Ex-DNI James Clapper: Trump's borderline 'brutality' toward immigrant kids is 'disturbing to our allies'

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Wednesday blasted President Donald Trump for his immigrant family separation policies, which he said were sure to add even more friction between the United States and its traditional allies.

During a CNN appearance, Clapper said that the Trump administration's policies reminded him of actions he's seen taken by traditionally authoritarian governments overseas.

"There is a pretty fine line between civility and brutality," he said. "I think it's much thinner than people might think, based on what I have observed in other countries. And so I think it is very disturbing to our friends and allies, and probably satisfying for our adversaries. So this is not good in any measure, particularly from the standpoint of international image."

CNN host John Berman then asked Clapper if he himself viewed Trump's actions as "brutality" -- and Clapper couldn't definitively say one way or another.

"It certainly shows the line [between civility and brutality] is eroding, I'll put it that way," Clapper said.

Watch the video below.