WASHINGTON — President Trump on Tuesday accused the chairman of the Home Intelligence Committee of leaking details about Russia’s efforts to interv
WASHINGTON — President Trump on Tuesday accused the chairman of the Home Intelligence Committee of leaking details about Russia’s efforts to intervene within the 2020 election, dismissed the intelligence as “exaggerated” and refused to acknowledge that Moscow was behind related efforts in 2016.
“I can’t think about that individuals are not going to go after them and discover out what’s taking place,” Mr. Trump stated, referring to the committee, led by Consultant Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, a longtime foil of the president’s.
Mr. Trump additionally stated that he didn’t plan on saying something controversial through the information convention on the finish of his visit to India.
When particulars concerning the persistence of Russia’s efforts associated to 2020 have been revealed final week, together with new details about Moscow’s efforts to affect the Democratic primaries, Mr. Trump was significantly bothered that officers would inform Mr. Schiff, who led the impeachment efforts in opposition to the president and is entitled to those briefings as a part of his oversight position.
“Schiff leaked it, in my view — and he shouldn’t be leaking issues like that,” Mr. Trump stated with out proof, responding to a query about recent intelligence briefings about Russia’s meddling within the upcoming election.
Mr. Trump made an analogous accusation final week and in addition referred to as for an investigation into Mr. Schiff, to which Mr. Schiff responded: “Your false claims idiot nobody.”
The president’s deflection Tuesday of questions from reporters concerning the risk from Russia and the ominous comment about “going to go after” lawmakers have been extraordinary, not solely due to the potential impression on American democracy, but additionally as a result of he pledged to not say something controversial, as he had beforehand completed on the finish of different overseas journeys.
“I’m going to be in no way controversial, as a result of I don’t wish to blow the 2 days plus two days of journey on one reply — one little reply,” Mr. Trump warned reporters in short remarks earlier than he took questions.
The information media, he stated, would take one thing small and “blow it out, and that will be the top of the journey. They gained’t even discuss concerning the journey. I shall be very, very conservative with my solutions if you happen to don’t thoughts.”
Minutes later, he accused Mr. Schiff of leaking intelligence.