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Monday 15 May 2017
Clapper: U.S. govt ‘under assault’ by Trump after Comey firing

HOPE YEN
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) —
American democracy is
“under assault” on sepa-
rate fronts from President
Donald Trump and Russia,
the former U.S. intelligence
chief warned Sunday, ex-
pressing dismay over the
abrupt firing of FBI direc-
tor James Comey amid a
probe into Moscow’s med-
dling in U.S. elections and
possible ties with the Trump
campaign.
As Trump works to fast-
track Comey’s succes-
sor, lawmakers from both
parties urged him to steer
clear of any politicians for
the job and say he must
“clean up the mess that he
mostly created.”
“I think, in many ways, our
institutions are under as-
sault, both externally —
and that’s the big news
here, is the Russian interfer-
ence in our election sys-
tem,” said James Clapper,
the former director of na-
tional intelligence. “I think
as well our institutions are
under assault internally.” President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One before his departure from Andrews Air Force Base,
When he was asked, “Inter- Md., Saturday, May 13, 2017. Associated Press
nally, from the president?”
Clapper said, “Exactly.” warned Comey against ranks, or has such a repu- Senate Minority Leader Comey testify in a public
Clapper spoke following leaks to the press because tation that has no political Chuck Schumer of New hearing before his commit-
Trump’s sudden firing of he may have “tapes” of background at all that can York said the new FBI di- tee. Less than a week after
Comey last week, which their conversations. The go into the job on Day 1,” rector should be someone Trump fired Comey, the
drew sharp criticism be- lawmakers called for a new said Graham, R-S.C. “The “not of partisan back- administration has inter-
cause it came amid the FBI director without any president has a chance to ground” with “great experi- viewed at least eight can-
FBI’s investigation into Rus- political background and clean up the mess he most- ence” and “courage.” De- didates to be FBI director,
sia’s interference in the said Trump would need to ly created,” he said, add- clining comment on a Gar- and Trump has said a de-
2016 presidential elec- hand over to Congress any ing, “I have no evidence land nomination, Schumer cision could come before
tion. Clapper said Ameri- taped conversations with that the president colluded left open the possibility that he leaves Friday on his first
ca’s founding fathers had Comey, if they exist. with the Russians at all ... Democrats might withdraw overseas trip as president.
created three co-equal Republican Sen. Lindsey but we don’t know all the support for a new FBI direc- Trump abruptly fired Com-
branches of government Graham, a member of the evidence yet.” tor unless the Justice De- ey on Tuesday and later
with checks and balances, Judiciary Committee, said Sen. Mike Lee, a Republi- partment names a special said Comey was a “show-
but with Trump as presi- selecting an FBI agent to can from Utah, continued prosecutor. Under Senate boat” and “grandstander”
dent, that was now “erod- lead the agency would al- to argue that the presi- rules, Republicans could still who was not doing a good
ing.” The White House had low the nation to “reset.” dent should consider Mer- confirm an FBI director with job. Trump said in an inter-
no immediate comment. He dismissed as less desir- rick Garland — the federal 51 votes. Republicans hold view with NBC that the Rus-
No White House aide ap- able at least two of the 14 judge nominated to the 52 seats in the chamber to sia investigation factored
peared on the Sunday candidates under consid- Supreme Court last year by Democrats’ 48. into his decision to fire
news shows, leaving Nikki eration by Trump, former President Barack Obama. Calling Trump’s remarks Comey.
Haley, the U.S. ambassa- Rep. Mike Rogers of Michi- Lee said he was “absolute- about possible taped con- The FBI director serves a
dor to the United Nations, gan and Sen. John Cornyn ly serious about it.” versations “outrageous,” 10-year term but can be
to defend Trump. “The of Texas, explaining that A former top aide to Sen. Sen. Mark Warner of Vir- replaced by the president.
president is the CEO of the “these are not normal cir- Mitch McConnell, Josh ginia, the top Democrat So far 14 people have
country. He can hire and cumstances.” Rogers, an Holmes, said McConnell is on the Senate Intelligence emerged as candidates.
fire whoever he wants,” ex-FBI agent and former interested in the sugges- Committee, said his pan- Eight met at the Justice De-
she said. chairman of the House tion. “I think the Senate el or another committee partment on Saturday with
Lawmakers from both par- Intelligence Committee, majority leader thinks that’s would “absolutely” sub- Attorney General Jeff Ses-
ties reprimanded Trump’s has drawn the backing of a fantastic idea,” Holmes poena the tapes. sions and his deputy, Rod
actions, which included the FBI Agents Association. said. Garland never got a “We have got to make sure Rosenstein:
shifting explanations from Cornyn is the No. 2 Republi- hearing due to Republican that these tapes, if they ex- —Alice Fisher, a high-rank-
the White House for Com- can in the Senate. “It’s now obstruction, and the high ist, don’t mysteriously disap- ing Justice Department of-
ey’s dismissal and an omi- time to pick somebody court vacancy was filled pear,” Warner said, add- ficial in the George W. Bush
nous tweet by Trump that who comes from within the last month by Neil Gorsuch. ing that he hopes to have administration.q