donald trump s knee jerk defenses of vladimir putin. this former advisor also tells me that it s clear john bolton and secretary pompeo have not been able to breakthrough to the president on behalf of the intelligence community and adds the disdain for the intelligence community started during the summer of 2016 when he first started receiving classified intelligence briefing. this former advisor saying today, quote, it doesn t matter that the agencies are now led by his people. it s part of his ongoing war against intelligence. the response from democrats? former national security officials and even a growing contingent of republicans was harsh. here s senator john mccain who writes, quote, no prior president has ever a based himself more abjectly before a tyrant. not only did president trump fail to speak the truth about an adversary, but speaking for america to the world our president failed to defend all that makes us who we are. a republic of free people dedicated to the cause of