In Wide-ranging Q&A, Trump Touches on Russia, US Diplomats, North Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering the United States to slash its diplomatic staff in Russia, remarks likely to rekindle criticism of Trump's kid-gloves handling of Putin. Intended to be flippant or not, Trump's remarks on Thursday were immediately denounced by current and former U.S. officials who have served both Republican and Democratic administrations.