Former CIA director John Brennan is sworn in to testify before the House Intelligence Committee to take questions on "Russian active measures during the 2016 election campaign" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 23, 2017.
Former CIA Director John Brennan fired back at President Donald Trump on Thursday with an op-ed published in the New York Times one day after the president revoked the Obama-era official's security clearance, saying he would not be scared into silence.
The Republican president said in a statement on Wednesday that he was evaluating whether to strip clearances from other outspoken former top officials.
Trump said he revoked Brennan's authorization for making what he called "a series of unfounded and outrageous allegations" about his administration and engaging in "frenzied commentary" that sought to "sow division and chaos." Brennan has been a sharp critic of Trump.
A jury on Thursday will begin weighing the fate of Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman standing trial on bank and tax fraud charges that could put him behind bars.The judge gave the jury of six men and six women in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, their final instructions on Wednesday after closing arguments.During the two weeks of testimony, witnesses described how Manafort routed $16 million in income hidden in foreign bank accounts to U.S. vendors to purchase real estate, bespoke suits and antique rugs, income he is charged with omitting from his tax returns.Trump calls former Apprentice star turned White House aide 'a dog'The case is the first to go to trial arising out of special counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, although the charges against Manafort largely predate his five months on the campaign.Manafort, 69, a veteran political consultant, made his fortune bringing pro-Russian politician Viktor Yanukovych to power in Ukraine in 2010. When Yanukovych fled the country in 2014, the political work dried up and Manafort lied about his finances to get loans from banks, prosecutors said.In their closing argument on Wednesday, defense counsel argued that prosecutors had not proved Manafort willfully committed any crimes. They said he trusted employees, his accountants and bookkeeper to handle his financial affairs, and at times misplaced that trust.FBI agent, who criticized Trump in text messages, is firedThe defense took direct aim at Rick Gates, Manafort's long-time right-hand man, who was charged in the same indictment but pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the government.Gates' testimony was the highlight of the trial, and defense attorney Kevin Downing sought to undercut his credibility as he described the married father of four's "secret life" in London, that Gates admitted included an extramarital affair.But Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Andres told jurors in his closing that the star witness of the trial was "documents," and that, once the jury began deliberating, they should look at the exhibits to see how they corroborated Gates' testimony.US prosecutors to wrap up Manafort case, may soon go to juryWhile some legal experts predicted the jury reach a decision before the weekend, others said the jury would likely deliberate longer, given the complexity and historic nature of the case."If this were a run-of-the-mill case, you could have a verdict Thursday afternoon or Friday because they don't want to come back Monday," said Gene Rossi, a former federal prosecutor who has watched parts of the trial. "This is a monumental case, and I would be surprised if they don't come back Monday to examine the jury instructions and the exhibits."A Manafort conviction would undermine efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump and some Republican lawmakers to paint Mueller's inquiry as a political witch hunt, while an acquittal would be a setback for Mueller.Trump calls on top lawyer to end special counsel probe
Jury to begin weighing US charges against ex-Trump aide Manafort
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump directly connected his decision to the ongoing federal probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and allegedly collusion by his presidential campaign.
"I call it the rigged witch hunt, (it) is a sham," Trump told the newspaper on Wednesday. "And these people led it."
"It's something that had to be done," Trump added.
Hundreds of U.S. newspapers devoted print space on Thursday to a coordinated defense of press freedom and a rebuke of President Donald Trump for saying some media organizations are enemies of the American people.Last week, the Boston Globe pledged to write an editorial on Aug. 16 on the dangers of the U.S. administration's “dirty war” against the press.Using the hashtag #EnemyOfNone and #FreePress, close to 350 publications, including the U.K.’s Guardian, the New York Times, the New York Post, and the Philadelphia Inquirer, joined the campaign and denounced the president’s war against the media.Poll finds most US voters dislike TrumpThe Boston Globe, with the headline “Journalists Are Not The Enemy,” stated that a free press was the essence of American media for over two centuries.“A central pillar of President Trump’s politics is a sustained assault on the free press. Journalists are not classified as fellow Americans, but rather “The enemy of the people.” This relentless assault on the free press has dangerous consequences,” the editorial read.The New York Times’ editorial, headlined “A Free Press Needs You,” called out to Trump saying, “Insisting that truths you don’t like are “fake news” is dangerous to the lifeblood of democracy. And calling journalists the “enemy of the people” is dangerous, period.”Turkey invites US to panel in WTOU.S. President Donald Trump has previously attacked certain media outlets, calling them the “FAKE NEWS MEDIA” and the “enemy of the American people.”The Globe said it coordinated publication among the newspapers and carried details of it on a database on its website.Trump has frequently criticized journalists and described news reports that contradict his opinion or policy positions as fake news.His comments reflect a view held by many conservatives that most newspapers and other news outlets distort, make up or omit facts because of a bias against them.A representative for the White House could not immediately be reached for comment on the editorials.In January, U.S. Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican from Arizona, said Trump had embraced the despotic language of former Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
Over 300 news outlets launch campaign against Trump’s media attack
The president has denied any collusion and Russia said it did not interfere.
Brennan, who led the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency under Democratic President Barack Obama, called Trump's denials "hogwash."
"The only questions that remain are whether the collusion that took place constituted criminally liable conspiracy, whether obstruction of justice occurred to cover up any collusion or conspiracy, and how many members of 'Trump Incorporated' attempted to defraud the government by laundering and concealing the movement of money into their pockets,' he wrote in the Times.
As a row between NATO allies Ankara and Washington escalates, Turkey has geared up to boycott American electronic goods after Erdoğan’s call to the Turkish public to stop buying and importing U.S. products.Turkish traders answered Erdoğan’s call and suspended purchases of iPhones at prominent trade centers in Istanbul such as the Doğubank commercial complex, Grand Bazaar, Tahtakale, Mahmutpaşa and Eminönü.In Doğubank alone, three major importers have suspended purchasing $50 million worth of iPhone products.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday said that Turkey will boycott U.S.’s technology products amidst a row between the two diplomatic allies. “We will boycott American electronic products,” Erdogan said, adding that Turkey would produce a better version of every product previously bought with foreign currencies and export them.Qatar to make direct investment of $15B in TurkeErdoğan says Turkey will boycott US electronic productsTurkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively, causing the lira to lose value against the dollar. Turkey in its turn increased tariffs on several U.S. products, including alcohol, tobacco and cars, according to a new presidential decree published Wednesday in the official gazette. Traders halt short and long term ordersA Turkish trader in Istanbul said, “Demands have stopped abruptly. Also in other cities merchants have started to cancel their iPhone contracts or orders.”On the other hand, some importers are try to turn the sudden fall in the lira into an advantage by keeping their products in storage. Most imported goods, especially office supplies cannot be found in the markets because some of them plan to raise prices after the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice holiday in Turkey.It is estimated that a total of $7 billion worth of Apple’s iPhone products have been sold in Turkey in 10 years by reaching over 10 million people.Referring to U.S. sanctions, Erdoğan said on Tuesday, "If they have their iPhone, there is Samsung on the other side. We have Vestel, Venüs in our country.”US tariffs to remain even if pastor freed: WHEx-French diplomat slams Trump's Turkey policy
Turkish traders suspend $50mln iPhone imports after Erdoğan call
Trump's move showed he "clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him, which is why he made the politically motivated decision to revoke my security clearance in an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him," Brennan said.
High-ranking government officials sometimes retain security clearances after leaving office to advise their successors as needed.
Brennan is not facing any formal charges of violating any regulations or laws. He has frequently criticized the president on television news shows and sent blistering tweets criticizing Trump and his foreign policy positions.
U.S. President Donald Trump revoked former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance Wednesday amid concern the president may be cracking down on former officials critical of him.Brennan has long been at loggerheads with Trump and was among a handful of former officials whose clearances the White House said in July were under review.The former top spy has been at the forefront of public criticism from former officials along with ex-FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump unceremoniously ousted in 2017."Mr. Brennan has recently leveraged his status as a former high-ranking official with access to highly sensitive information to make a series of unfounded and outrageous allegations, wild outbursts on the Internet and television about this administration," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters as she read out a statement from Trump.World stands united with Turkey against Trump’s economic warBrennan, who criticized Trump's performance at a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "nothing short of treasonous," lashed out at Trump's decision on Twitter, calling it "part of a broader effort by Mr. Trump to suppress freedom of speech punish critics”."It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent," Brennan said.In addition to Brennan and Comey, Sanders said the administration is reviewing the clearances of a handful of other former officials. They include Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, National Security Agency Director Michael Hayden, Justice Department official Sally Yates, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.Trump adviser Bolton to meet Russian officials next weekAll of the officials have been publicly critical of Trump and his administration's policies. But Sanders denied the president is going after his critics."The president has a constitutional responsibility to protect classified information and who has access to it, and that's what he's doing," she said.Most former top officials are allowed to keep their security clearances, which allow them to access classified information, at least for a time after leaving office, in part to allow them to assist their successors and as a courtesy.Trump’s global policy a string of abandoned commitmentsSanders acknowledged the fact but said "any benefits that senior officials might glean from consultations with Mr. Brennan are now outweighed by the risks posed by his erratic conduct and behavior."That conduct and behavior has tested and far exceeded the limits of any professional courtesy that may have been due to him," she said.Shortly after the announcement, Clapper, the former national intelligence director whose clearance is also under review, told CNN Trump's action is "unprecedented".Trump vows 'toughness and strength' after UK parliament incident"I don't know of a case where this has ever been done in the past," Clapper said. "Access to clearances normally would be done completely by a sponsoring agency. So in John's case, the sponsoring agency is the CIA. And normally if there was going to be an action taken like this, it would be done at that level and not by the White House, or not by the president himself."
Trump pulls ex-CIA director's security clearance
The president on Wednesday cited Brennan's "wild outbursts on the internet and television - about this administration."
Former U.S. national intelligence director James Clapper, former FBI Director James Comey, former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice and former National Security Agency director Michael Hayden could also see their clearances revoked.
Bruce Ohr, a Justice Department official currently in the criminal division, was also on the White House list.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the probe, has indicted or secured guilty pleas from 32 people and three companies, including Russian intelligence officials and former Trump aides.