President Donald Trump's reported blow-up at Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire last week was triggered by a warning to House lawmakers that Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign to get Trump re-elected, The New York Times reported Thursday.
As The Washington Post first reported, Trump complained Democrats would use the info against him — and was particularly angry Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who led the impeachment hearings against him, was at the briefing.
According to the Times, Trump's allies challenged the conclusions, arguing the president has been tough on Russia and strengthened European security.
The Times reported some intelligence officials viewed the briefing as a tactical error, arguing had Maguire aide Shelby Pierson spoken less pointedly or left it out, they would have avoided angering Republicans.
Trump announced Wednesday he was replacing Maguire with Richard Grenell, the ambassador to Germany and a vocal Trump loyalist.