any reason why it would be. i have great confidence in my intelligence people, but, uh, i will tell you that president putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial. >> even one of the president's most steadfast supporters was stunned today. newt gingrich described the comments as the most serious mistake of his presidency. late this afternoon, the director of national intelligence, dan cote, whose judgment the president went against sent out this statement. the role of the intelligence committee is to provide -- we have been clear in our assess. s of the russian meddling in the the 2016 election and their -- sources tell nbc news coates statement was not approved by the traveling white house before its release. while trump may have doubts about the investigation and the indictment of 12 russian amts, there was also this statement