Trump doesn't need security briefings because he's 'like, a smart person'
Donald Trump says he doesn't need daily security briefings as president because he's "like, a smart person."
In case you're wondering, every president since President Harry S. Truman has received a daily briefing on the security threats facing the United States. Sometimes they say important things, such as, "Bin Ladin Determined to Strike in US."
But President-elect Trump, talking to Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday, explained why they're just not his thing.
WALLACE: I just want to ask you about your skepticism about the intelligence community. You are getting the presidential daily brief only once a week.
TRUMP: Yes. Well, I get it when I need it.
WALLACE: But, if there is some skepticism ...
TRUMP: Look, first of all, these are very good people giving me the briefings. And I say if something should change from this point, immediately call me, I’m available on one minute’s notice. I don’t have to be told, you know, I’m, like, a smart person. I don’t have to be told the same thing and the same words every single day for the next 8 years. Could be 8 years, but 8 years. I don’t need that.
Obviously, plenty of people were not reassured by Trump's unique approach to national security.
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We get it. The president is a very busy man. But here are a few of the things Trump does seem to have time for as president-elect.
Ultimately, it looks like a lot of the responsibility when it comes to national security will fall on the next vice president of the United States, Mike Pence.
TRUMP: Now, in the meantime, my generals are great. Are being briefed. And Mike Pence is being briefed, who is by the way one of my very good decisions. He’s doing terrific. And they’re being briefed and I’m being briefed also. But if they’re gonna come and tell me the exact same thing that they told me, you know it doesn’t change necessarily, but there are times where it might change, I mean they’ll be some very fluid situations. I’ll be there, not every day, but more than that.
Well, I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty safe. Check out the full Fox News interview below.
Topics Donald Trump
Keith Wagstaff is an assistant editor at Mashable and a terrible Settlers of Catan player. He has written for TIME, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, NBC News, The Village Voice, VICE, GQ and New York Magazine, among many other reputable and not-so-reputable publications. After nearly a decade in New York City, he now lives in his native Los Angeles.
