Ex-CIA head: Concerns over Trump team, Russia contacts

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

Former CIA Director John Brennan said on Tuesday he was concerned that Russian operatives were attempting to influence members of President Donald Trump's campaign team -- with or without their direct knowledge.

"I encountered and am aware of information and intelligence that revealed contacts and interactions between Russian officials and U.S. persons involved in the Trump campaign that I was concerned about because of known Russian efforts to suborn such individuals," Brennan said in his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee in Washington.

“It raised questions in my mind about whether Russia was able to gain the cooperation of those individuals," he added.

Brennan said he was unsure if Russia's attempts were successful, and that he could not confirm whether any collusion had transpired.

Still the intelligence was sufficient to warrant a further FBI investigation "to determine whether or not U.S. persons were actively conspiring, colluding with Russian officials", Brennan said.

Any possible collusion is currently being pursued by the bureau, as well as separate House and Senate investigations.

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who was ousted from office by Trump amid a scandal related to his contacts with Russian officials, has been a key figure in the probes.

On Monday, Flynn invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in denying a Senate subpoena for documents.

He previously sought full immunity in exchange for his testimony -- an offer rejected by lawmakers at the time.

Rep. Elijah Cummings said on Monday that Flynn appeared to have lied during the process of renewing his security clearance in 2016, including his failure to disclose payments from Russia's state-owned media network RT.

Cummings further requested House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz to subpoena the White House regarding documents related to Flynn.

During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats declined to comment on media reports that Trump asked him and National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers to push back on the FBI's inquiry.

"I don't feel it's appropriate to characterize discussions and conversations with the president," he told committee Chairman John McCain.

In response to Brennan and Coats' testimony, the White House said: "This morning's hearings back up what we've been saying all along: that despite a year of investigation, there is still no evidence of any Russia-Trump campaign collusion."