Is Donald Trump an intelligence threat?
Presidential nominees typically get classified briefings. Should Trump?


Here's a paradox: Donald Trump faces trial for mishandling national secrets. But as the GOP's presidential nominee, he will be eligible for regular intelligence briefings by the federal government in the months leading up to November's election. The Biden administration is sticking with that "normally humdrum" tradition, Politico said, even though the briefings are "fraught with unusual risk this year due to the pending court case." Said one former intelligence official: "I'd be afraid about giving him stuff."
It's not just his history of cavalier treatment of classified docs, The Guardian said. Trump's "bromance" with Russian leader Vladimir Putin also raises concerns in the intelligence community. "I think Trump and Putin are natural bedfellows," said Douglas London, a retired CIA operations officer. That is why some Democrats are sounding the alarm. "There is literally nothing about Trump that suggests he would put our country's interests ahead of his own interests under almost any circumstances," said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
One of Trump's former underlings is urging the White House to reconsider. "I don't think it makes any sense,” said John Bolton, who served as national security adviser before a highly publicized break with Trump. He was "perplexed" by the Biden administration's willingness to provide the briefing to Trump.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What did the commentators say?
"Trump is an anti-American, debt-ridden, unstable man who has voiced his open support for violent seditionists," Tom Nichols said at The Atlantic. For most Americans seeking security clearances to view classified information, the former president's history would be a deal-breaker. Trump has already proven he "cannot be trusted with classified information." This is why President Joe Biden's administration should skip the tradition of providing classified briefings to presidential nominees. "If Trump were a federal employee, he'd have likely already been stripped of his clearances and escorted from the building."
"If there's anyone in American politics less deserving of access to sensitive security information, I can't think of them," Steve Benen said at MSNBC. Trump has already spent years "carelessly and recklessly sharing sensitive national security information" — remember when he revealed secret info to Russian officials during an Oval Office visit in 2017? That makes a fresh round of briefings an "exceedingly dangerous idea."
"This decision is one of many where Biden is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't," Frederick Baron said at CNN. If briefings must be given, it should be with strict protocols in place — perhaps briefing Trump alone, without staff members, so that "if leaks occur he will be pinpointed as the obvious source." But it's important for Biden to uphold norms and traditions, even where Trump is concerned. Preserving American democracy means upholding the "balanced standards that have long sustained our system of government." And that means letting Trump have the briefings.
What next?
Trump doesn't seem to be doing much to allay concerns. His campaign is hiring Paul Manafort, The Washington Post said — the former lobbyist and Trump adviser whom a 2020 Senate report called a "grave counterintelligence threat" because of Manafort's links to a Russian spy. (Trump pardoned Manafort in 2020 for convictions on "money laundering, obstruction and foreign lobbying violations.") Manafort would give other prospective presidents pause, but the move would be "characteristically defiant" for Trump.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Some officials are urging the intelligence community to hold back a little bit, The Hill said. "I have to hope, and knowing the Intelligence Community as I do, that they will dumb down the briefing for Donald Trump," said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). Why? "He's been so reckless."
In the meantime, the documents case against Trump isn't going away. Judge Aileen Cannon last week rejected an attempt by the former president's attorneys to dismiss the charges, said NPR. But there's a good chance that an actual trial in the case might be delayed until after the November election — by which time Americans will have decided if Trump gets to continue receiving classified briefings.
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
Air strikes in the Caribbean: Trump’s murky narco-war
Talking Point Drug cartels ‘don’t follow Marquess of Queensberry Rules’, but US military air strikes on speedboats rely on strained interpretation of ‘invasion’
-
A tour of Sri Lanka’s beautiful north
The Week Recommends ‘Less frenetic’ than the south, this region is full of beautiful wildlife, historical sites and resorts
-
Crossword: September 14, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Air strikes in the Caribbean: Trump’s murky narco-war
Talking Point Drug cartels ‘don’t follow Marquess of Queensberry Rules’, but US military air strikes on speedboats rely on strained interpretation of ‘invasion’
-
Calls for both calm and consequences follow Kirk killing
TALKING POINTS The suspected assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk has some public figures pleading for restraint, while others agitate for violent reprisals
-
Why does Donald Trump keep showing up at major sporting events?
Today's Big Question Trump has appeared at the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and other events
-
‘Democracy is under threat globally’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Former top FBI agents sue, claiming Trump purge
Speed Read The agents alleged they were targeted by a “campaign of retribution”
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump