Tipsheet

President Trump Says he Misspoke With Putin: I Have Full Faith In America's Intelligence Agencies

Katie Pavlich
Katie Pavlich  |  July 17, 2018 3:35 PM

Speaking at the White House Tuesday afternoon, President Trump clarified remarks he made during a joint press briefing with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki Monday.

The president said he accepts U.S. intelligence analysis that Russia did in fact interfere in the 2016 presidential election through propaganda, while stating there was no collusion between the Kremlin and his campaign. He said his administration is doing everything possible to prevent Russian meddling in future elections. 

"I have full faith in our intelligence agencies," Trump said. "I accept our intelligence community conclusion that Russia's meddling in the 2016 election took place."

"We are doing everything in our power to prevent Russian interference in 2018," he continued.

President Trump has been under fire from Democrats and Republicans for his remarks Monday, when he equated the U.S. intelligence community with Putin.

After clarifying his remarks, Trump reiterated the progress he believes was made with Putin during a two hour long private meeting between the two leaders.

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"I enter the meeting with the firm conviction that diplomacy and engagement is better than hostility and conflict," he said.

In the meantime, a number of Senators are considering bringing a measure to the floor backing the U.S. intelligence community. They may also call Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to testify about the meeting between President Trump and Putin, which was held only with translators.