Trump Says He Doesn’t Need What?

Former President Donald Trump recently made headlines by opting not to receive intelligence briefings while he was the Republican nominee for president, as reported by DailyMail.com.

Trump explained his decision by saying, “I don’t want them because, number one, I know what’s happening. It’s very easy to see what’s happening.” This approach is a departure from the usual practice, where presidential nominees typically receive briefings from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. This tradition, initiated during President Harry Truman’s era in the 1950s, aims to ensure that nominees are well-prepared for a smooth transition if they win the election.

Trump voiced his concerns about the briefings, suggesting that they could be misused. “I don’t want that because as soon as I get it, they’ll say I leaked it,” he said. He implied that the briefings might be used against him rather than assisting him, adding, “The best way to handle that situation is to skip the briefing altogether.” Trump assured that he would have plenty of opportunities to access intelligence once back in office.

In contrast, President Joe Biden, in 2021, decided to deny Trump the standard intelligence briefings typically offered to former presidents. Biden cited Trump’s “erratic behavior” as the reason for his decision, arguing that there was no pressing need for Trump to be kept informed in this manner.

Trump’s relationship with U.S. intelligence agencies has been strained for years. He has consistently criticized the FBI, alleging that they spied on his 2016 campaign. This scrutiny was fueled by revelations of text messages exchanged between former FBI officials Lisa Page and Peter Strzok, which suggested bias against Trump. Additionally, Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate was raided by the FBI in 2022 over classified documents, a situation that has been further complicated by the revelation that President Biden also retained classified documents from his time as a senator.