James Clapper Rips 'Truly Cringeworthy' Whitaker Testimony: It Was 'Amateur Hour'

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper appeared stunned by acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker s hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Friday, bashing his testimony as virtually worthless.

In a CNN interview that evening, Clapper told the networks Don Lemon that Whitakers remarks on special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election werent all that credible, suggesting the testimony was a complete disaster.

The hearing began sliding downhill once Whitaker responded to a question from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) by telling him that hed reached his time limit .

His performance was truly cringeworthy starting with reminding the chairman that his five minutes was up, Clapper said. Boy, you just dont do that and I thought that was truly amateur hour.

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker's testimony \"was truly cringeworthy,\" adding that he was \"in over his head\" https://t.co/xm8fFQFJqr pic.twitter.com/gZkUUFsjUk

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Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker's testimony "was truly cringeworthy," adding that he was "in over his head" https://t.co/xm8fFQFJqr pic.twitter.com/gZkUUFsjUk
CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) February 9, 2019

Feeling Whitakers testimony couldnt be trusted, Clapper said he was terrible and obviously in over his head.

Furthermore, he argued that the hearing in which Whitaker refused to defend the integrity of the Mueller inquiry was a reminder of how the independence of the Department of Justice has kind of taken a beating with him as the acting AG.

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Asked whether he was overseeing a so-called witch hunt in regard to the Russia inquiry, Whitaker declined to answer, contending that it would be inappropriate for him to comment on an ongoing investigation.

While Whitaker testified that he has not interfered with Muellers work, speculation has swirled over his previous criticisms of the investigation, which he has voiced publicly several times on cable news .