Trump denies being informed of reported rewards on US troops

President TrumpDonald John Trump Four men accused of trying to tear down Andrew Jackson statue in DC Video shows retired workers signs of social estrangement ahead of Trump Tulsa rally: WaPo Biden criticizes Trump for failing to sanction Russia for the intelligence of the “rewards” of Afghan militants MORE Early Sunday morning he denied receiving information about Russian rewards reported on US troops in Afghanistan and asked the New York Times to identify its source.

“No one informed me or told me, @VP Pence, or the Chief of Staff @MarkMeadows about the so-called attacks on our troops in Afghanistan by the Russians, as reported through an ‘anonymous source’ by Fake News @nytimes “Trump tweeted.

“Everyone denies it and there have not been many attacks on us. No one has been tougher on Russia than the Trump Administration. With corruption Joe BidenJoe BidenBiden criticizes Trump for failing to sanction Russia for Afghan militants’ ‘rewards’ intelligence Why should Biden’s big advantage be concerned? Democrats White House undergoes dramatic change in staff MORE & Obama, Russia had a picnic, taking control of important parts of Ukraine – Where’s Hunter? It’s probably another fake Times job, just like her failed Russia Hoax. Who is your ‘source’? “He added.

… No one has been harder on Russia than the Trump Administration. With the corrupt Joe Biden and Obama, Russia had a field day and took over important parts of Ukraine: where’s Hunter? It’s probably another fake Times job, just like his failed Russia Hoax. Who is your “source”?

– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2020

On Saturday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also denied on Friday a Times report that Trump and Vice President Pence were informed of US intelligence findings that Russian military operatives offered rewards to linked militants. with the Taliban to kill coalition forces in Afghanistan, including the United States. troops, in the midst of peace talks.

“While the White House does not routinely comment on alleged intelligence or internal deliberations, the CIA Director, National Security Adviser, and Chief of Staff can confirm that neither the President nor the Vice President was informed of the alleged reward intelligence. Russian. ” McEnany said in a statement.

She said the United States “receives thousands of intelligence reports a day and is subject to strict scrutiny.” McEnany added that he did not deny that intelligence existed, but said the president was not informed about it.

“This does not speak to the merit of the alleged intelligence but to the inaccuracy of the New York Times story that erroneously suggests that President Trump was informed on this matter,” said McEnany.

The Russian embassy in Washington, DC, called the Times report “false news,” and a Taliban spokesman called the allegations “unfounded.”

The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Fox News, however, published reports that confirm the Times’ reports.

“We support our history, the details of which have not been denied by the president’s own national security agencies, “a New York Times spokesman told The Hill.

Presumed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said during a virtual town hall Saturday that the report represents a “truly shocking revelation” if true.

“Not only has it not sanctioned or imposed any consequences in Russia for this appalling violation of international law. Donald Trump has continued his shameful campaign of deference and self-degradation before Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinBiden criticizes Trump for failing to sanction Russia for intelligence of ‘rewards’ by Afghan militants The White House denies being informed of the rewards of Afghan militants The Russian intelligence unit offered rewards for killing coalition troops in Afghanistan: MORE report“The former vice president said.

Biden said he was “outraged” by the report, adding that the Trump presidency “has been a gift to Putin.”

“This is beyond pale. It is a betrayal of the nation’s holiest duty: to protect our troops when we send them in danger, “Biden said.

In February, the United States and the Taliban signed a landmark agreement aimed at ending the longest US war in Afghanistan.

Authorities signed the agreement in Doha, Qatar, to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. In return, the Taliban assured that it would not allow Afghanistan to be used by terrorists to attack the United States.

The Taliban have refrained from attacking US forces, but have intensified attacks on Afghan forces in the following months. US officials have emphasized that the deal allows the US military to come to the defense of its Afghan partners if they are attacked by the Taliban.

Earlier this month, US forces in Afghanistan carried out two air strikes against the Taliban.

This report was updated at 9:16 am