CNN’s Begala: Why is Trump ‘such a wuss’ on Russia?

CNN political analyst Paul Begala on Tuesday night questioned why President Trump doesn’t take a stronger stance against Russia, calling him a “wuss” and a “wimp.”

“Why is Donald Trump, a man so tough he says he would rush into a school shooting unarmed, why is he such a wuss and a wimp about Russia?” Begala said on “Anderson Cooper 360.”

“What do the Russians have on him? Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe it’s just there’s something about [Russian President Vladimir] Putin that our president just worships and adores. But the evidence, the direct evidence is just catastrophic for him,” he continued.

{mosads}CNN reported Tuesday night that special counsel Robert Mueller’s team is questioning witnesses about Trump’s business dealings in Russia leading up to his decision to launch a presidential campaign in 2015.

Mueller is leading an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, including ties between Trump campaign associates and Russia.

Trump has repeatedly declared the federal Russia probe a “witch hunt” and has denied any collusion between his campaign and Russia.

Many lawmakers have expressed concern about the Trump administration’s lack of response to the intelligence community’s assessment that Russia attempted to influence the 2016 election. Officials have also warned Russia is likely to try and meddle in this year’s midterm elections.

The Trump administration has thus far declined to impose sanctions on Russia that Congress overwhelmingly approved of last year.

In addition, National Security Agency Director Adm. Mike Rogers told lawmakers on Tuesday that he has not received specific direction from the Trump administration to disrupt further Russian cyberattacks targeting U.S. elections.