Democrat (and ex-CIA): Trump is right, Democrats did spread the ‘British dossier’ – so did the intel community – Fox News
In an early morning tweet, President Trump slammed Democrats for spreading Russian propaganda, namely the broadcast of the controversial British dossier. Trump levied the accusation in response to the media firestorm over his sons admission of meeting with a Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign.
Trump is correct to say that many of my fellow Democrats have used the document as proof of Trumps collusion with the Russian government. For example, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., assured Americans that the document was absolutely true while Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., announced that he hoped to talk to the British spy who wrote it.
But is Trump right to say that its propaganda? Or are Democrats correct in believing that its absolutely true?
Heres what we know for certain.
But the most important, undisputed assessment comes from our former commander in chief and his intelligence leadership. Their view? The dossier wasnt and isnt worth our consideration. Yet why then did our intelligence community brief the document at all?
-- The nations intelligence leadership briefed both Obama and Trump on the dossier but made no judgment as to whether it was reliable.
-- When the intel chiefs briefed Obama on the document, he offered a skeptical response: What does this have anything to do with anything?
-- Obama took this suspicious view despite knowing that an investigation was being or had already been conducted on the dossiers contents.
-- Once the press leaked the unvetted document, Trumps angry response led then-CIA Director John Brennan to clarify that the dossier wasnt intelligence community information and gave it no particular credence.
There are many rumors about the report, of course. Some question the author and the dubious sources that he used to draft the document. Still others highlight that the dossier was allegedly paid for by Republican and Democratic politicians opposed to the idea of a President Trump.
But the most important, undisputed assessment comes from our former commander in chief and his intelligence leadership.
Their view? The dossier wasnt and isnt worth our consideration.
Yet why then did our intelligence community brief the document at all?
Former intelligence chief James Clapper claimed that he did so to give policymakers the fullest possible picture of any matters that might affect national security. After all, he continued, Americas politicians may hear about it.
To former intelligence officials like me, his statement simply doesnt add up.
Spies are trained in several core competences, with one of them being how to properly vet raw information before it gets published or briefed as intelligence. This process is incredibly important because the finished product goes to policymakers who in turn use it to decide issues of war and peace.
People live or die based on the quality of finished intelligence.
So what vetting was done regarding the dossiers allegations when Clapper and Brennan made their statements? The facts show that there had been some degree of investigation, resulting in no judgment.
Meanwhile, President Obamas reaction 'What does this have anything to do with anything? suggests that the proof was either inconclusive or nonexistent.
And yet the nations intelligence leadership thought it appropriate to brief an uncorroborated set of rumors that our current commander in chief was a secret Russian traitor.
Whats more, my former colleagues felt it appropriate to brief the alleged crimes to the alleged traitor himself Donald Trump.
If this leaves you scratching your head, it should. Its as though a district attorney decided to brief a criminal on the case against him because he may hear about it.
Ridiculous.
Its obvious that Clappers statement was a lie.
So whats the truth? The most charitable explanation is that he and others were deeply concerned by Trumps connections to Russia and felt it their duty to expose it. After all, a guilty Trump would never have let the facts get a fair hearing. That seems to be the rationale given by former FBI Director James Comey, who admitted to leaking FBI evidence in hopes of forcing the selection of a special prosecutor.
This explanation takes on greater weight given the avalanche of unauthorized disclosures of classified information in the past six months targeting President Trump and his advisors. A smart observer will recognize that these leaks are not coincidental but instead part of an organized effort exposed by the New York Times.
That suggests another possible explanation: partisanship. My Democratic party knew that its legacy and key legislative victories like ObamaCare were both at grave risk with a Republican-controlled Congress and White House.
Finally, many Americans Democrats and Republicans simply found Trump to be a distasteful person. The infamous locker room comments were a breaking point for many voters, including spies and law enforcement officials.
These three explanations are much more honest appraisals for why Clapper, Brennan, and Comey briefed the dossier. In short, they knew that by briefing the document, they would give life to allegations that otherwise had no or little support.
They also knew that, when their efforts eventually leaked, the smear of the dossiers allegations would leave the new president hobbled. He would struggle to move his agenda forward.
And they knew that politicians like Rep. Waters and Rep. Schiff would cling to the dossier and spread its uncorroborated accusations. It doesnt take a spy to understand that Capitol Hill cant help itself. Politicians need to make headlines to raise their profile and re-election cash.
In short, Trump is right that some Democrats have embraced the unfounded allegations of the British dossier. But theres a much bigger concern: Americas senior spies and law enforcement officers have used the dossier as a part of their own covert influence campaign.
Their reasons for doing so are irrelevant. No one Democrat or Republican should be allowed to subvert American democracy and rule of law. Thats most especially true of our intelligence and law enforcement communities. As Ive written previously, our spies and G-men cannot decide the nations political winners and losers.
Let me be clear: the investigation of President Trump and his associates must continue. Indeed, Donald Trump Jrs release of campaign emails should rightfully be of interest to Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and his team. Trump Jr. was transparent of his behavior only after he got caught by the Times, adding suspicion to the fears of Trump / Russia collusion.
But as Mueller wrestles with Trumps behavior and that of his team, he must also address the actions of senior officials like Clapper, Brennan, and Comey. Their sin is no less grave than that which is alleged of Trump.
Bryan Dean Wright is a former CIA ops officer and member of the Democratic Party. He contributes on issues of politics, national security, and the economy. Follow him on Twitter @BryanDeanWright.
- Democrat who says he stands for underdogs will be one in quest to unseat Hal Rogers - Kentucky Lantern - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Rep. McCollum Joins Every Senate and House Democrat in Opposing the One Big Ugly Bill - Congresswoman Betty McCollum (.gov) - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Mayors Fourth of July celebration - River Valley Democrat-Gazette - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Democrat Jeffries Sets Record In Speech Delaying House Vote on Trump Bill - Yahoo Finance - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Lucas: Trump should demand the unconditional surrender of the Democrat Party - Boston Herald - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- There will be consequences for GOP in 2026 after passing Trump's bill, says House Democrat - NBC News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Appeals Court Lets Trump Remove Another Democrat From Independent Agency - The New York Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Democrat Warned To 'Avoid Vulgar Speak' After Ripping Trump-Backed Bill - Newsweek - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Democrat sets record with 8.5-hr speech before vote on Trump bill - Times of India - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Pennsylvania House Democrat on Fetterman: If you dont want to be here, leave - Politico - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat Colin Allred announces he will run for U.S. Senate again - Houston Chronicle - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat Colin Allred is running again for US Senate in Texas - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Dan Haar: CT's top Democrat on how the party outside of New York should respond to Zohran Mamdani - CT Insider - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Geoff Duncan weighs whether to run for Georgia governor - as a Democrat - AJC.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat Rips Fettermans Beach Gripe: If You Dont Want to Be Here, Leave - Yahoo - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 2nd Democrat announces campaign to unseat GOP congressman - Grand Haven Tribune - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat Colin Allred announces campaign for Cornyn's seat, O'Rourke testing the waters - fox4beaumont.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Longtime Pa. Democrat says he wont run for reelection to Congress - PennLive.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat McMorrow to report $2M haul for Senate bid - The Oakland Press - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Pat Williams, Last Montana Democrat to Serve in the House, Dies at 87 - The New York Times - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Democrats fight to exercise their oversight duties - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Democrat Billie Butler wins special election to represent Somersworth and Rollinsford in NH House - New Hampshire Bulletin - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Democrat Wyden presses Bessent to commit to US sanctions on Russia - Reuters - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- House Democrat demands VA disclose any spyware, AI installed on agency computers as part of DOGE initiative - Stars and Stripes - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Zohrans Next Challenge: Another Disgraced (Former) Democrat - Mother Jones - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Trump wins over lifelong Democrat with 'big, beautiful bill' and more top headlines - Fox News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Rep. Robert Garcia elected top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee - NBC News - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Rep. Robert Garcia elected top Democrat on Oversight panel, setting new path for partys opposition - Federal News Network - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Hear heated exchange between Pam Bondi and Democrat over possible foreign influence on Trump - CNN - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- 88-Year-Old House Democrat's Staff Walks Back Comments on Reelection Bid - Newsweek - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Top Democrat says Trump strikes on Iran a 'massive, massive gamble' - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- As a Seventy-Two-Year-Old Democrat, Am I Too Young to Run for Congress? - McSweeneys Internet Tendency - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Democrat AGs push to move OB-GYN tests out of Texas - Dallas News - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Robert Garcia earns key backing for top Democrat on House Oversight Committee - Washington Examiner - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Top House Intel Democrat warns 'we have no idea' yet whether U.S. strikes were successful - CNN - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Senior Democrat blasts Trump for not seeking congressional authorization for Iran strike - The Times of Israel - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- The Star Democrat's top 10 online stories this week - The Star Democrat - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Robert Garcia is a young Democrat with an old-style approach to moving up the House ladder - Politico - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Democrat Party reaches consensus to remain in government coalition - Nation Thailand - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Democrat Party affirms continued coalition participation, urges review of ties with Cambodia - Nation Thailand - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Democrat Sen. Tammy Duckworth says the GOPs Big Beautiful Bill will negatively affect the healthcare - 25 News Now - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Democrat Josh Weil Running for Senate in Bid to Unseat Ashley Moody - FlaglerLive - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Oklahoma Democrat Kalyn Free Pushed for New DNC Elections And She Wants a Seat at the Table - Oklahoma Watch - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- David Jolly, a Trump critic and former GOP congressman, to run for Florida governor as a Democrat - AP News - June 5th, 2025 [June 5th, 2025]
- Colorado's Jason Crow named ranking Democrat on bipartisan House cartel task force targeting fentanyl - ColoradoPolitics.com - June 5th, 2025 [June 5th, 2025]
- Democrat announces run against Ernst after her 'We're all going to die' comments - ABC News - June 5th, 2025 [June 5th, 2025]
- Some federal workers lost health coverage they had paid for. A Democrat wants answers - NPR - June 5th, 2025 [June 5th, 2025]
- Kentucky Senate Democrat switches parties to GOP in major blow to Dem Gov Andy Beshear - Fox News - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Long-time Kentucky Democrat switching parties - The Hill - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- No, were not doing that: Democrat voter rebukes centrists ahead of primary vote - CNN - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Hannah Pingree exemplifies Democrat rule in Augusta | Letter - The Portland Press Herald - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Meet Anthony Moor, the Greenwich Democrat looking to be the next first selectman - Greenwich Time - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- People know 'they're going to die': Democrat hits GOP senator over viral town hall exchange - USA Today - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Arkies in the Beltway | Week of June 1, 2025 - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Nayib Bukele Went All In on Trump. One Democrat Still Wants to Work With Him. - Politico - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Long-time Kentucky Democrat switching parties - FOX 56 News - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Do we have to play this game? - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Little Rocks high-end home sales for April 28-May 2: Six of the most expensive properties - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Lebanon Democrat finds her footing in Concord - Valley News - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Democrat demands info on Trump plan to shift national parks to states - E&E News by POLITICO - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- House Democrat campaign chair says her party is 'on offense' in the 2026 midterms battle to win back majority from GOP - Fox News - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Maryland Democrat says he was denied access to Abrego Garcia in El Salvador - USA Today - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Meet the former Democrat leading Trumps charge against 10 universities - Politico - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Local democrat to host political Facebook live, What the Heck is Happening in Ohio - WKBN.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Neon Raspberry Art House in Occidental wants everyone to feel welcome - The Press Democrat - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Opinion | Poll: Trump Has Higher Approval Rating in New Jersey Than Democrat Governor - WSJ - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- House Democrat withdraws Trump impeachment bill that angered party leaders - ABC News - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Democrat Spanberger: No right-to-work repeal in Virginia, but maybe reform - The Washington Post - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Balancing Trump criticism and bipartisanship, Democrat Jon Ossoff walks a fine line in Georgia - WABE - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Democrat Jared Golden's only tariff fear: That Trump will back down - Axios - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Trump sued by Democrat he removed from US civil rights agency - Reuters - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Ohio Democrat introduces bill to prevent state money from going to sports teams with 'losing record' - Ohio Capital Journal - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Owners of popular Petaluma beer garden take over former Bear Republic taproom in Rohnert Park - The Press Democrat - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Kornacki: Wisconsin amendment suggests Democrat voters 'aren't with their leaders' on voter ID issue - NBC News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- House Democrat says he'd vote to protect Trump's tariff plan, worries White House will stand down - Fox News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- President Trump has a new nickname for this Democrat, and its watermelon head - MassLive - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Whats the Future of the Democrat Party in North Dakota? - The Dakotan - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- This Democrat just nabbed a big progressive endorsement in the race for N.J. governor - NJ.com - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Democrat Talking As Long as He's 'Physically Able' to Protest Trump - Newsweek - April 1st, 2025 [April 1st, 2025]
- Pamela Stevenson, the top Democrat in the Kentucky House, launches campaign for the US Senate - AP News - April 1st, 2025 [April 1st, 2025]