Former CIA Director John O. Brennan and ex-Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper, both of whom parted ways with the administration this year and have been called "hacks" by Mr. Trump, said the president is showing a gullibility about Russia’s interference that puts national security in peril.
"By not confronting the issue directly and not acknowledging to Putin, ’We know that you’re responsible for this,’ I think he’s giving Putin a pass," Mr. Brennan said on CNN’s "State of the Union."
"I think it demonstrates to Mr. Putin that Donald Trump can be played by foreign leaders who are going to appeal to his ego and try to play upon his insecurities, which is very, very worrisome from a national security standpoint," Mr Brennan said.
Mr. Clapper said the president, who is nearing the end of a 12-day trip through Asia, is showing weakness in front of other world leaders.
"He seems very susceptible to rolling out the red carpet, honor guards and all the trappings and pomp and circumstance that come with the office," Mr. Clapper said on CNN. "I think that appeals to him and it plays to his insecurities. Yes, I do think that both the Chinese and the Russians can play him."