Dan Coats: "We have been clear in our assessments of Russian meddling"

In response to President Trump's stunning refusal to back the U.S. intelligence community's assessment of Russia meddling in the U.S. 2016 election while speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said his agency “will continue to provide unvarnished and objective intelligence in support off our national security."

"The role of the Intelligence Community is to provide the best information and fact-based assessments possible for the President and policymakers. We have been clear in our assessments of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and their ongoing, pervasive efforts to undermine our democracy, and we will continue to provide unvarnished and objective intelligence in support of our national security."

The backdrop: Trump's performance Monday triggered widespread backlash from Republicans and Democrats alike. This comes days after the Justice Department indicted 12 Russians for hacking the DNC with the intent of interfering with the election.