Trump makes CIA his first stop; former director Brennan says he should be ‘ashamed of himself’

By Katie Frates, DCNF

Just one day after he left the seat, former CIA Director John Brennan said President Donald Trump “should be ashamed of himself.”

Trump gave his first speech to the CIA Saturday after repeatedly attacking the U.S. intelligence community as president-elect. At the time, he alleged they leaked information about Russian interference in the presidential election.

.@FoxNews “Outgoing CIA Chief, John Brennan, blasts Pres-Elect Trump on Russia threat. Does not fully understand.” Oh really, couldn’t do…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2017

much worse – just look at Syria (red line), Crimea, Ukraine and the build-up of Russian nukes. Not good! Was this the leaker of Fake News?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2017

He again went after the intelligence community after Buzzfeed and others published an anti-Trump-funded private intelligence dossier.

Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to “leak” into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017

Then-Director Brennan lashed back, telling The Wall Street Journal, “It’s when there are allegations made about leaking or about dishonesty or a lack of integrity, that’s where I think the line is crossed,” he said. “Tell the CIA officers who are serving in harm’s way right now and their families who are worried about them that they are akin to Nazi Germany. I found that to be very repugnant, and I will forever stand up for the integrity and patriotism of my officers who have done much over the years to sacrifice for their fellow citizens.”

Brennan, director from 2013 to Jan. 20, 2017, said he is “deeply saddened” by Trump’s Saturday speech.

Former CIA deputy chief of staff Nick Shapiro tweeted out Brennan’s comments:

Former CIA Dir Brennan is deeply saddened and angered at Trump’s despicable display of self-aggrandizement…(1/2)

— Nick Shapiro (@nick_shapiro) January 21, 2017

…in front of CIA’s Memorial Wall of Agency heroes. Brennan says that Trump should be ashamed of himself.” (2/2)

— Nick Shapiro (@nick_shapiro) January 21, 2017

Trump spent a portion of the speech bashing media’s portrayal of the crowd size at his inauguration Jan. 20. His press secretary, Sean Spicer, later came out Saturday in an unscheduled press briefing to attack the media’s coverage of Inauguration Day.

He also told the CIA he would give them so much support that they would say, “Please Mr. President don’t give us so much backing.”

Trump nominated Rep. Mike Pompeo as the next CIA director. Democrats delayed his confirmation Friday night with procedural tactics.

During his confirmation hearing Jan. 12, Pompeo told Sen. Joe Manchin the greatest threat the U.S. faces is international terrorism. “ISIS remains a resilient movement,” Pompeo said. “The concern is making sure they, and those they inspire, are prevented from expanding their reach, returning home, or slaughtering more innocent people.”

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