Posted on 08/29/2020 3:08:27 PM PDT by ransomnote
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe indicated that leaks from Congress were the reason for ending in-person briefings.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is scaling back its election security briefings to Congress, according to two sources familiar with the matter and documents reviewed by POLITICO.
ODNI told the House and Senate intelligence committees that it will still provide written briefings, but that they should not expect verbal, in-person briefings on the topic, according to a congressional official and letters dated Aug. 28 that Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe sent to top members of Congress. Ratcliffe indicated in those letters that leaks from Congress were the reason for ending in-person briefings.
The move has enraged congressional Democrats, who have long charged the Trump administration with downplaying threats to U.S. elections from foreign actors, especially Russia. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff said in a statement that ODNI canceled separate briefings that had been scheduled for September before the intelligence committees and all members of Congress.
“This is a shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility to keep the Congress currently informed, and a betrayal of the public’s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy,” Schiff and Pelosi said.
ODNI decided to scale back the briefings because classified material from recent briefings leaked out, according to a U.S. intelligence official and a congressional official in touch with the office. CNN first reported the development.
ODNI officials were particularly angry about a leak from an all-House classified briefing led by top counterintelligence official Bill Evanina late last month, where Pelosi accused him of keeping Americans in the dark about the details of Russia’s continued interference in the 2020 campaign.
Evanina ultimately acknowledged in that briefing that Russia is again trying to boost President Donald Trump’s reelection and denigrate his opponent, Joe Biden. In a statement at the time, an ODNI official said Evanina was “incredibly disappointed in the inability of some to protect classified information they are legally obligated to safeguard and instead attempt to use it for partisan gain.”
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Democrats outraged.....since 1850.
“The move has enraged congressional Democrats, who ...” are trying to steal an election
Every time a Democrat is enraged, an angel gets its wings.
Great move! Don’t share with them what we are doing to secure the election so that it isn’t compromised. The democrats and their accomplices will use that information to try and figure out how to get around the security measures as they try to steal the election.
when in the last 5 years, haven’t the dems been outraged by something related to Trump?
It’s a federal election under the auspices of he Executive Branch. Congress is not involved and neither should state governors.
Trump’s team ain’t stupid...it’s the ole fox in the hen house.
Trump is living rent-free in the of the libs
Can’t they read? They are still going to get information, they just have to submit their questions in writing.
Since 1850?....and perhaps earlier: the duel(assassination) of Alexander Hamilton.
The Democrats are always outraged. They are a perpetual outrage machine. When do they even get time to breath?
What’s the point? The Dems aren’t going to do anything to secure the voting.
Dear Congress, particularly the Democrat members:
I realize that reading reports is a problem for you. I feel your pain. Story time is just so much better. So much less work.
But to get you going I recommend the Dick and Jane series of books as a starting refresher course to get you going. Really, you won’t find reading that difficult once get used to it.
“Democrats outraged”
Drink!
Not surprisingly. They have never forgiven Republicans for taking away their slaves.
RATs are always in a state of outrage.
Aren't these the two dipsticks who ran the impeachment scam?
If it is in writing there is no interpretation or misunderstanding of what was said/told to them. IT IN WRITING and will reduce leaked lies about it.... FALSE NEWS.
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