Jake Tapper marvels at how fast President Trump has arrived at the Watergate question


The resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, 24 days into the Trump administration and amid flurries of reports alleging frequent contact between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence officials, has already earned a comparison to the Iran-Contra scandal that plagued President Ronald Reagan's second term. But on Tuesday night's Conan, CNN's Jake Tapper and host Conan O'Brien tuned the dial all the way back to the Nixon administration, and the famous question in Richard Nixon's presidency-ending Watergate scandal.
"People are now questioning, 'What did President Trump know, when did he know it?'" Conan said. "Does that particular angle have any legs? Is that going to be a story?" "I think so," Tapper said. "And it is four weeks in; it's pretty early to be saying 'What did the president know and when did he know it? And why didn't he disclose it to the American people when he knew?'" He noted that Trump was informed two weeks ago that Flynn had talked about U.S. sanctions with Russia's ambassador, then denied that he knew anything about the Flynn reports as late as last Friday. "Usually we get into the 'What did the president know and when did he know it?' two years into the second term of a president, not four weeks," Tapper said. "But, you know, he's doing things different." Watch below. Peter Weber
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
How does the Nobel Peace Prize work?
The Explainer Activist María Corina Machado wins prestigious prize, despite public campaign by Donald Trump
-
October books: an academic analysis of Taylor Swift and the solution to your digital addiction
The Week Recommends This month's new releases include ‘Taylor’s Version’ by Stephanie Burt, ‘Enshittification’ by Cory Doctorow and ‘Minor Black Figures’ by Brandon Taylor
-
Why photo booths are enjoying a revival
In The Spotlight It’s 100 years since it first appeared, but the photo booth is far from an analogue relic
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats
-
Supreme Court rules for Fed’s Cook in Trump feud
Speed Read Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her role following Trump’s attempts to oust her
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal