RUSH EXCERPT:
MADDOW: "Joining us, once again for his first sit down interview since President Trump revoked his security clearance in an unprecedented move this week, former CIA director John Brennan. Thank U, again, for being here. I want to ask you about this breaking news we had tonight from “Washington Post.” You can see the headline here E whose drafts more clearance cancellations demanded by trump. I will jre clearances of current and former officials who President Trump, trump wants to sign, quote, most, if not all of them, said one senior white House official who indicated that communication aides including press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the new deputy chief of staff discussed the optimum times to release them as a distraction during unfavorable news cycles. Here’s the part about you. The senior White House official acknowledged that the step taken this week against John Brennan had been prepared in late July when Sanders first said trump was considering it. But the step was taken this week to divert attention from nonstop coverage of a critical book released by fired aide. Consideration is being given for other prepared documents in reserve for similar opportunities in the future. Do you have any reaction learning to that, according to a White House official, that this is why the president took this action against you this week?"
BRENNAN: "This is just another demonstration of his irresponsibility in terms of holding that office. Just because he has these authorities, and he does. He can revoke and he has revoked my clearances and others and just the way he can give pardons out. I’m not a lawyer, but I know there is a question about whether or not there is corrupt intent terms of doing this. I think this is a thing that lawyers and courts and others are going to be looking at in terms of whether Mr. Trump is going to be doing any of this to obstruct justice or try to silence critics, whatever. But the fact that he’s using a security clearance of a former CIA director as a pawn in his public relations strategy, I think, is just so reflective of somebody who, quite frankly, don’t want to use this term maybe, but he’s drunk on power. He really is. I think he’s abusing the powers of that office. I think right now this country is in a crisis in terms of what Mr. Trump has done and is liable to do. Are the Republicans on the hill who have given him a pass, are they going to wait for a disaster to happen before they actually find their back bones and spines to speak up against somebody who clearly, clearly is not carrying out his responsibilities with any sense of purpose and common sense from the stand point of a national security."