Biden tears into Trump for pushing the 'Russian narrative that America doesn't know what it's doing'
Before Vice President Joe Biden's time in office comes to a close, he's squeezing in some last words about President-elect Donald Trump. In an hour-long interview with reporters Thursday, Biden made it clear he does not approve of Trump's response to the unverified dossier making the rounds. "The one thing you never want to invoke is Nazi Germany, no matter what the circumstances," Biden said, referring to Trump's tweet Wednesday morning criticizing reports regarding the salacious information Russia allegedly has on him. "It's an overwhelming diversion from the point you're trying to make."
Perhaps even more concerning than Trump's seemingly offhanded tweets, Biden suggested, is his public criticism of U.S. intelligence agencies, which Biden called "one of the crown jewels of our national defense." "It plays into, particularly now, the Russian narrative that America doesn't know what it's doing," Biden said.
He noted that, overall, he's been "very impressed with the quality of intelligence we have gotten," and indicated that at least one person in Trump's administration has been "very receptive" to his advice. "[Vice President-elect] Mike [Pence] is significantly more informed about Russian conduct, potential intentions, and Putin's behavior than the president-elect is, based on what the president-elect says," Biden said.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Britain is struggling to stop the ransomware cyberattacksThe Explainer New business models have greatly lowered barriers to entry for criminal hackers
-
Greene’s rebellion: a Maga hardliner turns against TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
-
Crossword: October 26, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June