Image copyright Reuters Image caption Dan Coats has downplayed his “awkward response” to information of a second Trump-Putin summit
The Top people intelligence has said that he didn’t mean to disrespect President Donald Trump together with his “awkward response” on hearing the inside track that he had invited Russian leader Vladimir Putin to go to Washington.
Director of Nationwide Intelligence Dan Coats had laughed in surprise, pronouncing, “That Is going to be unique”.
The invitation came after Mr Trump’s first summit with Mr Putin in Finland.
Mr Coats has in the past mentioned Russia has tried to undermine US democracy.
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The intelligence leader was speaking on the Aspen Safety Forum in Colorado on Thursday while news of a possible 2nd Trump-Putin summit later this yr broke. He asked his interviewer, “Say that again, did I listen you?”
Then following surprised laughter, Mr Coats stated: “K, that’s going to be unique.”
Mr Coats downplayed his public response days later in a statement, announcing: “A Few press protection has mischaracterised my intentions in responding to breaking news introduced to me right through a reside interview.”
“My admittedly awkward response used to be in no method supposed to be disrespectful or criticise the movements of the President,” he said on Saturday.
Media captionDan Coats reacts to Putin seek advice from news: ‘That Is going to be different…’
He went on to say that he and the intelligence community had been devoted to helping President Trump’s “ongoing efforts to stop Russian meddling in our upcoming elections”.
The White House, which has not commented on the statement, was reportedly furious about Mr Coat’s initial comments, with one senior reputable telling the Washington Post, “Coats has long past rogue”.
Mr Trump has drawn robust criticism from each Republicans and Democrats over his preliminary reluctance in charge Russia for alleged meddling in the 2016 US elections that he won.
Confusion adopted after his return to the u.s., where he has due to the fact that said that he misspoke at a joint information convention in Helsinki with Mr Putin and does grasp the Russian chief for my part accountable.
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