Donald Trump is treated like "an asset" to by Vladimir Putin (Image: GETTY)
The former Intelligence Director, who worked under Barack Obama, said there are concerns within the intelligence community about Trump’s relationship with Putin. Mr Clapper highlighted the Russian leader is highly trained in recruiting assets from his time with the KGB. He went on to say that it is doubtful Trump is a “recruited asset who is responding to the direction of a case officer”.
Mr Clapper told CNN: “The strange thing, I think, that’s bothered a lot of people, both in and out of the intelligence community, is this strange personal deference to Putin by the president.
“I’ve speculated in the past that the way Putin behaves is to treat President Trump as an asset.
“Putin’s background as a trained, experienced KGB agent and how he would approach somebody that he is trying to co-opt or influence or gain leverage over, and in this case, you know, appeal to ego.
“In that sense, in that context, is what I think of when I mean potential unwitting asset.”
