Trump Contradicts US Intelligence; Says COVID-19 Came From Chinese Lab
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Source: Voice Of America
... "It certainly is unusual, and reflects the politically charged nature of the topic as the Trump administration tries hard to deflect attention from its own performance during the pandemic," said Paul Pillar, a former senior CIA officer who has been critical of the administration. "The statement appears to be a compromise that makes the IC [intelligence community] appear to be working objectively without pouring cold water on the White House's favorite rhetorical line about Chinese malfeasance," said Pillar, now with Georgetown University.
Others, however, see the statement as a smart move, given the onslaught of disinformation that has surrounded the pandemic.
"[It's] doubtful that this was spin or US disinformation," said Larry Pfeiffer, a former CIA chief of staff and former senior director of the White House Situation Room, who like Pillar has been critical of the White House's handling of intelligence matters. "I give the ODNI credit for stepping up to the plate to add some clarity to the situation."
The statement may also portend a greater public role for U.S. intelligence agencies going forward. "These are trying times," said Daniel Hoffman, a retired senior CIA officer. "There's a lot of disinformation, misinformation and ignorance."...
Read more: https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/trump-contradicts-us-intelligence-says-covid-19-came-chinese-lab
Trump wouldn't commit to agreeing with the statement. When pushed on why he felt confident the novel coronavirus originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Trump vaguely said, "I can't tell you that, I'm not allowed to tell you that."
When asked again if he saw evidence that the lab was the origin of the virus, Trump claimed, "Yes, I have," and pivoted to criticizing the World Health Organization.
Earlier in the day, the New York Times reported that Trump administration officials, led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have pushed U.S. spy agencies to find evidence linking the coronavirus with the Wuhan lab...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattperez/2020/04/30/trump-claims-to-have-seen-evidence-linking-coronavirus-to-wuhan-lab-after-intelligence-chief-says-virus-not-manmade/
Two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a range of options against China were under discussion, but cautioned that efforts were in the early stages. Recommendations have not yet reached the level of Trump's top national security team or the president, one official told Reuters.
"There is a discussion as to how hard to hit China and how to calibrate it properly," one of the sources said as Washington walks a tightrope in its ties with Beijing while it imports personal protection equipment (PPE) from there and is wary of harming a sensitive trade deal.
Trump made clear, however, that his concerns about China's role in the origin and spread of the coronavirus were taking priority for now over his efforts to build on an initial trade agreement with Beijing that long dominated his dealings with the world's second-largest economy...
https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-china/trump-threatens-new-tariffs-on-china-in-retaliation-for-coronavirus-idUKKBN22C3DS
sprinkleeninow
(20,133 posts)🚽 🔙 🔚
progree
(10,864 posts)Trump contradicts US intel by claiming he's seen evidence coronavirus originated in Chinese lab
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142483840
Ghost Dog
(16,881 posts)Does stovepiped confrontation with China help his chances in November?
still_one
(91,950 posts)again this time
Hopefully we are wise to this bullshit, and we get out the vote
duforsure
(11,882 posts)To promote his propaganda they are responsible for this countries problems from the virus, but the facts show he knew this was coming and did nothing intentionally, and continues stalling response and help with handling this now. He wants everything reopened to hell with the consequences so he can project his propaganda he's doing a great job , when in reality he's failing badly still. This is all backfiring on him now,,and will continue causing many , many more to run from him and the GOP.
Scarsdale
(9,426 posts)an ADULT in the WH, surrounded by intelligent, experienced people. The "gang who could not shoot straight" has caused so much disaster. Why do so many intelligent "former" agents show fear of speaking the truth to this con man in the WH? He has done so much damage. Kushner should go back to what he does best, his job as a slum lord. He has been in charge of so many things, and just like Don the Con, he has screwed EVERYTHING up. In a just world, he, Ivanka and their kids would be in the long lines of cars waiting for groceries to fed their family. I find it heartbreaking to see that. Nobody should have to go hungry, yet here we are. If only Donald had read the warnings, but golf and rallies were occupying his tiny little mind. I am beyond disgusted. Time to take the gloves off, and put the blame squarely where it belongs - on the incompetent failure in the WH and his gang of thieves. So far, he has killed thousands of people, destroyed the economy, created debt for the entire country. What else does he have in his bag of tricks, I wonder? The gop has shown once again that they are incapable of running this country, apart from running it into the ground.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)BlueMTexpat
(15,349 posts)divorced from the truth, the virus most likely did NOT come from a Chinese lab.
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)Previous thread: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142483840