Retired US Army colonel levels stunning accusation about Trump's relationship with Putin
- President Donald Trump is the perfect target for Russian intelligence. That's what the retired US Army Col. Lt. Ralph Peters asserted during a CNN interview on Wednesday night.
- Peters said Trump's acquiescence to Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin, suggests to him that Putin has "some sort of grip on Trump."
- The former Fox News military analyst said the Steele dossier, a collection of memos and opposition research on Trump compiled by a former British intelligence agent, "rang true" to him, because, as he put it, Trump "has no self-control, a sense of sexual entitlement, and intermittent financial crises."
- "That's made-to-order for seduction by Russian intelligence," Peters said.
A retired US Army colonel lieutenant and military analyst said he believes President Donald Trump may be on the tip of the spear with Russian intelligence.
Ralph Peters suggested during a CNN interview on Wednesday night that Russian President Vladimir Putin has "some kind of grip on Trump," pointing to the US president's documented affinity toward Putin, and his hesitation to speak critically of the Kremlin.
Peters, who trained in Russian studies, the Russian language, and has experience with Russian intelligence officers, indicated that what he sees in Trump's behavior are the signs of someone who may be compromised by one of the US's most formidable enemies.
The former Fox News military analyst also referenced the Steele dossier, a collection of memos and opposition research on Trump compiled by a former British intelligence agent. Peters said the dossier "rang true" to him, because, as he put it, Trump "has no self-control, a sense of sexual entitlement, and intermittent financial crises."
"That's made-to-order for seduction by Russian intelligence," Peters said, later adding that he hopes the Russians don't have Trump wrapped around their fingers.
Trump and his campaign are at the center of a far-reaching federal investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. The special counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading that probe, is also looking into whether Trump obstructed justice in connection with the investigation after he took office.
Separately, Trump has often shied away from criticizing Putin - instead praising him and his leadership before and after the 2016 election, while publicly lamenting that such praise is frowned upon in the US. He has also slow-walked sanctions on the Russian regime.
Putin has been equally reverent toward Trump, and has previously accused US lawmakers of trying to stand between them.