The last week has been a bit rocky for the Trump Administration, as a series of leaks apparently from U.S. Intelligence Agencies officials has raised serious questions about the President’s administration’s ties to Russia.
It’s the latest chapter in a very tense relationship between the U.S. President and intelligence agencies, particularly the CIA. Donald Trump has been attacking his own agencies for some time, believing that information leaked by them led to previous reports about ties between Trump and Russia.
The story goes back to before the general election, when reporters suggested that the Russian government was actively leaking information from the Democratic party in attempt to help the President win the election. For his part, Trump denied these claims before finally admitting Kremlin was probably the source of the leaks.
The CIA was particularly instrumental in following up on the allegations, prompting Trump to liken their governing tactics to “Nazi Germany”. Shortly after his inauguration, Trump gave a speech to CIA employees that seemed to signal an attempt to heal relations between he and the intelligence agency.
Now, however, Trump is doubling down against U.S. Intelligence Agencies once again, this time the FBI and NSA, after new leaks have revealed troubling information about Trump-Russia relations. In a Wednesday tweet, he said the agencies were “just like Russia”.
According to reports, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who resigned after pressure on Monday night, likely lied to the Vice President about discussing lifting sanctions between the U.S. and Russia. Furthermore, other vague connections have been alleged between Trump administration officials and Russian intelligence that are raising questions in the press and public.
Donald Trump is focusing his concern, however, on the intelligence agents who leaked information in the first place. In an early morning rant on Twitter, Trump attacked leakers and the media in one big swoop:
6:58 AM – February 16th: “Leaking, and illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize!”
7:02 AM – February 16th: “The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught!”
9:10 AM – 16 Feb 2017: “FAKE NEWS media, which makes up stories and “sources,” is far more effective than the discredited Democrats – but they are fading fast!
9:39 AM – 16 Feb 2017: “The Democrats had to come up with a story as to why they lost the election, and so badly (306), so they made up a story – RUSSIA. Fake news!”
The New York Times called the series of tweets “calculated to antagonize intelligence agencies and keep supporters trained on the news media.” With serious allegations against the President and his administration, many say the White House, and Trump himself, are on damage control.
Republicans seem less than enthused about the president’s approach to handling and speaking out about the story on a platform like Twitter. In particular, Kentucky Senator and Senate
