James Clapper: U.S. Government Is 'Under Assault' After James Comey Firing

[DonViejo]

Source: TIME Magazine



Hope Yen / AP
2:24 PM ET

(WASHINGTON) — Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Sunday described a U.S. government "under assault" after President Donald Trump's controversial decision to fire FBI director James Comey, as lawmakers urged the president to select a new FBI director free of any political stigma.

"I think, in many ways, our institutions are under assault, both externally — and that's the big news here, is the Russian interference in our election system," Clapper said. "I think as well our institutions are under assault internally." When he was asked, "Internally, from the president?" Clapper said, "Exactly."

Clapper spoke following Trump's sudden firing of Comey last week, which drew sharp criticism because it came amid the FBI's probe into Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible ties between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign.

Clapper said America's founding fathers had created three co-equal branches of government with checks and balances, but with Trump as president, that was now "under assault and is eroding."


Read more: http://time.com/4778510/james-comey-donald-trump-james-clapper-fbi/?xid=homepage

[dalton99a]

1. We have a traitor who is working hard to destroy our institutions.

[meadowlander]

2. And in many ways it's less Trump that's eroding democracy

than the Republicans in Congress. The Constitution foresees a President that is unfit for office. What it doesn't foresee is a Congress so blinded by its own agenda or so complicit in the coverup of the executive branch's misconduct that it refuses to remove a President who is a clear and present danger to the nation.

[pangaia]

4. ".. than the Republicans in Congress.."

THAT is the real truth and the REAL danger.

shtrump is just an ignorant, egotistical stooge, among other things.

Who knows.. if he could have gotten what he wants being a Democrat, he probably would have done that.... except of course for that correspondents; dinner... :&gt ))

Republicans are the traitors...

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

10. Good point.

[benpollard]

3. Republicans won't do anything about it

... and Democrats can't do anything about it.

Trump has been in violation of our Constitution since the day he took office. He and his family are profiting from his position as president, which violates the Constitution.

Remind Trump supporters of that fact when they claim to love our country.

[miyazaki]

5. What more does Drumpf and his Congress have to do to convince the dimwits in this country

that this whole administration are corrupt, anti-American assholes?

[FailureToCommunicate]

6. Our democracy disappearing in front of our disbelieving eyes.

[BigmanPigman]

7. Bannon is out of sight but very busy and active.

His plans to destroy worldwide democracies as well as our own from within are rolling along smoothly and according to his plan. We are royally screwed.

[Zorro]

8. Under assault internally by the entire Republican Party

That's been going on since Ronald "Government is the problem" Reagan was elected.

[Mr.Bill]

9. Am I the only one who was suspicious about the intentions

of someone who said government is the problem but wanted to be in charge of it?