Trump slams intel officials, media over Flynn and Russia
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US President Donald Trump blamed intelligence officials and the media Wednesday for what he called the "very, very unfair" treatment of his ousted national security adviser and for "illegally leaked" information about reported contacts between his campaign advisers and Russian officials.
Trump's comments come amid a new swirl of controversy over his ties to Russia. The White House said Michael Flynn was forced to resign this week after misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other Trump aides about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to the US before the inauguration.
But in his first public comments on Flynn's firing, Trump appeared to side with his former aide, saying it was "really a sad thing that he was treated so badly." Trump is said to favor Vice Admiral Robert Harward, a former Navy SEAL, as his next national security adviser, according to a White House official. Harward met with top White House officials last week and has the backing of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
