In the summer of 2019, a highly classified image captured by a U.S. satellite of an Iranian rocket explosion was shared with then-president Donald Trump by senior U.S. officials. Despite concerns about national security, Trump posted the image on Twitter within an hour of receiving it. The public backlash led to questions about the potential endangerment of U.S. interests. As Trump seeks a return to the White House, firsthand accounts from former aides and advisers have shed light on his alleged mishandling and use of intelligence while in office.
Former aides and national security officials described Trump as someone who would erupt in anger when presented with intelligence he did not want to hear. They also revealed that Trump had a cavalier attitude towards classified information, storing and reviewing it in unsecured locations. These behaviors could have significant implications, especially as Trump is likely to receive formal government briefings again if he becomes the official nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
During his presidency, Trump displayed a lack of interest in certain parts of the world, such as Latin America, and often dismissed briefings related to Russia and Ukraine. Despite warnings from intelligence officials, Trump relied on unverified claims and frequently disagreed with the conclusions of the U.S. intelligence community. He rarely read classified reports, preferring verbal summaries instead. These tendencies may have impacted his decision-making and responses to international affairs, as seen in his public statements regarding Russia’s incursions into Ukraine.
Witnesses who interacted with Trump revealed that he would frequently bring classified documents to unsecured locations throughout his presidency. Concerns were raised about the mishandling of classified information, with reports of missing documents and boxes of classified materials stored in his White House residence. Some officials reported that Trump did not seem to respect the importance of classified information, leading to instances where sensitive intelligence may have been exposed or compromised.
Meetings with Trump to discuss intelligence matters were described as unpredictable and volatile, with Trump often becoming upset and derailing conversations. He would sometimes disregard positive information or react strongly to updates, creating tensions among his staff. While Trump engaged with intelligence briefings, he was known to be fact-free and prone to tangential discussions, limiting the effectiveness of the intelligence community’s efforts to inform and advise him.
One of the most troubling examples of Trump’s handling of classified information was his public posting of the image from Iran’s failed rocket launch. Witnesses revealed that Trump disregarded warnings about the potential risks associated with releasing classified information and opted to share the image online. This incident underscored concerns about Trump’s lack of regard for protecting sensitive intelligence and raised doubts about the impact of his actions on national security efforts. The revelations from former aides and officials highlight the importance of proper handling and accountability when dealing with classified information in high-level government positions.
