Pelosi criticizes Trump on Russia after intel briefing

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi strongly criticized President Donald Trump on Thursday after US intelligence chiefs conducted classified briefings for congressional leaders about intelligence assessments of Russian bounties to kill American troops.

"Of course, president should have been briefed. This is of highest priority," she said.

President Trump has called news reports about assessments a “hoax,” but hasn't directly addressed ir substance or wher US has or will respond to Russia.

" White House put on a con that if you don't have 100 percent consensus on intelligence," Pelosi said.

"We would practically be investigating thing if you had to start off 100 percent," she said.

"So don't buy into that."

On Wednesday, president told a network news reporter that re was consensus on intelligence assessments, and that it didn't rise to such a level that he needed to be told about it.

Top intelligence officials, including CIA Director Gina Haspel and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, conducted closed-door briefing for group of lawmakers dubbed “gang of eight” - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and top Republicans and Democrats on two intelligence committees.

Pelosi has called for additional sanctions on Russia.

"In our last Russian sanctions legislation, you may recall, we had a strong bipartisan bill that was to be sent to president, but White House said y wanted us to take out sanctions on Russia that pertained to intelligence and defense sectors," Pelosi said.

" very sector that is accused of possible threats on our men and women in uniform."

"We have to restore those. Whatever else happens of this, we must restore all of those sanctions and we must act upon m," she said.