Former DNI Clapper Speaks

Tuesday night’s “Rachel Maddow Show” was dedicated to interviewing former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper who has written a book, “Facts and Fears.” Rachel reads some excerpts from the book between her interview with Clapper, a retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force and career intelligence officer for over 50 years.

She opens with a passage in which Clapper describes the effect of the massive Russian propaganda campaign in support of Donald Trump in the 2016 election.

Clapper opens the interview telling Rachel why he believes, given the closeness of the outcome and the targets Russia chose, that Russia was ultimately successful in its efforts to undermine the 2016 U.S. election.

In the next segment, he discusses how Donald Trump’s weak morals and willingness to inflict damage on American society and institutions have strained his respect for the Trump presidency and his role as commander in chief.

In the final segment, Clapper talks with Rachel about how the Intelligence Community regarded the Christopher Steele dossier and how to make Donald Trump aware of its existence even as part of it were verified.