Even if it is "not a good idea," the unprecedented release of the transcript of a call with a foreign leader is likely necessary for President Donald Trump to "thread our way out of this," according to former CIA Director James Woolsey on Newsmax TV.
"I think things may be rickety enough now that we're going to have to thread our way out of this," Woolsey, who served during the Clinton administration, told Tuesday's "Newsmax Now."
This unprecedented move has been forced by the Democrats' seeking impeachment over allegations President Trump might have held back $390 million in aid from Ukraine if it did not investigate potential corruption with former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
"I think as a general rule, it's not a good idea," Woolsey told host John Bachman. "Countries need to know they can speak confidentially to the American president, but in this circumstance it's gotten to be controversial enough and enough of an issue, even surrounding discussions of impeachment.
"I think it would probably be a good idea to go ahead and release it."
Still, Woolsey added, Joe Biden "would need to face the facts, just as President Trump needs to."
Impeachment is a slippery slope for all, according to Woolsey.
"It's a very strong and frightening utilization of American constitutional power," he said.
"I hope we don't get into a mode in which whatever parliamentary group, congressional group is in a position of being in deficiency or some vulnerability faces impeachment."
Finally, speaking on the work of Europe to try to sign a new Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, Woolsey rejected it as working off a former agreement that was "worthless."
"We have no experience with their keeping their word or working with us on anything," Woolsey said of negotiating with Iran. "I think it would be a bad idea getting locked into thinking we were going to be able to influence by signing something."
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