On Friday news broke that FBI Director James Comey and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper have now backed the CIA assessment that Russia interfered with the 2016 election order to help Donald Trump win the presidency.
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James Comey’s support for the CIA’s conclusion indicates that the leaders of the three agencies are now in agreement on Russian’s intentions.
CIA Director John Brennan said in a message to CIA staff, “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.”
The message to CIA staff continued, “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.”
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According to 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.”
