CNN counterterrorism analyst Philip Mudd condemned President Trump’s performance during a press conference alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin at the conclusion of their talks in Helsinki, questioning when members of Trump’s Cabinet or lawmakers on Capitol Hill will confront Trump about his behavior.
“Curious point in American government: When do we see almost a shadow government come out and say, ‘We cannot side with the government’? Whether it’s the Cabinet or the Senate. I think that’s the big question,” Mudd said during an interview on the network late Monday.
“My question would be when do members of the president’s inner circle start to say, ‘Look, we have an overseas dilemma where you are portraying us, in terms of the American government, as worse than a tyrant, that is Vladimir Putin,’” he continued.
Mudd cited Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen telling the National Association of Secretaries of State on Saturday there was “little doubt that adversaries and non-state actors continue to view elections as a target for cyber and influence operations.” In addition, he referenced ongoing federal and congressional investigations into Russia interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Trump was censured by Democrats and Republicans alike on Monday when he said he has yet to see any compelling reason why the Kremlin would have meddled in the 2016 election, casting doubt on the U.S. intelligence community assessment that Russia sought to undermine American electoral processes.
Trump’s comments also followed special counsel Robert Mueller on Friday issuing an indictment in federal court that alleged 12 Russian military officials hacked Democratic email servers during the campaign.
