Jake Tapper's CNN panel erupts over whether it's fair to call Trump a 'despot' like Putin

On Friday afternoon's episode of CNN's The Lead with Jake Tapper, a panel erupted in an argument over whether Bruce Ohr, the Justice Department official that's been the most recent target of President Donald Trump's public ire, has acted in a "suspicious" manner.

Following a report on the president's effort to undermine the Russia probe, Alphonso Aguilar, executive director of the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, wondered about Ohr's connection to Fusion GPS. He added that his actions warrant an investigation.

"If he was having a communication with Christopher Steele and Steele was giving him information and he was relaying it to the FBI, I don't know that's the type of person to have clearance at this point," he said.

Aguilar was quickly shot down by the other panelists.

"Why is that suspicious? I don't understand. Why would it be suspicious?" political analyst Karen Powers panelists said.

"I'm tired of this trashing of Fusion GPS. It is a legitimate firm."

When Powers hinted that Trump would be more at home as the leader of Russia than the US, Aguilar pushed back, calling the comparison a stretch.

"It's not!" Powers said.

Another pointed out that Trump certainly has more in common with Putin than he might with many previous US presidents.

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