Trump's Claims Of No Collusion With Russia 'Hogwash' - Ex-CIA Director Brennan

Trump's Claims of No Collusion With Russia 'Hogwash' - Ex-CIA Director Brennan

US President Donald Trump's claims that he did not collude with Russia are false, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan said in an opinion article on Thursday, just one day after Trump revoked the ex-spy chief's security clearance.

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th August, 2018) US President Donald Trump's claims that he did not collude with Russia are false, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan said in an opinion article on Thursday, just one day after Trump revoked the ex-spy chief's security clearance.

"Mr. Trumps claims of no collusion are, in a word, hogwash," Brennan said in his op-ed for The New York Times.

The former CIA director said the only remaining questions in the Russia investigation are whether the collusion "constituted criminally liable conspiracy," whether Trump obstructed justice to cover up collusion or conspiracy, and how many members of Trump's team tried to defraud the government through money laundering and "concealing the movement of money into their pockets."

Brennan added that Trump made a politically motivated decision to revoke his security clearance in order to silence others as he gets more desperate to protect himself.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials of his country's interference in the 2016 election are also "hogwash," Brennan said.

Russia has repeatedly denied allegations of interfering in the election, and both Trump and the Kremlin have firmly rejected all accusations of collusion.

Trump revoked Brennan's security clearance on Wednesday, saying the former intelligence official was using his status to make unfounded and outrageous allegations against the president and his administration, adding, "Any benefits that senior officials glean from consultations with Mr. Brennan are now outweighed by the risks posed by his erratic conduct and behavior."

The White House is also reviewing the security clearances of other officials from former President Barack Obama's administration.

Brennan led the Central Intelligence Agency from 2013 to 2017 during the presidency of Barack Obama.