Former US intelligence chief Avril Haines: ‘Trump trusts his gut more than the expertise’ - Financial Times

Subscribe to read

* Sign In
* Subscribe

Open side navigation menuOpen search bar

SubscribeSign In

Popular Searches

* What is the latest news on the UK economy?
* Western support for Ukraine
* How will AI be regulated?
* UK inflation vs the world
* How will the UK economy fare in 2026?

* Home
* World

Sections

+ World Home
+ Middle East war
+ Global Economy
+ UK
+ US
+ China
+ Africa
+ Asia Pacific
+ Emerging Markets
+ Europe
+ War in Ukraine
+ Americas
+ Middle East & North Africa

Most Read

+ The cheap new AI model taking aim at OpenAI and Anthropic
+ David Beckham takes $51mn dividend as World Cup deals lift earnings
+ Former US spymaster Avril Haines: a third world war is ‘plausible’
+ Maga base recoils as Trump goes all-in on AI
+ Pomp prevails over substance as Trump hosts Xi
* US

Sections

+ US Home
+ US Economy
+ US Companies
+ US Politics & Policy

Most Read

+ The cheap new AI model taking aim at OpenAI and Anthropic
+ David Beckham takes $51mn dividend as World Cup deals lift earnings
+ Former US spymaster Avril Haines: a third world war is ‘plausible’
+ Maga base recoils as Trump goes all-in on AI
+ Pomp prevails over substance as Trump hosts Xi
* Companies

Sections

+ Companies Home
+ Energy
+ Financials
+ Health
+ Industrials
+ Media
+ Professional Services
+ Retail & Consumer
+ Tech Sector
+ Telecoms
+ Transport

Most Read

+ The cheap new AI model taking aim at OpenAI and Anthropic
+ Manchester City found guilty of breaching Premier League rules
+ David Beckham takes $51mn dividend as World Cup deals lift earnings
+ Bill Gates warns AI could cause ‘a billion deaths’
+ Wall Street boutiques balk at Saudi Arabia’s HQ rules
* Tech

Sections

+ Tech Home
+ Artificial intelligence
+ Semiconductors
+ Cyber Security
+ Social Media

Most Read

+ The cheap new AI model taking aim at OpenAI and Anthropic
+ Bill Gates warns AI could cause ‘a billion deaths’
+ Can quantum turn ‘magic’ into money?
+ Oracle on the hook to pay data centre investors even if site has no electricity
+ The AI agent revolution has moved a big step closer
* Markets

Sections

+ Markets Home
+ Alphaville
+ Markets Data
+ Private markets
+ Equities
+ Bonds
+ Currencies
+ Commodities
+ Crypto
+ Monetary Policy Radar
+ Wealth Management
+ Moral Money
+ ETF Hub
+ Asset management

Most Read

+ US bond sell-off pushes long-term yields to highest since 2004
+ Bond ructions point to new danger zone in markets
+ Soaring bond yields ‘not even close’ to cooling red-hot US economy, investors say
+ US mortgage rates breach 7% as affordability pressures mount
+ Blackstone’s top private equity executive prepares exit for possible public service move
* Climate
* Opinion

Sections

+ Opinion Home
+ Columnists
+ The FT View
+ The Big Read
+ Lex
+ Obituaries
+ Letters

Most Read

+ Should an iced coffee really cost you the job?
+ Bond ructions point to new danger zone in markets
+ You want honesty, Andy? Britain is out of easy options
+ The AI agent revolution has moved a big step closer
+ The delicate bargain of the British monarchy
* Lex
* Work & Careers

Sections

+ Work & Careers Home
+ Business School Rankings
+ Business Education
+ Europe's Start-Up Hubs
+ Entrepreneurship
+ Recruitment
+ Business Books
+ Business Travel
+ Working It

Most Read

+ Should an iced coffee really cost you the job?
+ Curator’s pick: Grant Wood’s ‘American Gothic’ at the Art Institute of Chicago
* Life & Arts

Sections

+ Life & Arts Home
+ Arts
+ Books
+ Food & Drink
+ FT Magazine
+ House & Home
+ Style
+ Puzzles
+ Travel
+ FT Globetrotter

Most Read

+ Former US spymaster Avril Haines: a third world war is ‘plausible’
+ The man who has been walking home since 1998
+ Oilman Scott Sheffield: ‘We’re warming. I see it here in this ranch’
+ Swan Song: Diana, My Sister — Charles Spencer’s vengeful biography
+ Alvaro Barrington talks taste
* How To Spend It
* Stocks Game

MenuSearch

* Home
* World
* US
* Companies
* Tech
* Markets
* Climate
* Opinion
* Lex
* Work & Careers
* Life & Arts
* How To Spend It
* Stocks Game

Financial Times

SubscribeSign In

Popular Searches

* What is the latest news on the UK economy?
* Western support for Ukraine
* How will AI be regulated?
* UK inflation vs the world
* How will the UK economy fare in 2026?

Former US intelligence chief Avril Haines: ‘Trump trusts his gut more than the expertise’

Subscribe to unlock this article

Try unlimited access

Only $1 for 4 weeks

Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial.

Keep reading for $1

* Global news & analysis
* Expert opinion
* FT App on Android & iOS
* FT Edit app
* First FT: the day’s biggest stories
* 20+ curated newsletters
* Follow topics & set alerts with myFT
* FT Videos & Podcasts
* 10 additional monthly gift articles to share
* Lex: FT’s flagship investment column
* 15+ Premium newsletters from leading experts
* FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition

Explore more offers.

FT Edit

$49 a year

Get 2 months free with an annual subscription at was $59.88 now $49. Access to eight surprising articles a day, hand-picked by FT editors. For seamless reading, access content via the FT Edit page on ft.com and receive the FT Edit newsletter.

Select

* FT Edit: Access on iOS and web

Standard Digital

Save over 40%

was $540 now $299 for your first year.

Save now on essential digital access to trusted FT journalism on any device. Savings based on annualised monthly price.

Select

* Global news & analysis
* Expert opinion
* FT App on Android & iOS
* FT Edit: Access on iOS and web
* FirstFT: the day's biggest stories
* 20+ curated newsletters
* Follow topics & set alerts with myFT
* FT Videos & Podcasts
* 10 monthly gift articles to share

Premium Digital

Complete coverage

$75 per month

Complete digital access with exclusive insights and industry deep dives on any device.

Select

* Global news & analysis
* Expert opinion
* FT App on Android & iOS
* FT Edit: Access on iOS and web
* FirstFT: the day's biggest stories
* 20+ curated newsletters
* Follow topics & set alerts with myFT
* FT Videos & Podcasts
* 20 monthly gift articles to share
* Lex: FT's flagship investment column
* 15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts
* FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition

Check whether you already have free access via your university or organisation.

Terms & Conditions apply

Explore our full range of subscriptions.

For individuals

Discover all the plans currently available in your country

DigitalPrintPrint + Digital

For multiple readers

Digital access for organisations. Includes exclusive features and content.

FT Professional

!Over one million readers pay to read the Financial TimesFind out why

Useful links

Support

Help CentreContact UsAbout UsAccessibilityCareersSuppliers

Legal & Privacy

Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyManage CookiesCopyrightSlavery Statement & Policies

Services

Share News Tips SecurelyIndividual SubscriptionsProfessional SubscriptionsRepublishingExecutive Job SearchAdvertise with the FTFollow the FT on XFT ChannelsFT Schools

Tools

PortfolioFT AppFT Digital EditionFT EditAlerts HubBusiness School RankingsSubscription ManagerNews feedNewslettersCurrency Converter

Community & Events

FT Live EventsFT ForumsFT Leaders Academy

More from the FT Group

Markets data delayed by at least 15 minutes. © THE FINANCIAL TIMES LTD 2026. FT (Financial Times) and ‘Financial Times’ are trademarks of The Fina