Clapper On Trump: "Our Institutions Are Under Assault"; calls on GOP to "speak up"
WASHINGTON ― Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Sunday that our institutions are under assault internally by President Donald Trump, who is eroding the American system of checks and balances on political power.
The developments of the past week are very bothersome, very disturbing to me, Clapper told CNNs Jake Tapper. I think in many ways, our institutions are under assault externally and thats the big news here, is the Russian interference in our election system. And I think as well, our institutions are under assault internally.
Tapper asked Clapper if internally indicated Trump. Exactly, Clapper responded.
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I feel as though thats under assault and is eroding, Clapper said, adding that congressional Republicans should publicly condemn the presidents recent activities. I hope theyll speak up, he said.
Clapper lied to Congress in 2013 about the Obama administrations mass surveillance activities, infuriating some Democrats and libertarian-leaning Republicans, some of whom called for the government to pursue perjury charges against him.
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