U.S. intelligence officials are concerned that their latest findings about Russian election interference are being distorted and weaponized for political gain by both sides, current and former officials tell NBCNews.
What the intelligence doesn't show, the officials said, is that the Russians are actively taking steps to help Trump now. That was also true in the 2016 election, public intelligence reports say — the Russians at first sought to sow chaos, then moved to actively supporting Trump.that he had been briefed that the Russians were trying to help his campaign. He didn't say how or why.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a campaign rally at Vic Mathias Shores Park in Austin, Texas on Feb. 23, 2020.In contrast, President Trump and his national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, have sidestepped questions about how they would respond to foreign election interference, and have instead put the focus on the Democrats. By doing so, they have also played politics with intelligence and national security, current and former officials say.
"I think it's disgraceful," the president said, speaking not about Russian election interference, but about leaks describing the Feb. 13 classified briefing to House lawmakers. The official, who spoke to people who participated in crafting the intelligence analysis that was briefed to lawmakers, said the intelligence assessment that Russia favors Trump called upon a variety of sources from agencies across the government."This is not a matter of interpretation. It is the product of a tradecraft that has been in place for decades, designed with truth as a central premise.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
National Security Adviser Discounts Reports of Russian Interference to Help Re-elect Trump‘There’s no briefing that I’ve received, that the president has received, that says that President Putin is doing anything to try and influence the elections in favor of President Trump,’ Robert O’Brien said.
Read more »
Trump administration officials seek once again to downplay Russian election interferenceTrump administration officials seek to downplay intelligence suggesting that Russia is once again trying to interfere in the election.
Read more »
Tim Scott says Trump faces two main threats: Trump and BernieSen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said Monday morning that President Donald Trump has two main threats to his reelection campaign: Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders
Read more »
Hero worship, walls and fake crowd numbers - India welcomes TrumpUS President Donald Trump is visiting India for two days on February 24 and 25. The timing of his visit appears to be strategic as the November presidential election looms close by.
Read more »