Russia no longer targeting U.S., Trump says

Statement contradicts his own intelligence chief, who believes Kremlin action is real

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to say Wednesday that Russia is no longer targeting the United States, contradicting his own intelligence chief.

His assertion came a day after promising that his administration is working to prevent Kremlin interference in the upcoming midterm elections.

However, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that Trump was answering a different question — “We believe the threat still exists.”

Wednesday’s “Russia no longer targeting” statement was the latest conflicting assertion from Trump since he emerged from a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in Helsinki.

And it directly contradicts assertions from Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, who has repeatedly said Russia continues to try to interfere with American democracy.

On Wednesday, when the president was asked whether Russia is “still targeting” the United States, Trump said, “No.”

The statement underscores his continuing pattern of questioning the United States intelligence agencies.

And it also increases pressure on Trump to disclose details about what he and Putin discussed in their two-hour private meeting.

Wednesday’s statement drew more outrage, including from his own party.

“I’m dumbfounded by the statement he does not believe that the Russians are still up to it,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Graham said ignoring the threat posed by the Russians was “political malpractice” if the threat was real. “I believe it’s real,” he said.

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the chair of the Intelligence Committee, said he had no reason to doubt the warnings from intelligence agencies about November’s midterm elections.

“He ought to look at the intelligence,” Burr said of the president.

Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, said Trump’s rejection of U.S. intelligence put the security of the United States at risk.

“It raises questions not only about Trump’s credibility but his commitment to our nation’s security,” Warner said.