Senior Intelligence Official Slams Trump - What to Watch Today

Monday, May 15th

Hello, fine Countabods,

The full Congress is back in session, mapping out a game plan for the few weeks between now and its Memorial Day recess. But it’s not their schedule that’s going to make things difficult -- it’s President Donald Trump and the swirling accusations over his conduct in the firing of FBI Director James Comey, and the Russia investigation.

Evidence of this swirl? Check out what one of the most respected intelligence professionals in Washington, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, told CNN yesterday.

"I think in many ways our institutions are under assault, both externally -- and that’s the big news here, the Russian interference in our election system -- and as well I think our institutions are under assault internally."

When asked if, by ‘internally’ he was talking about President Trump, Clapper said, "exactly."

One thing about Washington is that the two main parties are much less monolithic than they seem from the outside. There are constant factions formed and alliances broken; Members of the House and Senate -- of the same party -- often find themselves at odds. And though it may seem like Republicans have a lock on government because they control both chambers of Congress and the White House, it just doesn’t work that way.

Members of Congress and Senators know that they will very likely be in office far longer than any president. And there are many who remember the scandals of other presidents -- from Nixon to Clinton and beyond.

So when lawmakers see extremely well respected officials -- top security officials, no less, who have access to information you or I will never know -- people like that questioning the actions of the current president? Well, their reaction is often to back-off, keep relations with that president at arms length, or even take cover. And that’s tough on a president’s legislative agenda.

The President: IN WASHINGTON

• Participates in ceremony at the Capitol honoring National Police Week

• Meets at the White House with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan of Abu Dhabi

The House of Representatives: IN SESSION

• The House is in a pro forma session, and will return for legislative business Tuesday.

The Senate: IN SESSION

• The Senate will vote on the nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation after 5:30pm

It’s going to be a big week, friends. Make sure you check out our This Week in Congress post to keep up to date on what the House and Senate are doing. As always, we’ve got your back!

-- Andrea Seabrook, Managing Editor of Countable