Top intel official Dan Coats says he meant no disrespect to Trump at Colorado security forum

Associated Press

Show Caption Hide Caption US intel chief surprised by Trump’s Putin invite News of the Trump administration's invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet with the president in Washington appeared to catch Dan Coats, the Director of National Intelligence, off guard as he attended a security forum in Colorado. (July 19)

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — The top U.S. intelligence official is saying he meant no disrespect to President Donald Trump in a televised interview discussing the summit with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats says his Thursday comments at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado were not intended to be critical of the president’s handling of the summit.

Coats has been under scrutiny since he said he wished Trump had not met one-on-one with the Russian leader, expressed dismay that the president had publicly undermined U.S. intelligence agencies, and appeared surprised by the revelation that Trump invited Putin to a meeting in Washington later this year.

Says Coats: “My admittedly awkward response was in no way meant to be disrespectful or criticize the actions of the president.”

Images from the summit in Helsinki:

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