Former CIA director John Brennan is accusing President Donald Trump and his "kakistocracy" of fueling corruption in the United States to such an extent the CIA might now be viewing the U.S. "as a very corrupt government."
The fierce Trump critic, who once blasted the former businessman as a "charlatan" with a penchant for a "constant misrepresentation of the facts," made this stunning accusation on NBC, for which he works as senior national security and intelligence analyst.
A CIA veteran for 25 years, Brennan was CIA director from March 2013 to January 2017. He also served as chief counterterrorism advisor to former president Barack Obama.
He was asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday how the CIA might assess the stability of the United States. As a matter of course, the CIA assesses the political, economic, military and technological conditions in all countries of the world -- including the U.S. -- and writes reports presented in classified briefings to the U.S. president and select members of Congress.
"We would look at it as a very corrupt government that is under the sway, right now, of this powerful individual who has been able to just corrupt the institutions and the laws of that country," replied Brennan.
"I think it's no longer, you know, a democracy if an autocrat is -- has it in his hands," he pointed out,
He also blasted Republicans in both Houses of Congress, saying they're "putty" in Trump's hands.
Despite the never-ending string of scandals plaguing Trump's administration -- including the present Ukraine scandal that might lead to Trump's impeachment by the House of Representatives -- Republicans in the House and the Senate have overwhelmingly refrained from attacking Trump.
The Republican silence has led some liberal pundits to note Republicans are so afraid of Trump they've become cowards and have abdicated their constitutionally-mandated role of checking presidential abuses. The powerful polarization of U.S. politics has also meant Republicans won't slam Trump.
"Given the polarization of the country, as well, there's just tremendous political instability here, and which is consuming the government now," Brennan pointed out.
"So, yes, I think there's a real question about the stability (of the U.S. under Trump)," he emphasized.
Brennan's eye-opening comments were made amid an intensifying impeachment investigation into Trump for alleged abuse of power in calling for Ukraine and China to probe alleged abuses by former vice-president Joe Biden, who will likely contest the presidency against Trump in 2020.
In early 2017, Brennan tweeted a response to Trump's harsh comments about former FBI director James Comey: "Your kakistocracy is collapsing after its lamentable journey... we have the opportunity to emerge from this nightmare stronger & more committed to ensuring a better life for all Americans, including those you have so tragically deceived."
Trump fired Comey from his FBI post on May 2017.
A kakistocracy is a government led by the worst, least qualified and most unscrupulous citizens in a country.
Brennan was incensed when a servile Trump displayed a humiliating weakness before Russian president Vladimir Putin at the 2018 Helsinki summit meeting. He tweeted:
"Donald Trump's press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of 'high crimes & misdemeanors'. It was nothing short of 'treasonous'. Not only were Trump's comments 'imbecilic', but he is also wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you???
Brennan also assailed Trump for questioning the U.S. Intelligence Community's (USIC) conclusion that Russia was responsible for a covert effort to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favor.
Trump stripped Brennan of his security clearance in 2018.
