Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said the growing controversy over Russia is much more serious than the Watergate scandal.
"I have to say, though, I think you compare the two that Watergate pales really in my view compared to what we're confronting now," he said.
Clapper spoke to the National Press Club of Australia. A video of his remarks was posted on Twitter by Sky News in Australia:
Clapper comments came as fired FBI Director James Comey gets set to testify on Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is probing whether President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Russian officials, CNBC noted.
Comey was ousted by Trump in May while he was leading the FBI investigation into Russia.
Clapper said Russia meddling in the election was "unprecedented in its directness and aggressiveness," the New York Post reported.
"Their first objective, though, was to sow doubt, discontent and discord about our political system," he said. "They achieved, I'm sure, beyond their wildest expectations."
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