Watergate scandal is nothing when compared to Washington events involving President Donald Trump and his alleged links to his campaign with Russia, a former chief of the American National Intelligence Agency James Clapper said on Wednesday. Clapper says he does not understand Trump's continued pro-Russian stance and points out that his disclosure of information to Russia is very problematic."
Watergate is pale compared to this
Former United States National Intelligence Service Director James Clapper resigned from duty at a time when newly-elected President Donald Trump began compiling his administration.
Clapper co-ordinated the work of seventeen different agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
"I think if you compare those cases, Watergate is really pale in relation to what we are facing today," Clapper told reporters in Canberra. A break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic Party's National Guard at the Watergate Hotel in Washington in 1972 has forced former US President Richard Nixon to resign two years later.
Clapper gave these statements in the Australian capital two days before FBI Director James Comey is about to witness before the Senate Intelligence Committee. The committee is investigating whether Trump's campaign has partnered with Russian officials to influence the presidential election.
Comey was removed by Trump in May, despite an investigation by the US Department of Justice on contacts between the president's associates and Russia. Trump called this a "witch hunt" and denied any connection with Moscow. Clapper believes it is "inexplicable" that Trump still has a pro-Russian attitude despite the evidence that the Russians intervened in 2016 elections.
New FBI director
Donald Trump has publicly announced via Twitter that he has chosen a new FBI director. It is the lawyer Christopher A. Wray, who also served during George W. Bush's term as assistant to the chief prosecutor. Trump wrote that he is a man who has flawless references and how he will soon publish more details.
"I will be nominating Christopher A.
Wray, a man of impeccable credentials, to be the new Director of the FBI. Details to follow." Trump tweeted on Wednesday.
In addition to the assistant chief prosecutor's office, Wray was also the lawyer of Trump's ally and governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie.
