What Really Happened at Trump’s Intelligence Briefing

“As U.S. officials cast doubt on Donald Trump’s claim he read the ‘body language’ of intelligence officials at a recent briefing, NBC News has learned exclusive details of what unfolded in the room — one of Trump’s advisers repeatedly interrupted the briefers until Chris Christie intervened.”

“U.S. official pointed out that intelligence officers don’t give policy advice, so it would be inaccurate to say that Obama failed to follow the advice of the intelligence community. A second U.S. official said analysts are trained not to allow their body language to betray their thinking. Meanwhile, four people with knowledge of the matter told NBC News that one of the advisers Trump brought to the briefing, retired general Mike Flynn, repeatedly interrupted the briefing with pointed questions.”

“Two sources said Christie, the New Jersey governor and Trump adviser, verbally restrained Flynn — one saying Christie said, ‘Shut up,’ the other reporting he said, ‘Calm down.’ Two other sources said Christie touched Flynn’s arm in an effort get him to calm down and let the officials continue.”