Let’s assume that President Donald Trump’s inept staff failed to “brief” him about the Russian bounties paid to the Taliban for killing American soldiers. Let’s further assume that Trump failed to read the President’s Daily Brief the day the subject was included. Let’s just assume he did not know. Fine.

But that excuse has expired. It’s been a week since every news organization in the country has credibly told the story. The administration has briefed allies and the Congress. The Intel community has spoken. Even GOP senators are concerned. And Trump still calls it a hoax.

And what is he doing? He hasn’t stood up and spoken to the American people. He hasn’t told the IC to get the facts. He hasn’t called his buddy, Vladimir Putin, and told him in detail the price Russia will pay if one American was killed and a bounty was paid. He has said absolutely nothing except “HOAX.”

We should all be outraged at this spectacular failure. I know I am.

Dave Burlingame, LTC (USA Retired)
Bristol