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Why is Trump contradicting his Intel chiefs on the threats to national security?
President Trump is adamant that a few of the biggest threats to the U.S. are along our southern border, and in Iran. It's why he's been demanding billions of dollars to build a border wall and why he has often sounded off on Iran's nuclear goals.
The intelligence community disagrees. At the Senate Intelligence Committee's worldwide threats hearing on Tuesday, FBI and CIA and other national security officials contradicted the commander in chief's foreign policy assessment. For instance, Director of National Intelligence Chief Dan Coats noted that ISIS still has "thousands of fighters" at large, while Trump has insisted the terror group has been defeated. Coats also explained that North Korea was still a nuclear threat, despite Trump's confidently stating the nation is taking steps toward denuclearization. Then, CIA Director Gina Haspel said Iran is complying with the guidelines under the nuclear agreement signed by President Obama in 2015, but Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from the accord last May, says Iran is still building nuclear weapons.
As other media noted, the intel officials did not once mention that we need a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. - Cortney O'Brien
- Townhall
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 at 5:40PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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So Ron, all these officials were confirmed by the Senate, who made very clear they the expected these officials to not be puppets of the President. They are not, which is just what you wanted. You people will complain about anything. Grow up.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 at 6:47PM
Steve Williams
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I know that all of these officials were confirmed by the Senate, that is more the reason for this question: "Why is Trump contradicting his Intel chiefs on the threats to national security?"
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 at 9:30PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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Of course Trump has every right and obligation to contradict his nominees if called for. Why wouldn't he Ron? He didn't nominate lemmings you know.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 at 9:49PM
Steve Williams
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STEVE, I 'am not talking about some "nominees," I 'am talking about his Department Intel Chiefs on the threats to National Security?"
Did you understand the question: "Why is Trump contradicting his Intel chiefs on the threats to National Security?"
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 at 10:30PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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Did Trump nominate these intel chiefs or not Ron? Did he nominate them knowing they would have an independent voice after being confirmed or not? What are you complaining about? Would you rather they had said what Trump wanted them to say? Or do you think the President should deny his own opinions to conform to his inferiors'? You just like to complain, there's no other explanation.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 at 11:16PM
Steve Williams
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Did he nominate them knowing they would have an independent voice after being confirmed or not?
MY REPLY: Steve, Trump Did nominate these intel chiefs, that is correct?
YOUR QUESTION: Did he nominate them knowing they would have an independent voice after being confirmed or not?
MY REPLY: I don't know.
YOUR QUESTION: Would you rather they had said what Trump wanted them to say?
MY REPLY: NO!!! Because this man TRUMP, is in denial and now he don't, want to believe his very own personnel hand picked, trusted hand picked professionals to continue to run those different departments with a higher standard of expertise, efficiency and knowledge to keep the American people safe from enemies foreign and domestic. Repeating TRUMP'S line will not fulfill that mandate.
YES, I rather see Trump agree with his professional in the fields especially when you don't know about a subject, that is the reason why, they are there? SO YES.... YES.... and YES!!!! Our President should listen to his front-line professionals.
YOUR QUESTION: Or do you think the President should deny his own opinions to conform to his inferiors'?
MY REPLY: Steve, Why would Trump use inferior people in these sensitive positions? That would show that Trump is not a strong World Leader.
You just like to complain, there's no other explanation.
As an American, I have a few questions and I see you did not come close to answering this one question: "Why is Trump contradicting his Intel chiefs on the threats to National Security?"
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 9:51AM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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Trump is contradicting his intel chiefs for the same reason I contradict you Ron. As far as my use of the adjective "inferior", it is a job ranking. Trump has the superior position and his intel chiefs have the inferior positions. The intel chiefs have a job to do because the President doesn't have time to do everything. That does not mean he HAS TO accept the opinions and advice of his inferiors. You probably have never operated in such an environment AND, you will complain about ANYTHING. But you never seem to remember your prior complains, like the fact that you in the past HAVE NOT TRUSTED Gina Haspel.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 11:25AM
Steve Williams
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My Question: "Why is Trump contradicting his Intel chiefs on the threats to National Security?"
YOUR REPLY: Trump is contradicting his intel chiefs for the same reason I contradict you Ron.
MY REPLY: Steve, As President of The United States of America, I would never ask you to be a department head, even if the title of that department was the title of "Dog Catcher." Now I agree with this statement of yours: The intel chiefs have a job to do because the President doesn't have time to do everything.
On that note alone, would tell you that you don't know all of the deep intricate details on foreign relations and to contradict your professionals in public, makes Donald J. Trump look weak as hell and a laughing stock as a leader to the rest of the world and that is exactly what Putin wants to see, the weakling of The U.S. Government and the downfall of democracy through-out the FREE WORLD.
Now Steve, was that really your answer to my question of: "Why is Trump contradicting his Intel chiefs on the threats to National Security?"
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 12:02PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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That was really my answer Ron. Donald Trump is the boss, the top dog. Which we will re-elect in 2020, which is all that matters.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 12:16PM
Steve Williams
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So you want Donald J Trump to be seen by the rest of The Free World as Weak, A Laughing stock, as a leader to the rest of the world?
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 12:40PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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Speak for yourself Ron, you have no idea what "the world" thinks. But maybe if the President does have a bad image it is YOUR fault. Maybe you should act like a patriot instead of just sitting on your laurels from almost 50 years ago.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 2:19PM
Steve Williams
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Your Statement: Speak for yourself Ron, you have no idea what "the world" thinks.
Steve, you really don't know what I know.
Globally, Trump is much less popular than his predecessor. Across 37 countries we surveyed in spring 2017, a median of just 22% said they have confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs. In contrast, 64% expressed confidence in President Barack Obama in these same 37 nations during the final years of his presidency.
And this shift in American leadership has clearly had an impact on how the world sees the U.S.: A median of 49% now give the U.S. a favorable rating, down from 64% in the Obama era.
Only a few countries have positive views of Trump. In just eight of the 37 nations in the study, roughly half or more say they have confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs. The president gets his best reviews in the Philippines, where 69% express trust in him (although this is down from the 94% Obama registered in 2015).
Trump also gets mostly positive ratings in sub-Saharan Africa, as did both Obama and former President George W. Bush. Russia, Israel and Vietnam also have confidence in Trump’s ability to handle international relations.
This is the history of Trump's effect on the World.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 2:38PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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How did you survey countries Ron? P.S. Did you see Nicole's update on the intel chiefs today? They were taken out of context, fake news.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 6:00PM
Steve Williams
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YOUR QUESTION: How did you survey countries Ron?
MY ANSWER: this is a recent survey internet search.
YOUR QUESTION: Did you see Nicole's update on the intel chiefs today?
MY ANSWER: NO...
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 7:42PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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Steve, do you see that LIE Trump told The American people? Is this what you voted him in office for? WOW!!!!
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 9:57PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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What I heard was Nicole lying up and down, left and right. To start with, the President said that the intel chiefs told him that the coverage of them was fake news. It wasn't Trump that called it fake news.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 10:44PM
Steve Williams
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I can see Trump saying: "Who are you going to believe, me or your LYING EYE'S? This man is an embarrassment.
Steve, did you know intelligence chiefs was giving testimony of threats to The U.S. under Orth?
Thursday, January 31st 2019 at 11:34PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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President Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that his top intelligence officials told him their Senate testimony was “totally misquoted” — even though it had aired live on TV. Trump also insisted that these officials applied the “fake news” label to media reports that they had contradicted key presidential warnings about global threats.
In fact, the president’s previous assessments of various foreign dangers were dramatically contradicted by leaders of the nation’s intelligence agencies in public testimony Tuesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Despite what Trump has said, officials testified that North Korea isn’t likely to give up its nuclear weapons, that the Islamic State has not been defeated and that the Iran nuclear deal is working. National Intelligence Director Dan Coats also said that U.S. national security is threatened by climate change, while Trump thinks that global warming is not real. None of the officials said there was a security crisis at the Mexican border.
Friday, February 1st 2019 at 11:20AM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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That's what I thought Ron, there was no oath administered at the hearing. That goes to show how easily you are duped by false statements like the one made by that airhead move-on girl. The intel chiefs were indeed misrepresented. Take them one by one in whatever order you want and I will prove it by comparing Nicole's "quote" with what was really said.
Friday, February 1st 2019 at 12:29PM
Steve Williams
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You really act like you don't know what the word TESTIMONY means: Testimony is a formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law.
a: a solemn declaration usually made orally by a witness under oath in response to interrogation by a lawyer or authorized public official
b: firsthand authentication of a fact : evidence
That was what The Senate Intelligence Committee was hearing first from Trump Top hand picked people at the top, The Top Intelligence Officials, before Trump heard something from FOX NEWS or that he did not like.
You can see those words in a thought bubble: "Who are you going to believe me or your LYING EYES."
Friday, February 1st 2019 at 6:18PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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Soundbites are not "testimony" Ron. There's nothing amiss with the testimony, it's the soundbites that are fake. Start with any soundbite you wish and I will PROVE how it is fake.
Friday, February 1st 2019 at 6:51PM
Steve Williams
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Now this report have sound bites, to give a summary of hours of testimonies which was televised, that millions of Americans watched and got a better understanding from the professionals about this countries security in the world.
Now Donald J Trump is now telling you, that you did not see the report, that you spent hours watching. this makes us A Laughing stock, in the eye's of the rest of the leaders of the world?
Now Steve, do you believe that the Media took The Top Intelligence Officials out of context, like TRUMP SAID?
Friday, February 1st 2019 at 9:43PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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Now Steve, do you believe that the Media took The Top Intelligence Officials out of context, like TRUMP SAID?
Friday, February 1st 2019 at 10:59PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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Yes Ron. Didn't you review my first example? Haven't I said I can prove every single one of your soundbites to be false?
Friday, February 1st 2019 at 11:25PM
Steve Williams
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OK!!! Let us start with what The officials told Congress on Tuesday that North Korea is unlikely to dismantle its nuclear arsenal and that the Iran nuclear deal is working, contrary to what Trump has claimed.
Friday, February 1st 2019 at 11:43PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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The testimony on Iran starts on page 29.
Friday, February 1st 2019 at 11:47PM
Steve Williams
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Did Trump tweet this: "Perhaps Intelligence should go back to school!" Why would Trump slam The Top Intelligence Officials Congress in public like this?
Friday, February 1st 2019 at 11:48PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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Because he believed the soundbites instead of reading the report submitted by DNI.
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 at 12:40AM
Steve Williams
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Chairman Burr, Vice Chairman Warner, Members of the Committee, thank you for the invitation to offer the United States Intelligence Community’s 2019 assessment of threats to US national security. My statement reflects the collective insights of the Intelligence Community’s extraordinary women and men, whom I am privileged and honored to lead. We in the Intelligence Community are committed every day to providing the nuanced, independent, and unvarnished intelligence that policymakers, warfighters, and domestic law enforcement personnel need to protect American lives and America’s interests anywhere in the world.
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 at 12:43AM
Steve Williams
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Trump would be one of the policymakers.
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 at 12:45AM
Steve Williams
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Central America
We assess that high crime rates and weak job markets will spur additional US-bound migrants from the Northern Triangle—El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras—while a political crackdown in Nicaragua dims that country’s already bleak economic outlook. Illicit migration northward from the region shows no signs of abating, despite increased messaging by governments to dissuade potential migrants and stepped-up immigration enforcement by Mexico. Many migrants apparently perceive that traveling in caravans on the journey north affords a certain level of security, and the decision to do so appears to result from a combination of individual motivation, encouragement from social media postings, and politically motivated efforts by some individuals and organizations.
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 at 9:22AM
Steve Williams
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So you don't think that Trump watched the full TESTIMONY at The Global Threats and National Security meeting with CIA Director Gina Haspel, National Intelligence Director Dan Coats, and FBI Director Christopher Wray were among the witnesses who testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on global threats to the United States. Director Coats offered an overview assessment of military, intelligence and cyber threats to the U.S. and its interests and allies. He also told committee members it was unlikely North Korea would give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities. Other topics discussed at the hearing included work to protect the 2020 election from foreign influence, Iran, and cyber threats.
So you think that Trump went off with these tweets.
Donald J. Trump@realDonaldTrump Jan 30
The Intelligence people seem to be extremely passive and naive when it comes to the dangers of Iran. They are wrong! When I became President Iran was making trouble all over the Middle East, and beyond. Since ending the terrible Iran Nuclear Deal, they are MUCH different, but....
or
Trump’s tweets were a direct rebuttal of the public testimony his top intelligence chiefs gave Tuesday morning while discussing the gravest threats to the U.S. worldwide. The attack also marked the latest example of Trump's public feud with the intelligence community. The president has often cast doubt on the official assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to aid his candidacy, and even publicly sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the matter.
Why would Trump pull this move in public against his own eye's and hears to the intelligence community? Why would he do that?
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 at 12:49PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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Trump's intelligence community did and they reported it in The National Security meeting with CIA Director Gina Haspel, National Intelligence Director Dan Coats, and FBI Director Christopher Wray were among the witnesses who testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on global threats to the United States, why would they LIE like that Steve?
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 at 2:03PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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"We in the Intelligence Community are committed every day to providing the nuanced, independent, and unvarnished intelligence that policymakers, warfighters, and domestic law enforcement personnel need en to protect American lives and America’s interests anywhere in the world."
They did their job Ron, relax. Maybe read their report if you are so concerned.
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 at 3:38PM
Steve Williams
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I agree The Intelligence Community did do their jobs, Steve. My question is: "Why would Trump pull this move in public against his own eye's and hears to the intelligence community? Why would he do that? "
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 at 7:42PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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The President is correct Ron.
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
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Jan 30
....a source of potential danger and conflict. They are testing Rockets (last week) and more, and are coming very close to the edge. There economy is now crashing, which is the only thing holding them back. Be careful of Iran. Perhaps Intelligence should go back to school!
44.5K
20.9K
88.6K
Donald J. Trump
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
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Jan 30
The Intelligence people seem to be extremely passive and naive when it comes to the dangers of Iran. They are wrong! When I became President Iran was making trouble all over the Middle East, and beyond. Since ending the terrible Iran Nuclear Deal, they are MUCH different, but....
Sunday, February 3rd 2019 at 9:50AM
Steve Williams
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That was not an answer to this question: "Why would Trump pull this move in public against his own eye's and hears to the intelligence community? Why would he do that? "
Sunday, February 3rd 2019 at 6:37PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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My answer Ron was, is, "THE PRESIDENT IS CORRECT."
Sunday, February 3rd 2019 at 9:49PM
Steve Williams
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Correct about Iran of course.
Monday, February 4th 2019 at 10:02AM
Steve Williams
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You do remember Iran Ron, as in the Iran Hostage Crisis?
Monday, February 4th 2019 at 10:03AM
Steve Williams
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NO!!! Trump is not correct but his intelligence community is.
"Why would Trump pull this move in public against his own eye's and hears to the intelligence community and the rest of the world? Why would he do that? "
Their are ways to disagree with the people who are your eye's and ears but that was not one of them. That quite frankly, was a Bull 💩 move on his part.
Monday, February 4th 2019 at 12:15PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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You don't even know what Haspel said about Iran. Listen to it again Ron and pay attention this time.
Monday, February 4th 2019 at 12:27PM
Steve Williams
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"Why would Trump pull this move in public against his own eye's and hears to the intelligence community and the rest of the world? Why would he do that? "
"Perhaps Intelligence should go back to school!" Trump tweeted at one point.
Hears what was said: "ISIS will continue to be a threat to the United States, and we're going to have to continue, as Director Haspel said.
So Steve, You don't think that ISIS is now and also will be a threat to the United States in the future? I do!!!
Here's What Haspel said:
"It is, of course, accurate that ISIS has suffered significant leadership losses and near total loss of territorial control. But of course they're still a dangerous, which is your point, and they're the largest Sunni terrorist group, and they still command thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria."
You don't believe that Steve?
Here's some observations from the report Steve:
"ISIS still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and it maintains eight branches, more than a dozen networks, and thousands of dispersed supporters around the world, despite significant leadership and territorial losses. The group will exploit any reduction in (counter-terrorism) pressure to strengthen its clandestine presence and accelerate rebuilding key capabilities, such as media production and external operations. ISIS very likely will continue to pursue external attacks from Iraq and Syria against regional and Western adversaries, including the United States. ISIS is perpetrating attacks in Iraq and Syria to undermine stabilization efforts and retaliate against its enemies, exploiting sectarian tensions in both countries. ISIS probably realizes that controlling new territory is not sustainable in the near term. We assess that ISIS will seek to exploit Sunni grievances, societal instability, and stretched security forces to regain territory in Iraq and Syria in the long term."
What Trump tweeted
"Negotiating (sic) are proceeding well in Afghanistan after 18 years of fighting. … Fighting continues but the people of Afghanistan want peace in this never ending war. We will soon see if talks will be successful?"
What Coats said
"We assess neither the Afghan government nor the Taliban will be able to gain a strategic advantage in the Afghan war in the coming war year, even if coalition support remains at current levels. However, current efforts to achieve an agreement with the Taliban and decisions on a possible withdrawal of U.S. troops could play a key role in shaping the direction of the country in the coming years."
Haspel: "Well, because we have inflicted severe damage on al-Qaeda in the (Afghanistan-Pakistan) theater ... I think, however, that all of us at this table would agree that it's very important that we maintain pressure on the terrorist groups that are there, and so if there were an eventual peace agreement, a very robust monitoring regime would be critical, and we would still need to retain the capability to act in our national interests if we needed to."
Steve, you disagree with this assessment? Trump Do.
Monday, February 4th 2019 at 12:53PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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We're talking about Iran Ron, not ISIS. Once again I see it's up to me to find the full testimony.
Monday, February 4th 2019 at 1:18PM
Steve Williams
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"Why would Trump pull this move in public against his own eye's and hears to the intelligence community and the rest of the world? Why would he do that? "
"Perhaps Intelligence should go back to school!" Trump tweeted at one point.
I am glad that you want to talk about Iran because I think Trump is wrong here to.
Iran
There were broad points of agreement between Trump and the intelligence heads on Iran, in the sense that both perceive the country as an ongoing and serious threat.
However, Haspel was not as negative as Trump is about the merits of the nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran. Trump decided to pull the United States from that agreement, but Haspel said Iran is still in technical compliance with it.
Haspel: "Yes, they are making some preparations that would increase their ability to take a step back if they make that decision. So at the moment technically they are in compliance, but we do see them debating amongst themselves as they've failed to realize the economic benefits they hoped for from the deal."
From the report
"We continue to assess that Iran is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons development activities we judge necessary to produce a nuclear device. However, Iranian officials have publicly threatened to reverse some of Iran’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action commitments — and resume nuclear activities that the JCPOA limits — if Iran does not gain the tangible trade and investment benefits it expected from the deal. ..."
"Iran almost certainly will continue to develop and maintain terrorist capabilities as an option to deter or retaliate against its perceived adversaries. ..."
"Iran’s regional ambitions and improved military capabilities almost certainly will threaten U.S. interests in the coming year, driven by Tehran’s perception of increasing U.S., Saudi, and Israeli hostility, as well as continuing border insecurity, and the influence of hardliners."
Now where is the answer to my question Steve? "Why would Trump pull this move in public against his own eye's and hears to the intelligence community and the rest of the world? Why would he do that? "
Monday, February 4th 2019 at 1:47PM
Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
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We should never have given Iran all that money back. What they did to our embassy and diplomats was unforgivable. America agreed and that is why Carter got the boot after one term. On the other hand Trump's tough stance on Iran is one of the reasons that he will get a second term. Gina Haspel is a career Federal now and will still be after Trump leaves office in 2025. She'll be fine Ron.
Monday, February 4th 2019 at 11:03PM
Steve Williams
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