Coats says 'not appropriate' to talk about his conversations with Trump on Russia probe

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico



By MADELINE CONWAY 05/23/2017 10:32 AM EDT Updated 05/23/2017 10:53 AM EDT

Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats declined on Tuesday to confirm or deny a report that President Donald Trump pressured him to publicly deny that there is any evidence of collusion between his campaign and the Russian government.

The Monday Washington Post story, which has since been confirmed by other news outlets, alleges that the White House sought to push back on the FBI’s ongoing investigation into Russia’s suspected attempts to meddle in last year’s election by seeking help from Coats and Michael Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency.

Asked whether the reporting was accurate by Sen. John McCain at a Tuesday Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Coats cited the need to keep his conversations with the president confidential.

“As the president's principal intelligence adviser, I'm fortunate to be able and need to spend a significant amount of time with the president discussing national security interests and intelligence as it relates to those interests,” Coats said. “We discuss a number of topics on a very regular basis. I have always believed that given the nature of my position and the information that which we share, it's not appropriate for me to comment publicly on any of that. So, on this topic as well as other topics, I don't feel it's appropriate to characterize discussions and conversations with the president,” he added.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/23/trump-conversation-dan-coats-no-comment-238717

[OldHippieChick]

1. Another mumbo-jumbo non-denial

denial.

[Grins]

11. "A Man For All Seasons"

Sir Thomas More:

"The maxim is "Qui tacet consentire": the maxim of the law is "Silence gives consent". If therefore you wish to construe what my silence betokened, you must construe that I consented, not that I denied.

[LOL Lib]

2. Sounds like he dropped to his knees and took the Trump loyalty oath.

I'm feeling pessimistic and angry. Sorry if my post seems too nasty...

[geek tragedy]

3. no, he's not denying it, which is about as close to confirming as it can get. nt

[FreepFryer]

5. +1 (n/t)

[LOL Lib]

10. ...

Thx! I'm a little hotheaded fiery red head.i get carried away sometimes!

[LOL Lib]

8. Ok thx!

It is so frustrating! I just want them to be a patriot and say yes this maggot is trying to be king of the US! I'm still a political noob and I'm impatient! I see these statements like coats made and all I hear is, "I'm thrilled to suck the president's toes!"

Thanks to everyone who gets where I'm coming from and keep me pointed in the right direction.

[sprinkleeninow]

14. A basic 'dirty blonde', lightened to platinum due to chronological,

now 'Frosty Ash' (thanx Wella!). Picked up a funky blue color by Feria recently, but dint do it yet.
Hay fiery red! Imma glad my mom's not here on earth to figuratively wash out my mouth w/ a bar of soap. She would chastise me, scolding, calling me by my full given name, like they're known to do when angered! (I was a grown female--"Wear a hat, put sox on!" Yaas, ma!)
I've needed to pull back lately, self-censoring so to speak--surprising me, myself and I regarding the baaaaddd words proceeding from my mouth.
Nincompoop and his entourage is responsible for my going into the ditch daily with my potty mouth. 😞

[LOL Lib]

16. Love it!!

Holding or pulling back has always been a struggle! It's much worse post Cheeto. I probably need to put a disclaimer and apology in my sig line until this insanity is over. I am trying to improve though. I promise!

[sprinkleeninow]

18. My other half sez my mouth is gonna get me into trouble.

I have never uttered curse words at or disparaging put downs to anyone to their face.
However, when the grocery store bagger puts bananas, bread and soft stuff on the bottom and heavy items on top, yeah I correct 'em!
You need not defend yerself! cheetolanders are deservedly asking for critique regarding their behavior.

Imma a 'golden oldie', transplanted New Englander; my personality is in mah genes! 😊

Now then, I sorta see why coats is tight-lipped presently. If it's beneficent regarding the investigation....
We shall see.

[emulatorloo]

13. Yes agreed.

[sprinkleeninow]

15. It's so obvious. To those of intellect. May they all be squirming. Shaking in their

so-called boots. Ya know the ones they all want everybody else to "pull up by their bootstraps".

They'll be coming to the end of themselves.
(Paraphrased from their Holy Scripture that they have perverted in understanding. What tables turnin'!)

[JanetLovesObama]

7. LOL --

I love it !!!!!!

[YOHABLO]

19. It's just that ''visual'' leaves me sick to my stomach.

[FreepFryer]

4. Makes sense. Mueller likely advised him to answer thus, to protect the FBI investigation. (n/t)

[PJMcK]

6. Important point

DNI Coats did not push back against former FBI Director Comey's testimony. Trump very likely did pressure Mr. Coats and that will come to light as Mr. Mueller's investigation develops.

I'm not fond of anyone in Trump's crew but at least in this case, Mr. Coats doesn't seem to have taken the Trumpian path of corruption.

[bucolic_frolic]

9. "You're being very inappropriate right now!"

This is how they try to assert their PRIVILEGED position and authoritarianism.
Thou shalt not question these Supreme Beings.

Barf!

[DefenseLawyer]

12. Senator Coats has always been a hack

There was no reason to think that a new job was going to transform him into the paragon of integrity.

[riversedge]

17. So, Coats is not denying the reports.

Coats not commenting on report Trump asked him to deny evidence of Russia collusion

http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/23/politics/dan-coats-response-congress-hearing/index.html


Anchor Muted Background

By Jeremy Herb, CNN

Updated 1:42 PM ET, Tue May 23, 2017
Coats won't answer Trump - Russia question

JUST WATCHED
Coats won't answer Trump - Russia question


Source: CNN
Coats won't answer Trump - Russia question 01:27

(CNN)Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats declined to comment Tuesday on the report that President Donald Trump asked him to publicly deny evidence of cooperation between his campaign and Russia during the 2016 election
"I don't feel it's appropriate to characterize discussions and conversations with the President," Coats told the Senate armed services committee in response to a question about the allegations from Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
But Coats did say that politicizing intelligence was inappropriate — and that he'd made that position clear to the Trump administration.....................


Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the panel, asked Coats hypothetically whether it would be appropriate if a president reached out to a director of national intelligence to make a request to deny evidence of cooperation.
"I made clear in my confirmation hearing for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, my role and the role of the director of national intelligence is to provide intelligence information relevant to policy makers so they can base their judgments on that," Coats said. "Any political shaping of that presentation for intelligence would not be appropriate. I have made my position clear on that to this administration and I intend to maintain that position."