After another series of attacks by President Donald Trump against the 17 agencies and organizations of the United States Intelligence community, politicians, pundits and even people outside the government questioned the implications of a President who disregards the evidence and advice of intelligence experts any time they contradict his rhetoric and false claims.
California Democratic Representative Ted Lieu offered some guidance to the President over reliable and unreliable sources of information.
He posted on Twitter:
"Dear [President of the United States]: Many people say you get your facts from fictional sources. We are concerned you may not understand the difference between our intelligence agencies and movies/entertainment shows. Here is a memo that explains the difference."
Dear @POTUS: Many people say you get your facts from fictional sources. We are concerned you may not understand the… https://t.co/RcOmIStnFr— Rep. Ted Lieu (@Rep. Ted Lieu) 1548957288.0
In the memo, Lieu cited the FBI, CIA and NSA as reliable and Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the film Sicario as unreliable. The reference to Sicario is based on the President's repeated citing of scenes from the film as the reality of human trafficking despite no actual documented cases to match.
@PA_MI_Resistor @RepTedLieu @POTUS Yes, he did. He described, scene by scene, part of Sicario and said that was ha… https://t.co/Q65x4AaPMw— Sherry Baker (@Sherry Baker) 1548963285.0
Here's the memo.
(@RepTedLieu/Twitter)
People found the memo hilarious and sad in equal measure.
@RepTedLieu @POTUS This is hilarious. And yet, not.— Devin Hermanson (@Devin Hermanson) 1548959580.0
@Duanewrites @RepTedLieu @POTUS He walks in the Tao of Twitter— BigSky 🌊 (@BigSky 🌊) 1548963621.0
@Crakeur @RepTedLieu @POTUS This can be made in Photoshop and a couple of Google searches in under 10 minutes. Settle down.— Mark (@Mark) 1548958602.0
@McLovinSJ @Crakeur @RepTedLieu @POTUS One of his interns can do this for him in 0.1seconds so Crakeur really needs to settle down.— ÄⓛⓦⓐⓨⓩÏⓕⓨ™🔱 (@ÄⓛⓦⓐⓨⓩÏⓕⓨ™🔱) 1548960840.0
@RepTedLieu @POTUS https://t.co/aqxgJFrxNJ— eastcoastcheesehead (@eastcoastcheesehead) 1548958062.0
@RepTedLieu @missmayn @POTUS Brilliant! With pictures so it’s easy to understand for @realDonaldTrump— Funky Pants 70 (jen brennan) (@Funky Pants 70 (jen brennan)) 1548959544.0
@DemelloKrystie @RepTedLieu @POTUS https://t.co/BEAR6Q9c7X— 🌊💐Aceysmommy🌺🌊 (@🌊💐Aceysmommy🌺🌊) 1548965924.0
@RepTedLieu @POTUS Ted Lieu tweeting FIRE!!! https://t.co/aN3tNMoppI— Jason [REDACTED] (@Jason [REDACTED]) 1548959118.0
Although some Trump supporters/conspiracy theory advocates felt Putin and a Hollywood film were more reliable than the CIA.
@devinher @RepTedLieu @POTUS It’s hilarious and sad that a congressman actually believes the CIA who has been overt… https://t.co/IkWs0kqybL— Tom Binnz (@Tom Binnz) 1548965383.0
However they were quickly corrected.
They raised the issue of the President's birther comments regarding President Barack Obama throughout the 44th President's two terms in office.
@TomBinnz @RepTedLieu @POTUS Yeah. You should trust the guy who told who Obama was born in Kenya and doesn’t unders… https://t.co/T0B1p91FZF— Devin Hermanson (@Devin Hermanson) 1548967017.0
And one person tried to put the entire thing into perspective. While the US Intelligence community made errors in the past, judging the entirety by selective events to support someone with a worse track record is illogical.
@devinher @TomBinnz @RepTedLieu @POTUS Heads of U.S. intelligence services have made some bad decisions and some go… https://t.co/8ZDHI7Rccs— Julie Hotard (@Julie Hotard) 1548968338.0
@devinher @TomBinnz @RepTedLieu @POTUS Well, perhaps I did exaggerate. T makes only 99% bad decisions. U.S. intel… https://t.co/jbxmYPSGop— Julie Hotard (@Julie Hotard) 1548976427.0
Some people offered additional suggestions for the "unreliable" sources.
@RepTedLieu @POTUS Don’t forget to add #AnnCoulter to the not to be trusted section.— frank n. barry 🗽🌊🌊 (@frank n. barry 🗽🌊🌊) 1548959936.0
@RepTedLieu @POTUS You forgot the Designated survivor series. I think he sees himself as Keifer Sutherland by some… https://t.co/v53OdEUwur— Robert Demers (@Robert Demers) 1548958091.0
@MechanicalOgre @NYMorningstar @RepTedLieu @POTUS As I watched this series I kept thinking to myself that this is h… https://t.co/6qw1QHWsxH— Alaina (@Alaina) 1548972368.0
@RepTedLieu @Unexpectedactiv @POTUS Also not a trusted news source https://t.co/NBIum9ilI3— Poppy Spruce (@Poppy Spruce) 1548975788.0
While one person offered a possible solution for the disconnect between President Trump and the intelligence community.
@RepTedLieu @POTUS If that doesn't do it, next time include crayons and have him "Circle the good guys, put an "X"… https://t.co/msHloSwlFC— Gia Sonata (@Gia Sonata) 1548964483.0