In a session with the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, Mike Pompeo, Dan Coats and Mike Rogers, three top intelligence officials implied that Russia may meddle in the US upcoming midterms. They informed the committee that they had reviewed the evidence and concluded that Russia plans to meddle in the upcoming midterm elections.
Russia is already on Washington’s list for interfering with Trump’s presidential elections in 2016, a claim Russia has denied. The new meddling evidence is part of Russia’s continued cyber-attack efforts to interfere with democracy in America and Europe.
Intelligence from Top Security Officials
Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo during the session said that they have seen Russian activity and objective to have an impact on America’s next election cycle. He had earlier stated that he expected Russia would interfere with the midterm elections. The Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson last week intimated to Fox News that the US was witnessing suspicious Russian activity meddling with elections in the Northern hemisphere. It turns out the allegations are true.
Dan Coats, the Director of National Intelligence said the Russians have a plan that goes well beyond what is happening in the US. He added that Russia has historically tried to meddle in America’s elections and was first successful in 2016. Coats explained that Russia took advantage of social media to render its plans successful not only in America but also throughout Europe. Russia normally disseminates false information using its state-controlled media and bogus online personas to launch anti-US views which widen political divides and influences voters.
Mike Pompeo, Dan Coats, and Mike Rogers the National Security Agency Director all testified in Congress against Russia and its imminent attempt to meddle in the midterm elections. Besides Russia, they backed their report on global threats such as Pakistan and North Korea nuclear advances.
Conclusions to the Select Intelligence Committee
Coats urged the committee to share Russian meddling details with Americans. He stated that it should be a national outcry where Americans should declare that they are not going to allow the Russians to tell them how to vote.
Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, a member of the committee complained that it had been more than a year since America discovered that Russia meddled in the 2016 elections. Despite their knowledge, Trump’s administration has not come up with a clear strategy to punish such culprits. Coats assured him that America is behind the problem and soon it will come up with policies to penalize those who hack the US.
