Trump and his relations with the US intelligence community

From the very beginning Donald Trump has had trouble with the US intelligence community. As he once said he basically thinks he knows better than they do. So presumably he treats all the intelligence advice he receives with a pinch of salt. Now with the resignation of Dan Coats as director of national intelligence, overseeing America's 17 intelligence agencies, Trump has caused a right muddle over who is going to replace him. For once he wisely listened to all the criticism of his first choice, Republican Representative John Ratcliffe. He appeared to have selected him because he was an outspoken supporter. The only experience he had in the intelligence world was a relatively short time as a member of the House intelligence Committee. He had also made caims about past political achievements which bore little resemblance to reality when his claims were scrutinised by journalists. So apart from being a Trumpite through and through which would have suited the president, Ratcliffe had almost no qualifications for being the most senior intelligence chief in the country. He withdrew gracefully, and I suspect with relief, when Trump asked him to stand asde. Normally Dan Coats's deputy would be expected to take over as acting director while a permananet successor is found. But Trump has cast doubt on this legal procedure. He seems to want someone else to be acting director which is a terrific snub to Sue Gordon, the current deputy. Trump hs said he will only consider her as acting director. I guess the staff at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is seething. Coats leaves on August 15, so there will have to be an acting director to fill the gap while Trump hunts for a new director. This is very much Trump's style of leadership. He never wanted to be a part of the Washington establishment. So if he can find someone else to be acting director instead of Sue Gordon I'm sure he will. He claims to like her but clearly not enough to put her in the top job, either as acting director or nominated director. He will want a chum to be in both jobs. Perhaps to make sure he only hears the sort of intelligence he wants to hear. Or is that being too cynical? One person who has remained quietly in the shadows is the director of the CIA. Gina Haspel, ever since her appointment by Trump, has maintained a low profile. After a career undercover perhaps that is hardly surprising. But the director of the CIA is a public figure. I'd love to know more about what she thinks of the world right now. Perhaps Trump will appoint her as the next director of national intelligence. Now there's a thought.