Ex-FBI official warns Trump could be a Russian asset: ‘His approach with Putin raises significant questions’

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A former top FBI official has warned that Donald Trump could be a Russian asset if he wins the 2024 election, saying the Republican presidential candidate’s approach to Vladimir Putin raises “some very serious questions.” Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe, who was fired by Trump in 2018, was asked on a podcast whether “there is a possibility Trump is a Russian asset.” He responded: “I do.” “I don’t know I would characterize it as active recruited knowing asset in the way people in the intelligence community think of that term,” he told the OneDecision podcast. “But I do think that Donald Trump has given us many reasons to question his approach to the Russia problem in the US.” McCabe also said the Republican presidential nominee has “a fawning admiration” for Russian dictator Putin in a way “no other president has.” In the past, Trump has wildly claimed Putin “would never have gone into Ukraine” if he were president and has touted his “very good relationship” with him several times. McCabe also questioned Trump’s stance on the US’s support for Ukraine in the war against Russia as well as his attitude towards Nato, which he said raises “some very serious questions” about why Trump “seems so much more accepting and supportive” and “has this fawning admiration for Vladimir Putin in a way that no other president – Republican or Democrat – ever has.” Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe has said Trump could be an asset to Russia if he wins the election “It may just be from a fundamental misunderstanding of this problem set,” he continued. Negotiate a deal.” Kamala Harris, meanwhile, argued she had contributed to “preserv the ability of Zelensky and the Ukrainians to fight for their independence,” adding: “Otherwise, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe.” The candidates were asked about the war in Ukraine during Tuesday’s debate Speaking on the podcast, McCabe also warned that “violence and unrest” could sweep the US if Trump loses the election in November.