Former President George W. Bush said Thursday that America should not downplay Russia’s attempts to meddle in the U.S. election.
“Our country must show resolve and resilience in the face of external attacks on our democracy,” Bush said in a speech sponsored by the George W. Bush Institute and others in New York. “And that begins with confronting a new era of cyberthreats.”
“America has experienced a sustained attempt by a hostile power to feed and exploit our country’s divisions,” he said. “According to our intelligence services, the Russian government has made a project of turning Americans against each other. This effort is broad, systemic, and stealthy. It’s conducted a range of stealthy media platforms.”
George W. Bush on Russian election interference: “This effort is broad, systemic, and stealthy…but ultimately, this effort won’t succeed.” pic.twitter.com/PosppNVMys— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) October 19, 2017
“Ultimately, this assault won’t succeed,” he added. “But foreign aggressions, including cyberattacks, disinformation, and financial influence should never be downplayed or tolerated.”
Bush’s remarks could be read as a shot against President Trump, who has said Democratic complaints about Russia are just an excuse they are using for Hillary Clinton’s loss against Trump last year.
