President Trump’s administration is “fully aware” of the threat of Russian interference in the 2018 election cycle, a top intelligence official told lawmakers.
“There obviously is concern about this ongoing effort of Russians to interfere with our elections,” Dan Coats, the director of the Office of National Intelligence, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “The White House is well aware of that, as we all are, and agencies have been tasked to address this.”
Congressional Democrats have accused Trump of neglecting to respond to Russian cyberattacks against the Democratic party in 2016. The accusations have arisen out of his personal distaste for discussing the interference, which he believes has been turned into an excuse for rival Hillary Clinton’s defeat, as well as criticisms of the implementation of Russia-related sanctions and other policy areas.
Shaheen and other lawmakers expressed doubt about that, particularly in light of recent testimony from National Security Agency director Mike Rogers, who said that Trump has not directed him to take any new action to counter Russian election interference.
“We’re taking steps, but we’re probably not doing enough,” Rogers told the committee last week. “I haven’t been granted any, you know, additional authorities, capacity and capability, and — no, that’s certainly true.”
Coats implied Rogers’ comments provide a narrow insight into the government response.
“The NSA, which Admiral Rogers directs, is one component of many agencies that are involved,” he said. “Department of Homeland Security really has taken the lead on this, the White House has been engaged on this; the Department of Defense, other agencies have been engaged on this.”
Trump has given a general mandate, Coats added.
“The president told me to do my job. My job is to oversee the 17 intelligence agencies that we have that provide that intelligence information to the president and to our policy makers,” he said.
