'Willful Ignorance.' Inside President Trump's Troubled Intelligence Briefings

[MateoMtnClimber]

Well, thanks....I'm just a simple truck driver, that has lived life, served my country in uniform, raised a family, and doesn't want to see this country weakened just because the liberal left doesn't believe we are any better, as a nation than any other nation, ala Obama....

This is an exceptional country that is a force for good in the world, and without us, the world would be a pretty miserable place.

I agree with that, of course, but it contradicts the current administration. Trump does not want the US to be a force for good in the world. He is a proud nationalist with an overt nationalistic agenda, which he used to gain election. As just one of many, many examples I could offer, his one-man decision to withdraw US military presences from certain theaters is actually worse for the world and makes the world a more dangerous (miserable?) place than it would be if he just did nothing at all.

 

[ElChupacabra]

LOL!!! This is but one example what that source considers an 'accomplishment'


"Chaired meeting the 73rd General Session of the United Nations discussing the worldwide drug problem with international leaders."

and they lap it up without question. :cuckoo:

That's the kind of stuff I used to warn my staff about not including in their yearly accomplishments. "Attended Excel class" does not count as an accomplishment.

 

[trixare4kids]

Look at the above. He's a moron with the attention span of a toddler. Maybe they should try using a highchair and a bib. Geezus.

I wouldn't let Trump run a hot dog stand on the Boardwalk.

Thank God you're not in charge of the country.

 

[trixare4kids]

Please, please show me proof of that.....How freakin dare you....

Well to be fair J, you didn't think it was funny when were laughing at you for thinking President Obama was born in Kenya, his BC a forgery, he wants to kill old people and the stimulus will hyperinflation, dollar collapse, market to zero. and the one I'll be sure to tell my grandchildren is that you thought republicans really really really want to balance the budget. Until you admit you have a problem, we cant help you.

.

Our "friend" Vern tried to pull that one on me yesterday as well.... Looks like he needs some new material. :roll:

 

[MateoMtnClimber]

He's been doing an awful job running the government for two years, and it's still Obama's fault? Still?

FFS, when do we get to say that the president is in charge of the federal government and it's on him if it runs well or is run poorly?

When the next Democrat takes office.

 

[j-mac]

Hi, j. I hope you're doing well. I don't take too much exception with your OP, but do you think that the underlying reporting is that far fetched? It is no secret that Trump has an attention deficit, is not very sophisticated in his understanding of geopolitics, and has an irrational distrust of his own government. I know that you have some skepticism of your own; and I do not intend to criticize you. I'm simply positing that rather than a coup, we might be witnessing the effects of a bureaucracy that believes certain things for very good reasons conflicting with a president who believes certain contradictory things for ostensibly no good reasons or substantiation at all.

Hi Mateo...I see your point, however, if there is paranoia, or some irrationality coming from the President, I think at this point he has good reason...Think about it, he's gone two years now, with a totally political SP dogging his presidency, an opposition party that will say the most vile things true or not, a hostile MSM media that will simply make up outrageous stories, and a faction within his own party siding with the democrats to undermine his presidency...And that's not to mention leaks, some possibly illegal, about everything from his private conversations with other world leaders, to their own whacked thoughts about his stability....

Just think of it this way...If President Obama had had a Bush holdover IC officer giving him his PDB, and ran to FNC to say these things about Obama, people would have had a literal cow! But, it's perfectly fine to do anything to this President because, well, you know....HATE.

 

[ElChupacabra]

Hi Mateo...I see your point, however, if there is paranoia, or some irrationality coming from the President, I think at this point he has good reason...Think about it, he's gone two years now, with a totally political SP dogging his presidency, an opposition party that will say the most vile things true or not, a hostile MSM media that will simply make up outrageous stories, and a faction within his own party siding with the democrats to undermine his presidency...And that's not to mention leaks, some possibly illegal, about everything from his private conversations with other world leaders, to their own whacked thoughts about his stability....

Just think of it this way...If President Obama had had a Bush holdover IC officer giving him his PDB, and ran to FNC to say these things about Obama, people would have had a literal cow! But, it's perfectly fine to do anything to this President because, well, you know....HATE.

The other part of that assessment is how much of that is Trump's own doing. From making flip comments about Russia finding Clinton's missing emails, to harshly critiquing people, and riding the "us versus them" wave, I don't see how he isn't held accountable. Throwing members of his administration under the bus didn't help either. Looking at it from a purely managerial perspective, what's been displayed by Trump are actions that help corrode support from within. I think that's a bog reason his first year staff turnover has been pretty high. I don't think officials should be leaking information either, but in this case none of it is classified information and it does pique curiosity into how things are actually being managed.

 

[j-mac]

I agree with that, of course, but it contradicts the current administration. Trump does not want the US to be a force for good in the world. He is a proud nationalist with an overt nationalistic agenda, which he used to gain election. As just one of many, many examples I could offer, his one-man decision to withdraw US military presences from certain theaters is actually worse for the world and makes the world a more dangerous (miserable?) place than it would be if he just did nothing at all.

Well, I don't think that is totally the case...Yes, I believe he wants to pull American troops from quagmires he thinks are never going to have a resolution, but at the same time he wants the US to be strong, and ready....Arguing against sending men and women to die in far off lands for reasons no one knows, or thinks will have a finality is a winning argument...That doesn't mean we can not lead...Does it?

 

[trixare4kids]

OMG you people sure twist things that are said....I truly hope that is not on purpose because if it is, it is so dishonest....

In any case, as I stated, the very nature of the PDB, and all aspects of it, including whom it was given to is classified...These people are breaking the law by the very nature of talking about it in any fashion...

You and I both know, that Trump haters don't care if the leaks are illegal. The more the better as far as they are concerned...
Whatever it takes, ... 'the end justifies the means' with them.

 

[iguanaman]

The irony of that statement is more than I can take. Russia Russia Russia! :roll:

That sounds like you are finally reading Mueller's indictments. That R word is in every one of them.

 

[iguanaman]

You and I both know, that Trump haters don't care if the leaks are illegal. The more the better as far as they are concerned...
Whatever it takes, ... 'the end justifies the means' with them.

And Trumpists do not care what Trump and his crime family has done or what laws they have broken. Whatever it takes, ... 'the end justifies the means' with them.

 

[j-mac]

The other part of that assessment is how much of that is Trump's own doing. From making flip comments about Russia finding Clinton's missing emails, to harshly critiquing people, and riding the "us versus them" wave, I don't see how he isn't held accountable. Throwing members of his administration under the bus didn't help either. Looking at it from a purely managerial perspective, what's been displayed by Trump are actions that help corrode support from within. I think that's a bog reason his first year staff turnover has been pretty high. I don't think officials should be leaking information either, but in this case none of it is classified information and it does pique curiosity into how things are actually being managed.

Well....There will always be people who disagree with whomever is in office. I get it...Trump's style is brash, and not as diplomatic as the polished politicians of the past, and people don't like that at all...I don't always personally agree with it and think many times Trump shoots himself in the foot...But, if these are the standards going forward, just remember this when a President Biden, or a President Sanders has to deal with when it happens to them...Because some of this crap you don't come back from....

 

[MateoMtnClimber]

Hi Mateo...I see your point, however, if there is paranoia, or some irrationality coming from the President, I think at this point he has good reason...Think about it, he's gone two years now, with a totally political SP dogging his presidency, an opposition party that will say the most vile things true or not, a hostile MSM media that will simply make up outrageous stories, and a faction within his own party siding with the democrats to undermine his presidency...And that's not to mention leaks, some possibly illegal, about everything from his private conversations with other world leaders, to their own whacked thoughts about his stability....

Just think of it this way...If President Obama had had a Bush holdover IC officer giving him his PDB, and ran to FNC to say these things about Obama, people would have had a literal cow! But, it's perfectly fine to do anything to this President because, well, you know....HATE.

You know me better than to think that I traffic in double standards. I'm a fallible human being, but I try my hardest to maintain consistent standards. To me, that is one of the top few most important aspects of a person's character.

I don't believe in a deep state; and I am honest enough to acknowledge that anonymous sources and government leaks have been a part of life for way longer than anyone alive today has lived. I'm not going to care any more or less about them no matter who occupies the WH because . . . consistency. If in fact Obama stuffed the bureaucracy with secret agents hell bent and assigned to thwart Trump, which I have never believed for any amount of time, then Trump has had more than two years to right his ship. Think about what you and I can accomplish in two years. Everyone reading this knows that Trump is such a maniac that if he honestly perceived a deep state, he would purge the entire federal government and instruct his Cabinet to reconstruct it. There is no deep state. It's an excuse for the legitimate resistance that lifelong Republicans and professional career bureaucrats give to a president who acts recklessly.

 

[j-mac]

And Trumpists do not care what Trump and his crime family has done or what laws they have broken. Whatever it takes, ... 'the end justifies the means' with them.

That's simply not true...But we sure aren't going to take the word of the sneer/snark gang about where our support should lay....You wouldn't in the reverse....

 

[trixare4kids]

And Trumpists do not care what Trump and his crime family has done or what laws they have broken. Whatever it takes, ... 'the end justifies the means' with them.

IF I knew what crime Trump and his crime family has done, (I am assuming you are talking about Trump's immediate family), you'd have a point.
I don't excuse anyone who breaks the law, so save the deceitful theater for a more willing participant.

 

[ElChupacabra]

Well....There will always be people who disagree with whomever is in office. I get it...Trump's style is brash, and not as diplomatic as the polished politicians of the past, and people don't like that at all...I don't always personally agree with it and think many times Trump shoots himself in the foot...But, if these are the standards going forward, just remember this when a President Biden, or a President Sanders has to deal with when it happens to them...Because some of this crap you don't come back from....

I think it goes a bit deeper than just being brash; you think of someone like LBJ who had a gruff demeanor. In Trump's case he sought to pick a fight, and adopted that tactic for most issues he's trying to address so expecting there not to be a reaction is naive. It becomes a constant uphill battle if you come into an establishment with a "you guys all suck, and I alone am going to sort you out" attitude and expect people to be willing to work with you. He didn't have to become a complete diplomat, but enough to build alliances in the government and media so he can make it easier to get public and political support. When he said "I alone can fix it" I chuckled because it takes the cooperation of others to get things done. I don't think other presidents will take the same approach; even if they're interested in challenging the status quo. You need the ability to make friends; something Trump has struggled to do domestically and internationally.

 

[Atomic Kid]

18 U.S. Code § 798 disagrees with you...

"(a) Whoever knowingly and willfully communicates, furnishes, transmits, or otherwise makes available to an unauthorized person, or publishes, or uses in any manner prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government to the detriment of the United States any classified information—
(1) concerning the nature, preparation, or use of any code, cipher, or cryptographic system of the United States or any foreign government; or
(2) concerning the design, construction, use, maintenance, or repair of any device, apparatus, or appliance used or prepared or planned for use by the United States or any foreign government for cryptographic or communication intelligence purposes; or
(3) concerning the communication intelligence activities of the United States or any foreign government; or
(4) obtained by the processes of communication intelligence from the communications of any foreign government, knowing the same to have been obtained by such processes—
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both...."

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/798

"The President's Daily Brief (PDB), sometimes referred to as the President's Daily Briefing or the President's Daily Bulletin, is a top-secret document produced and given each morning to the President of the United States, and is also distributed to a small number of top-level US officials who are approved by the President, and includes highly classified intelligence analysis, information about covert operations of the US Central Intelligence Agency and reports from the most sensitive US sources or those shared by allied intelligence agencies.[1] "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President's_Daily_Brief

These briefings are classified, and whomever is talking to the press about any aspect of them, are violating the law...Is that ok with you?

What secret did they reveal? That our President is an insolent dumbass? Heck, that's no secret.

 

[MateoMtnClimber]

Well, I don't think that is totally the case...Yes, I believe he wants to pull American troops from quagmires he thinks are never going to have a resolution, but at the same time he wants the US to be strong, and ready....Arguing against sending men and women to die in far off lands for reasons no one knows, or thinks will have a finality is a winning argument...That doesn't mean we can not lead...Does it?

Trump secured additional funding for the military. Being a part of a military family, I know two things about that. 1.) The military is grateful (naturally). 2.) Additional funding would not be necessary if we could control fraud, waste, and abuse (as with every other aspect of government). So since Trump wants to downsize the US military's presence in the world and to quit failed or unending missions, what is the purpose of that money? Is it just a red meat issue for the base? Is it for domestic defense within American territory?

The military is bloated, wasteful, and has a presence in way too many places in the world. In large part, though, that has given the US its ability to lead and maintain stability and security around the globe. That's part of the reason I just don't believe that Trump wants the US to lead the word. A bigger part, of course, is his own rhetoric, which does everything possible to elevate nationalistic priorities and shirk international responsibilities.

 

[prometeus]

Both did, but nevertheless they were smart and honorable.

Well the one I was thinking of Jimmy Carter, certainly was and remains one. I am not sure who the other is that you considered. Never mind, I read the other posts.

 

[CaughtInThe]

That intelligence officials have to dumb things down so far for Trump and butter Trump up so much to even have a chance of getting through to him doesn't concern the OP at all.

The are some really bad CEOs in the world. Trump isn't even up to their level.

 

[MrPeanut]

Building up defense that Obama, and liberals tried their damnedest to tear down is NOT just throwing money at the wealthy and Powerful...It is building America's defenses, something you clearly don't want...The question is why? But, you said it right there cuts regulation, cuts taxes...Both of which progressives like yourself hate because people like you think that income represents what progressives allow American's to keep, rather than the other way around...The corruption of our reps in bed with each other to seek more power, and make themselves wealthy off of their positions in office is another way Trump is exposing, and they hate...That's a couple.

Are you near Charleston? Why don't you go ask some nukes down there how weak the military was under Obama. Trump is making that crap up. The rest of your post is just whining and doesn't warrant a response.

 

[j-mac]

You know me better than to think that I traffic in double standards. I'm a fallible human being, but I try my hardest to maintain consistent standards. To me, that is one of the top few most important aspects of a person's character.

Yeah, and I didn't mean to imply that you were....

I don't believe in a deep state; and I am honest enough to acknowledge that anonymous sources and government leaks have been a part of life for way longer than anyone alive today has lived.

That's a fair point...

If in fact Obama stuffed the bureaucracy with secret agents hell bent and assigned to thwart Trump, which I have never believed for any amount of time, then Trump has had more than two years to right his ship. Think about what you and I can accomplish in two years.

I have the feeling that the WH, and DC are a tad more complicated than what you or I could do...

Everyone reading this knows that Trump is such a maniac that if he honestly perceived a deep state, he would purge the entire federal government and instruct his Cabinet to reconstruct it. There is no deep state. It's an excuse for the legitimate resistance that lifelong Republicans and professional career bureaucrats give to a president who acts recklessly.

We will have to agree to disagree on that...

 

[j-mac]

I think it goes a bit deeper than just being brash; you think of someone like LBJ who had a gruff demeanor. In Trump's case he sought to pick a fight, and adopted that tactic for most issues he's trying to address so expecting there not to be a reaction is naive. It becomes a constant uphill battle if you come into an establishment with a "you guys all suck, and I alone am going to sort you out" attitude and expect people to be willing to work with you. He didn't have to become a complete diplomat, but enough to build alliances in the government and media so he can make it easier to get public and political support. When he said "I alone can fix it" I chuckled because it takes the cooperation of others to get things done. I don't think other presidents will take the same approach; even if they're interested in challenging the status quo. You need the ability to make friends; something Trump has struggled to do domestically and internationally.

I always knew "draining the swamp" would be an epic battle...And one that we may not win...But, at least we have a fighter giving it a go...

 

[j-mac]

Are you near Charleston? Why don't you go ask some nukes down there how weak the military was under Obama. Trump is making that crap up. The rest of your post is just whining and doesn't warrant a response.

Nope, upstate....I know that the flak is strongest when we are over the target, so, for you I must be hitting close to home....

 

[Amelia]

I always knew "draining the swamp" would be an epic battle...And one that we may not win...But, at least we have a fighter giving it a go...

We have a victim-playing whiner making the swamp even swampier.