Donald Trump responsible if America attacked while he skips intelligence briefings, former CIA director says

Mr Trump reportedly only receives one briefing per week

Responsibility for any attack forewarned by intelligence officials but ignored by Donald Trump would 'fall on the president', former spymaster and defence secretary Leon Panetta says (EPA)

Donlad Trump would be responsible for any attack on the United States while he skips daily intelligence briefings, a former CIA director has said.

Former spymaster and defence secretary Leon Panetta warned that responsibility for any attack forewarned by intelligence officials but ignored by Mr Trump would "fall on the president".

Both he and former British Prime Minister David Cameron emphasised Mr Trump should have daily intelligence briefings after he suggested he didn't need them.

"I have never seen a president who has said, 'I don't want that stuff.' Never seen it," Mr Panetta said at the Arab Strategy Forum in Dubai.

Mr Cameron said: "It won't last."

Mr Panetta added: "It can't last."

Mr Trump reportedly only receives one briefing per week, far fewer than his predecessors.

Defending skipping his briefings, Mr Trump told Fox News Sunday: "I get it when I need it.

"First of all, these are very good people that are giving me the briefings. And I say, 'If something should change from this point, immediately call me. I'm available on one minute's notice.'"

He added: "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."

Additional reporting by Associated Press