10 things you need to know today: August 17, 2018

Ex-security chiefs defend Brennan and rebuke Trump, Manafort jurors ask judge to explain "reasonable doubt," and more

President Trump on the White House lawn
(Image credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

1. Retired admiral, 12 former intelligence chiefs defend Brennan, rebuke Trump

A day after President Trump revoked former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance, 12 former top intelligence officials criticized the move in a forcefully worded letter, and defended Brennan as an "honorable" public servant. Separately, the commander of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, retired Adm. William McRaven, said in a Washington Post op-ed that Brennan was "a man of unparalleled integrity." Trump on Wednesday accused Brennan of making "unfounded and outrageous allegations" against his administration. McRaven echoed bipartisan criticism, warning Trump his "McCarthy-era tactics" would not suppress critics. McRaven said he "would consider it an honor" if Trump would yank his clearance next so he could "add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency."

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Harold Maass, The Week US

Harold Maass is a contributing editor at The Week. He has been writing for The Week since the 2001 debut of the U.S. print edition and served as editor of TheWeek.com when it launched in 2008. Harold started his career as a newspaper reporter in South Florida and Haiti. He has previously worked for a variety of news outlets, including The Miami Herald, ABC News and Fox News, and for several years wrote a daily roundup of financial news for The Week and Yahoo Finance.