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Joe Biden said he does not believe that his predecessor, Donald Trump, should have access to any intelligence briefings due to his “erratic behavior”.
“I don’t think so,” said Biden in an interview on Friday night, when asked by CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell whether Trump should receive instructions.
“Because of his erratic behavior, unrelated to the insurrection,” said Biden, referring to the January 6 invasion of the US Capitol by Trump supporters.
Former US presidents traditionally receive some intelligence instructions even after they leave office.
Trump often denigrates the intelligence community and was not known to receive long briefings during his tenure at the White House. The Republican faces his second impeachment trial next week, this time accused of triggering a Capitol insurrection, calling on people to “fight” for the results of the election he lost.
Asked what his biggest concern would be if Trump received confidential information, Biden objected.
“I prefer not to speculate out loud. I just think there’s no need for him to have the … intelligence briefings. What is the value of giving him an intelligence briefing? What impact does it have, other than the fact that he can slip and say something? “Biden said.
The interview came at a time when Congress passed a budget that would pave the way for Biden to approve his $ 1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief project, although he admitted in the CBS interview that he did not expect his proposed salary increase. minimum for $ 15 per hour to be included.
“My guess is that it won’t be there. But I think we should have a minimum wage, alone, $ 15 an hour, ”said Biden to CBS.
The increase in the minimum wage could conflict with the Senate’s rules on reconciliation, a tool that Democrats plan to use to pass Biden’s coronavirus relief bill without Republican support in the divided Senate.
Biden said he would be prepared to negotiate the salary increase separately and that the increase could be implemented gradually.
“Nobody should work 40 hours a week and live below the poverty wage. And if you earn less than $ 15 an hour, you are living below the poverty wage, ”said Biden. The current federal minimum wage is $ 7.25 an hour.