Donald Trump to refuse routine intelligence briefings to avoid blame for leaking classified info

ASHEBORO, NORTH CAROLINA: Former president Donald Trump stated that he would not accept routine intelligence briefings as the GOP nominee, while speaking with the Daily Mail on Thursday, August 22. He explained his stance saying that he feared he would be blamed by rivals for leaking classified information.

According to the publication, US spy agencies offer briefings to presidential candidates after they secure the nomination of their parties, to prepare them for the days ahead if they are elected POTUS. However, critics have questioned if Trump should be trusted with such information, as the FBI had previously discovered classified government documents at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida after he left office.

Donald Trump makes his case for refusing intel briefings

Trump told the Daily Mail that accepting the briefings depended on his choice, but "I don't want them, because, number one, I know what's happening. It's very easy to see what's happening."

He went on to slam incumbent Joe Biden and his rival presidential nominee, VP Kamala Harris, stating, "We have an incompetent leader, and we have two incompetent leaders. We have a Marxist that's going to try and be president, and this country is not ready for a Marxist or a communist president, and that's what she is. She destroyed San Francisco, she destroyed California, and this country is not ready for it."

"So I don't want that, because as soon as I get that, they'll say that I leaked it," continued Trump. "So the best way to handle that situation is, I don't need that briefing. They come in, they give you a briefing, and then two days later, they leak it, and then they say you leaked it."

"So the only way to solve that problem is not to take it. I don't want it. I'll have plenty of them when I get in," he added.

Internet trolls Trump over his decision

Netizens reacting to Trump's comments on the Mediaite website mocked the former president for his take, claiming that he was a security risk. The following examples demonstrate the prevalent take.

"I'm fine with Trump not getting classified briefings. He's a security risk," wrote a person.

"Thank God he is not accepting the briefings our country will be much safer now," shared another.

"Trump is a national security risk. The photos of the many documents at Mar-A-Lago are clear evidence," stated a third.

"Republican nominee for US President Donald Trump refusing intel meetings due to fears Americans will expect him to work if elected," mocked a fourth.

"Trump has been avoiding intelligence his entire life," quipped a fifth.

"Good. The intelligence community doesn’t have time to put the briefings in comic book form," jibed yet another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.