Trump ‘Can Be Played,’ Ex-Intelligence Chiefs Say
- Brennan, Clapper say president can be wooed by flattery
- Officials respond to Trump criticism on Russian interference
Why Mueller Is Seen as the Perfect Man for the Job
This article is for subscribers only.
President Donald Trump is showing he “can be played” by Vladimir Putin when he doesn’t acknowledge Russian interference in the 2016 election, a former Central Intelligence Agency director said.
“I think he’s giving Putin a pass,” John Brennan, CIA director under President Barack Obama, said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “It demonstrates to Mr. Putin that Donald Trump can be played by foreign leaders who are going to appeal to his ego and to try to play upon his insecurities, which is very, very worrisome from a national-security standpoint.”