Veteran journalist Bob Woodward slammed the unverified dossier on President-elect Donald Trump’s alleged ties to Russia, calling it a “garbage document” that should never have been released.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Woodward said Trump has every right to be upset about it.
“I think what is under reported here is Trump’s point of view on it. You laid it out when those former CIA people said these things about Trump, that he was a recruited agent of the Russians, and a useful fool, they started this in Trump’s mind,” he told Fox News’ Chris Wallace. “He knows the old adage, once a CIA man, always a CIA man. No one came out and said those people shouldn’t be saying those things. So then act two is the briefing when this dossier is put out.”
He continued: “I’ve lived in this world for 45 years where you get things and people make allegations — that is a garbage document. It never should have been presented as part of an intelligence briefing. As you suggested, other channels have the White House counsel give it to Trump’s incoming White House counsel. So Trump’s right to be upset about that. I think if you look at the real chronology and the nature of the battle here, those intelligence chiefs who were the best we’ve had, who are terrific and have done great work, made a mistake here. And when people mistakes, they should apologize.”
Trump was thankful for Woodward’s comments and tweeted about the interview shortly afterwards.
Thank you to Bob Woodward who said, "That is a garbage document...it never should have been presented...Trump's right to be upset (angry)...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2017
about that...Those Intelligence chiefs made a mistake here, & when people make mistakes, they should APOLOGIZE." Media should also apologize
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2017
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