Santorum urges Trump to take more intelligence briefings

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) says President-elect Donald Trump should take more intelligence briefings, and treat them “seriously.”

“I would recommend that Donald Trump take his security briefs,” Santorum told CNN’s John Berman on “At This Hour” Tuesday. “I don’t know why he’s not. I haven’t talked to him about it.

“I’d very much encourage him to take those briefs and take them very seriously. This is a very important part of being president of the United States.”

Santorum said daily intelligence briefs are essential for Trump to understand and confront the many dangers facing America.

{mosads}“Hopefully at some point he’ll begin to get into that routine and understand how important it is for him to understand all the threats that are confronting this country,” said Santorum, who competed against Trump in the GOP’s presidential primaries.

“[It’s to] understand the nuances that come with a daily brief and get the inside information about what these organizations and individuals are doing around the world threatening the United States.”

Santorum exited the 2016 race in February and ultimately endorsed Trump.

His comments come a day after an attack in Berlin, in which a truck was driven into a crowded Christmas market, killing 12.

Trump has faced criticism after reports that he has turned down some briefings and has received them infrequently.

Trump earlier this month dismissed that criticism.

“I get it when I need it,” he said on “Fox News Sunday.” “I’m, like, a smart person.”

“I don’t have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years. Could be eight years — but eight years. I don’t need that,” he added.

A report published earlier this month said Trump receives only one intelligence briefing each week, an amount far below his predecessors.

President Obama last week stressed that the briefings were valuable for protecting the nation.

“It doesn’t matter how smart you are,” he said on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” “You have to have the best intelligence possible to make the best decisions possible.”