US spy chief retracts ‘awkward’ response to Trump’s invitation for Putin
The US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats has retracted his “awkward” reaction to President Donald Trump’s invitation into the White House of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
"My admittedly awkward response was in no way meant to be disrespectful or criticize the actions of the President," Coats said on Saturday.
He was speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado on Thursday when the host delivered the news of Trump’s invitation.
Clearly caught by surprise, Coats asked the interviewer: "Say that again, did I hear you?"
"Okay, that's going to be special," the spymaster said with an awkward laughter.
In his Saturday statement, Coats took a swipe at the media for “mischaracterizing” his response.
"Some press coverage has mischaracterized my intentions in responding to breaking news presented to me during a live interview," he continued.
Coats then reiterated his commitment to serving the president and helping him with his plans to counter “Russian meddling” in the US democratic process.
The development comes after Trump’s Monday meeting with Putin in the Finnish capital of Helsinki, which was overshadowed by Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election, a conclusion made by all US intelligence agencies following Trump's surprising victory against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
Controversy arose when during a joint press briefing, the US head of state appeared to side with Putin and undermine the US intelligence community over the allegations.
Trump briefly contradicted findings by his intelligence agencies and said he did not see any reason “why it would be” Russia behind the attacks. He walked back that statement on Tuesday, however, claiming he meant to say “wouldn’t.”
Trump, who is under a high-profile investigation for alleged “collusion” with Moscow, has on several occasions made statements on the Russian interference issue that contradicted Coats.
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