Electoral battles

Trump will soon be getting briefings from U.S. spy agencies. It might not go well.

Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. said last week that U.S. spy agencies have already begun planning briefings for Trump and his presumed Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, although neither is expected to receive an initial briefing before party conventions conclude in July.

In response to a question from the Daily Beast, Clapper alluded to concern for the handling of any secrets shared. The process is designed "to ensure that everybody gets the same information and that we do comply with the needs to protect sources and methods."

Clinton's ability to protect sensitive information has also come under sharp criticism, after the disclosure that she relied on a private e-mail server to communicate with subordinates while serving as secretary of state. But she has likely participated in thousands of classified briefings — unlike Trump who has never been privy to the government's most closely guarded secrets.