U.S. House Intelligence Committee: CIA and DNI Refuse to Back Up Questionable Russia Claims

The current news cycle is almost entirely about the CIA’s claim that they have evidence of a link between Russia and the leaked emails from Hillary campaign chief John Podesta, Congress has asked the CIA and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) heads to substantiate their public claims in the media.

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes issued the following statement after Intelligence Community agencies declined a request to brief the House Intelligence Committee tomorrow on cyber-attacks during the presidential campaign:

“It is unacceptable that the Intelligence Community directors would not fulfill the House Intelligence Committee’s request to be briefed tomorrow on the cyber-attacks that occurred during the presidential campaign. The legislative branch is constitutionally vested with oversight responsibility of executive branch agencies, which are obligated to comply with our requests. The Committee is vigorously looking into reports of cyber-attacks during the election campaign, and in particular we want to clarify press reports that the CIA has a new assessment that it has not shared with us. The Committee is deeply concerned that intransigence in sharing intelligence with Congress can enable the manipulation of intelligence for political purposes. The Committee will continue its efforts and will insist that we receive all the necessary cooperation from the relevant leaders of the Intelligence Community.”