Outgoing Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan called President-elect Trump’s comment comparing the intelligence agencies leaking documents to Nazi Germany “outrageous” Sunday
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Speaking on Fox News, Brennan said Trump has to realize his words have impact.
“It is unsubstantiated reporting that is out there that has been circulating in the private sector – with the media as well — by a firm that pulled this information together,” Brennan said. “But what I do find outrageous is equating intelligence community with Nazi Germany. I do take great umbrage at that.”
Brennan emphasized the intelligence community wants to support Trump, even though the president-elect has repeatedly called into question their integrity. Trump has raised eyebrows by consistently insulting the intelligence community during the transition, especially over reports that Russia hacked Democratic National Committee emails.
He said Trump doesn’t know what the Russians are capable of and may be underestimating a threat to American security.
“I don’t think he has full appreciation of Russian capabilities, Russian intentions, and actions that they are undertaking in many parts of the world, and that’s what the obligation, responsibility in the intelligence community is,” he said.
Brennan said Trump must realize his ego is not as important than the United States and its security.
Being president is more than just “talking and tweeting,” Brennan said. When he comes into office on Friday, the president-elect is going to have to realize the presidency is not just about him.
Brennan also refused to confirm or deny knowing if The Kremlin has compromising information on Trump.
“The intelligence community collects foreign intelligence on foreign parties, entities, or people. If in the course of our intelligence collection we pick up information related to U.S. persons or officials, which we refer to it as incidental collection, we share that information with the appropriate authorities, most instances that’s the FBI,” Brennan said.
“And so if we did come into contact with that type of information, it would have been shared with the FBI and we would make sure that our intelligence committees were aware of it as well.”
He added, “I wouldn’t confirm or deny something like that on your program.”
