Ex-Prosecutor: Revoking Brennan's Security Clearance 'Corrupt Motive' by Trump

Chuck Rosenberg, a former federal prosecutor in Virginia and one-time aide to Robert Mueller, said President Donald Trump made a crucial mistake connecting the revocation of ex-CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance to the Russia investigation,

Rosenberg made his comments on a Friday interview on MSNBC’s "Morning Joe."

Along with Brennan losing his clearance, Trump also is reviewing the access for several officials who served under President Barack Obama.

"I call it the rigged witch hunt, (it) is a sham," Trump told The Wall Street Journal. "And these people led it. So, I think it’s something that had to be done."

But Rosenberg said: "On one hand, the president acting within his Article II authority to remove clearance or fire national security official is fine unless done for a corrupt motive. So, the president's statements to the Wall Street Journal or to Lester Holt indicated a corrupt motive.

"I did it because of the Russia investigation. I did it because this thing is bothering me. To a prosecutor, and forgive me, but I was one for a long time, that's a corrupt motive. And that constitutes, in my view evidence of a crime."

• Cummings Wants Explanation on Why Trump Revoked Brennan's Clearance
• Brennan in NYT: Trump Is Trying to 'Scare' Critics Into Silence