Former Intelligence Chief Dan Coats Had ‘Deep Suspicions’ Russia ‘Had Something’ On Trump, Woodward Book Says

Former Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats had “deep suspicions” that Russian President Vladimir Putin “had something” on President Donald Trump, journalist Bob Woodward wrote in his new book Rage.

Coats, who served as the top intelligence officials from March 2017 until August 2019, said he saw “no other explanation” for the president’s behavior towards Russia and that he “still questions the relationship” between the two leaders.

A recent Senate Intelligence Committee report “did not establish” that the Russian government had any compromising information on Trump, and although others have claimed otherwise, there is not sufficient evidence to back their claims.

Woodward’s book also references a conversation Coats had with former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

“There may come a time when we have to take collective action” to speak out against Trump because he is “dangerous. He’s unfit,” Mattis reportedly told Coats.

He later added in a separate conversation reported by Woodward: “The president has no moral compass.” Coats reportedly responded, “True. To him, a lie is not a lie. It’s just what he thinks. He doesn’t know the difference between the truth and a lie.”

Woodward, one of the journalists renowned for his work uncovering the Watergate scandal, has written several books and conducted interviews with top leaders and officials — including 18 with Trump himself.