President Trump is getting a lot of backlash for firing FBI Director James Comey in the midst of an investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. Top Democrats like Chuck Schumer say the administration was getting concerned about the investigation getting too close to home. They are considering blocking the president's new FBI nominee until he appoints a special prosecutor to take over the Russia probe. Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper joined the chorus of critics Sunday, accusing the president of tainting U.S. institutions in an appearance on CNN.
"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 -- and I think as well our institutions are under assault internally," Clapper told anchor Jake Tapper on CNN's "State of the Union."
Pressed if he meant US institutions were under assault internally from the President, Clapper responded, "Exactly."
It’s time for the branches of government to take advantage of the checks and balances system, he continued, and hold Trump accountable.
Despite Clapper’s unflattering CNN interview, Trump used the former DNI’s past comments to try and exonerate himself from any wrongdoing in terms of Russian interference.
When James Clapper himself, and virtually everyone else with knowledge of the witch hunt, says there is no collusion, when does it end?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017