Yet another member of Donald Trump’s Cabinet may soon be out.
Dan Coats, the Director of National Intelligence, angered the president last month when he told a Senate committee that he and other intelligence officials believe that North Korea “is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities.”
Coats is one of Trump’s longest-serving advisers, having hung on to his job for nearly two years.
CNN’s Christiane Amanpour quoted Trump’s longtime close friend Chris Ruddy, who has sometimes communicated Trump’s intentions, as saying White House sources believe “there is general disappointment of the president with Director Coats” and “a change of leadership” appears likely.
This is only the latest skirmish in Trump’s ongoing conflict with his own intelligence officials.
After Coats’ Senate testimony, Trump was harshly critical, tweeting that the U.S. relationship with North Korea is the “best it has ever been,” and adding that there is a “Decent chance of Denuclearization.”
The president added: “Perhaps Intelligence should go back to school.”
The day after Coats’ testimony, Trump called all the intelligence chiefs to the White House.