On CNN last night, Erin Burnett questioned former Director of National Intelligence director James Clapper about Russian interference in the election.
She asked him about Trump's reaction to those intelligence briefings.
"When we briefed him, if you're speak of the briefing on the 6th of January, he was very curious, complimentary and he did listen," Clapper said.
"And frankly, the evidence that we provided in detail --which of course we couldn't expose publicly-- was pretty overwhelming. It's why we had such a high confidence level in what we said in that assessment. And so I thought it was a good discussion. He had some doubts about some things, but that's fine to be skeptical about some things. But on balance, I thought we successfully conveyed the message because the substantiating evidence was quite compelling and we didn't hear anything about the 400 pound guy in his bed in New Jersey."
"Which is and I think very important, as you said, because I think obviously when he says publicly is different than what you're describing, which is sort of the way you want an incoming president to respond, courteous and receptive and listen," Burnett said.
But Clapper wanted to point out the ultimate result of that meeting.
"I have to say, Erin, I think what this was maybe the first or early harbinger of what I think really motivated him is, our intelligence community assessment did, I think, serve to cast doubt on the legitimacy of his victory in the election and I think that, above all else, is what concerned him. I think that transcends, unfortunately, the real concern here, which is Russian interference in our political process, which by the way, is going to continue," Clapper said.
Got that? The then-DNI director says the evidence was compelling enough to cast doubt on the legitimacy of his election. Not as an inconvenient political perception, but as a fact.
No wonder he's so edgy.
