Trump Receiving First Classified Briefing Today, Critics Cringe

Cortney O'Brien | August 17, 2016 11:00 AM

GOP nominee Donald Trump is poised to receive his first classified intelligence briefing

in New York City on Wednesday. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence will give Trump a "fairly general" report, says Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

Retired Gen. Michael Hayden emphasized this latter point, noting the secret meetings will be "secret-light."

Many have voiced their concerns about Trump having knowledge of important national security intel, especially after he invited Russia to hack Hillary Clinton's emails.

the words "Trump" and "classified intelligence briefing" are so hard to write in the same tweet.
— Edward Luce (@EdwardGLuce) August 17, 2016

Others pointed out that hours before Trump's intelligence briefing, he said he "doesn't' trust" U.S. intel.

He receives his first briefing today. [shudders.] | Trump: I don't trust U.S. intelligence information https://t.co/2nAsmhqm5R
— Michael Hicks (@MikeH5856) August 17, 2016

As for the Democratic nominee, who as secretary of state mishandled national security intel on an unsecure private server, House Speaker Paul Ryan formally requested she be prohibited from receiving such briefings.