Former CIA Director John Brennan said he was alarmed at the scope of Russia’s attempt to influence the 2016 elections, so much so that he personally warned one of his Russian counterparts to stop.
Brennan said the intelligence communities worked through the summer and fall of 2016 to gather as much evidence as possible to inform senior U.S. officials, including then-President Obama.
Brennan testified Tuesday that on Aug. 4, 2016, he had a phone call with Alexander Bortnikov, director of Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, and referenced media reports about the emerging body of knowledge about Russia’s efforts to create false media narratives, and other efforts.
“I told Mr. Bortnikov that if Russia had such a campaign underway, it would be certain to backfire. I said that all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, or whom they might support in the election, cherish their ability to elect their own leaders without outside interference or disruption,” Brennan said.
“Finally, I warned Mr. Bortnikov that if Russia pursued this course, it would destroy any near-term prospect for improvement between relations between Washington and Moscow, and would undermine constructive engagement even on matters of mutual interest.”
