According to a report from The Washington Post, the FBI has come out in support of the CIA’s assessment that says Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump surge to the presidency.
The post says that FBI Director James Comey‘s support for the CIA’s conclusion, along with National Intelligence Director James R. Clapper, suggests that the leaders of the nation’s three intelligence agencies are now in agreement on Russia’s actions. The development tempers earlier reports that the FBI was hesitant to endorse the CIA’s findings.
“The truth is they were never all that different in the first place,” according to an official referring to the FBI and CIA positions.
“Earlier this week, I met separately with (Director) FBI James Comey and DNI Jim Clapper, and there is strong consensus among us on the scope, nature, and intent of Russian interference in our presidential election,” CIA Director John Brennan said according to U.S. officials.
“The three of us also agree that our organizations, along with others, need to focus on completing the thorough review of this issue that has been directed by President Obama and which is being led by the DNI,” Brennan added.
From The Washington Post:
The CIA shared its latest assessment with key senators in a closed-door briefing on Capitol Hill about two weeks ago in which agency officials cited a growing body of intelligence from multiple sources. Specifically, CIA briefers told the senators it was now “quite clear” that electing Trump was one of Russia’s goals, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.
CIA and FBI officials do not think Russia had a “single purpose” by intervening during the presidential campaign. In addition to helping Trump, intelligence officials have told lawmakers that Moscow’s other goal included undermining confidence in the U.S. electoral system.
Brennan added that although many members of Congress understand the severity of the issue, there are still some who are not supportive of the process.
The president-elect however, isn’t thrilled by the thought of an inquiry.
“These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction,” Trump said of the CIA’s assessment.
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