Former CIA Director John Brennan describes Russian interference in 2016 election as “brazen”, confirms “interactions” between Trump campaign and Moscow.
(NBC News) Testifying before the House Intelligence Committee Tuesday, former C. I. A. Director John Brennan called the Russian interference in the 2016 election “brazen.”
“It should be clear to everyone that Russia brazenly interfered in 2016 election process and they undertook these activities despite our strong protests and explicit warning that they not do so, ” Brennan said.
“They amplified a lot of fake news stories that tried to denigrate Secretary Clinton, ” he explained.
Brennan also described contact between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.
“I saw interaction aware of interaction that raised questions in my mind about what was the true nature of it. But I don’t know – I don’t have sufficient information to make a determination, ” he said when asked if there was “collusion” between Russia and the Trump campaign.
Meanwhile, senior intelligence officials say President Trump asked two top intelligence chiefs Dan Coats and Mike Rogers in March to publicly state there was no collusion. Both refused.
Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee, National Intelligence Director Dan Coats refused to confirm or deny those reports.
“I don’t feel it’s appropriate to characterize discussions and conversations with the president, ” said Coats.
