James Clapper
© REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein
Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper went on CNN to accuse Russia of interfering in US affairs including the Covid-19 pandemic, Portland and Kenosha protests, and election meddling while giving no real evidence.

Clapper, who has previously said Russians are "typically, almost genetically driven to co-opt, penetrate, gain favor, whatever," was more than happy to push more xenophobic Russia conspiracy theories during a Monday CNN interview when prompted by anchor Alisyn Camerota.

After bringing up violent protests in cities like Portland, Oregon, and Kenosha, Wisconsin - both of which have seen shooting deaths occur during demonstrations and riots - Camerota asked Clapper if he sees "evidence as we saw in 2016 that some of this unrest, some of this online ginning up of discord, you see Russian fingerprints?"

"Absolutely," Clapper replied without hesitation, before also blaming Russians for spreading "disinformation" in regards to the Covid-19 pandemic, including how it "disproportionately" affects minorities.

Though conspiracy theories about the Russian government interfering in the 2016 presidential election have been backed up by no real evidence, but rather only second and third-hand information, Clapper used 2016 as his only evidence of this new conspiracy theory.

"There's no question the Russians are exploiting this. Why shouldn't they? They had huge success in 2016. Why not do it again in 2020?" he said.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California) was similarly asked on Monday during a CNN interview whether Russia was at all to blame for making race relations worse in the US, to which Schiff also replied yes and claimed they "are once again doing their best in social media, in the overt media and other means to grow this division again."

Besides consistent history of xenophobic remarks toward Russians, James Clapper has also been accused of lying under oath. Some politicians, including Sen. Rand Paul, have said the former director of national intelligence should be prosecuted for denying his knowledge of the existence of the NSA's warrantless spying program.