President Donald Trump has clarified his position on Russian interference in the 2016 US election, stating that he supports US intelligence agencies after earlier comments suggested he believed Vladimir Putin's denials.
Speaking at a press conference in Vietnam on Sunday, Mr Trump said: 'As to whether I believe it or not, I'm with our agencies, especially as currently constituted.' He drew a distinction between current and previous leadership of the FBI, CIA and national intelligence, adding: 'As currently led, by fine people, I believe very much in our intelligence agencies.'
The president had faced widespread criticism after saying on Saturday that Mr Putin was 'insulted' by allegations of Russian meddling, and that he believed the Russian leader when he said 'I didn't do that'. Mr Trump also described former intelligence chiefs James Clapper, John Brennan and James Comey as 'political hacks'.
US intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia attempted to sway the 2016 election in Mr Trump's favour. The justice department is investigating Russian interference and any links to the Trump campaign, with legal action already taken against several former aides.
Republican Senator John McCain called Mr Trump 'naive' for 'taking the word of a KGB colonel over that of the American intelligence community'. Adam Schiff, a Democratic congressman, tweeted: 'You know who else is insulted by it, Mr President? The American people.'
