Retired four-star Army general: Trump, 'under the sway of Putin,' threatens national security

Jessica Durando | USA TODAY

A retired four-star Army general said that he thinks President Trump is a “serious threat to US national security” because the president "is refusing to protect vital US interests from active Russian attacks."

Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey tweeted Friday that “it is apparent that he is for some unknown reason under the sway of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.”

Reluctantly I have concluded that President Trump is a serious threat to US national security. He is refusing to protect vital US interests from active Russian attacks. It is apparent that he is for some unknown reason under the sway of Mr Putin. — Barry R McCaffrey (@mccaffreyr3) March 16, 2018

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McCaffrey, a military analyst for NBC News and president of his own consulting firm, BR McCaffrey Associates, was director of Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Clinton from 1996 to 2001.

He received three Purple Heart medals for injuries sustained during his service in Vietnam, two Silver Stars for valor, and two Distinguished Service Crosses.

Special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating Russian involvement in the 2016 elections and whether there was any collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Mueller has indicted several former Trump campaign aides and 13 Russian nationals as part of his ongoing probe into Russian interference in the presidential election.

Analysis: Russian sanctions boost Mueller probe AP Reporter Josh Lederman says fresh moves by the US to Punish Russia suggest that the Trump administration is giving "some credence' to the work of special counsel Robert Mueller. (March 15)

Trump's administration sanctioned several Russian organizations on Thursday for unsavory behavior, including attempts to alter the 2016 presidential election. The sanctions, though, are largely symbolic: A third or so existed under the Obama administration, and the individual-level sanctions likely won't hurt Russia's economy. Among the repeats are Yevgeniy Prigozhin, a Russian oligarch known as "Putin's chef."

Trump has also been criticized for not putting in place sanctions against Russia earlier, after Congress passed a bi-partisan bill last summer.

Last month, U.S. Cyber Command chief and National Security Agency Director Adm. Michael Rogers told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he had not received any new authority from Trump to strike at Russian cyber operations.

Regarding U.S. efforts to counter the Russian intrusions, Rogers said, “We’re taking steps, but we’re probably not doing enough.”

McCaffrey's remarks were echoed on MSNBC Saturday by retired United States Navy Admiral James Stavridis.

Asked by MSNBC host Alex Witt for his thoughts on McCaffrey's statement, Stavridis replied: “I know the general well. I have a lot of regard for his opinions, he does not state them loosely.”

“In terms of the current situation with Russia, our president needs to understand that Vladimir Putin is no friend to the United States, that Russia is actively seeking to undermine our nation not only domestically but our foreign policy as well,” he added. “I agree with Gen. McCaffrey that our president does not spend enough time focused on the threat that is emanating from Russia today.”

Meanwhile, tensions between U.S. ally Britain and Russia have reached Cold War-era levels of frostiness.

The diplomatic snit stems from the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter, Yulia, 33, who were found unconscious on a park bench in a shopping area in Salisbury, England, on March 4. They remain in a critical condition.

Britain's foreign minister Boris Johnson said Friday it was "overwhelmingly likely" Putin directly ordered the attack. British officials say military-grade nerve agent was used.

Contributing: Josh Hafner