the future as people compete for resources.
Coats also warned that Russia and other foreign countries will likely use new tactics to target the 2020 elections.
(CNN)