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Richard Nixon's former lawyer warns Donald Trump over Russia cover-up

It comes amid revelations Attorney General Jeff Sessions had two conversations with the Russian ambassador during the presidential campaign

Samuel Osborne
Thursday 02 March 2017 08:18 GMT
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John Dean previously described the president as 'more Nixonian than Nixon' in his hatred towards the media
John Dean previously described the president as 'more Nixonian than Nixon' in his hatred towards the media (AP)

Richard Nixon's former lawyer has warned President Donald Trump over his administration's alleged links to the Kremlin.

John Dean, who was referred to as the "master manipulator of the [Watergate] cover-up" by the FBI, gave evidence against President Nixon before the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973.

"Hey Donald, a tip," he wrote on Twitter. "Cover-ups don't get easier as they proceed.

"Russia tie leaks drown your joint session speech in less than 24 hrs."

It comes amid revelations Attorney General Jeff Sessions had two conversations with the Russian ambassador during the presidential campaign last year, leading to calls for his recusal.

Mr Sessions, an early supporter of Mr Trump, did not disclose the communications at his confirmation hearing when asked what he would do if "anyone affiliated" with the campaign had been in contact with the Russian government.

Mr Dean has previously described Mr Trump as "more Nixonian than Nixon" in his hatred towards the media.

He also compared the Trump administration's efforts to use the intelligence agencies for political purposes with Mr Nixon's attempt sto use the CIA to push the FBI away from investigating the Watergate burglary.

Mr Dean said: “What I see and hear … are echoes of Watergate.

"We don’t have Watergate 2.0 yet, but what we have is something that is beginning to look like it could go there."

Almost every big claim Trump made at address to Congress was false

When asked whether Mr Trump could be impeached over his conduct, Mr Dean said it was an unlikely outcome due to the majority of majority of Republicans in the House and Senate.

“It takes really a national change of attitude about this president before we’re going to have an impeachment," he added.

“Right today, given the fact that the House and Senate are controlled by the Republicans, they’re not going to impeach their president.

"As long as he gives them what they want and signs into legislation or signs into law a lot of the things that they’ve had in their dreams for many years, they’re not going to give him any problem.”

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