Since his inauguration in January, President Donald Trump has attended just 12 briefings from intelligence officials of the President’s Daily Brief, Politico reported Friday.
During his first term, Trump attended these briefings with intel officials twice a week. The daily brief presidents receive give an overview from the intelligence community’s summary of the key national security challenges.
The limited number of briefings this time has reportedly raised concerns among many individuals within and surrounding the intelligence community.
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A former CIA analyst, who was not named, told Politico: "The point of having an $80 billion intelligence service is to inform the president to avert a strategic surprise."
But even when the president is absent, these crucial meetings are attended by his senior national security aides. Cabinet officials are also briefed by intelligence officials, the report notes.
Top administration officials insisted to Politico that Trump is able to receive the information he needs and remains in contact with his intelligence chiefs.
“The president is constantly apprised of classified briefings and is regularly in touch with his national security team,” Davis Ingle, a White House spokesperson, told Politico. But he didn't say why the president has received just 12 briefings.
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“‘It’s sadly clear that President Trump doesn’t value the expertise of and dangerous work performed by our intelligence professionals each and every day, and unfortunately, it leaves the American people increasingly vulnerable to threats we ought to see coming,’” Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), told Politico.
Trump has been leading efforts to facilitate peace in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as to rekindle nuclear negotiations with Iran — all while facing rising threats from competitors like Russia and China.
"Each president is different in the manner and pace at which they receive their briefings, and Trump is not entirely out of step with some of his predecessors," the report said.
"But with Trump, there is added concern as he is known not to read the accompanying briefing document, referred to as “the book,” that is put together by intelligence analysts in a highly labor-intensive process. This document is delivered in hard copy or on a tablet device to the president and his key advisers five days a week."
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