FBI Agrees With CIA That Russia Interfered to Help Trump Win Election

FBI agrees with the CIA's conclusion that Russia interfered in the U.S. election to help Donald Trump win.

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The FBI and the Department of National Intelligence are backing the CIA's conclusion that Russia interfered with the U.S. presidential election in order to help Donald Trump win. Intelligence has since reportedly found evidence directly linking Russian President Vladimir Putin to the election hacking. The Washington Post reports that FBI Director James Comey (who released a letter about Hillary Clinton's email just days before the election) and National Intelligence director James Clapper met this week and agreed they were on the same page as the CIA.

U.S. officials, who reportedly saw the message CIA Director John Brennan sent to the CIA’s workforce, quoted Brennan as saying: “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.” Brennan reportedly 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.”

President Obama, who in October formally accused Russia of being involved in the election hacks against the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton, ordered a full review of election-related hacking last week. The review is due before President Obama leaves office.  

Also in Brennan’s letter he wrote that he’s updated members of Congress on the progress being made in the review and “considerations that need to be taken into account” as the review continues. Brennan noted that although not all Congress members are on board with the review the ones that do “understand and appreciate the importance and the gravity of the issue” and have been “supportive.”

Yesterday President Obama said the U.S. would retaliate against Russia for its election interference and said he has spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the matter.

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