President Trump on Wednesday denied that he’s considering replacing Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, after reports said the spy chief could be ousted soon.
“I haven’t even thought about it,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday when asked about Coats’ future.
Trump reportedly became frustrated with Coats after he distanced himself from the president’s comments about North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons. Coats told Congress last month that he does not believe the hermit kingdom will ever end its nuclear weapons program.
Trump’s latest comments came just before Trump is scheduled to travel to Vietnam next week for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump confidant Chris Ruddy said this week he had been told by White House sources that Coats could be fired for breaking with Trump.
“There’s a feeling that maybe there needs to be a change of leadership in that position,” Ruddy told CNN. “I don’t know what his plan is, he doesn’t tell me who he’s gonna dismiss or not.”
A Washington Post report also quoted unnamed sources saying Trump had grown frustrated with Coats and had asked close allies for names of possible replacements.
