Reports: Intelligence official warned lawmakers that Russia was interfering in 2020 to help Trump

Source: USA Today

February 21, 2020 at 04:43

Russia interfered in the 2016 election in an attempt to boost Trump to victory. The interference led to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

WASHINGTON – Election intelligence officials warned lawmakers that Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign with a goal of getting President Donald Trump re-elected, according to several media reports.

First reported by the New York Times, the February 13 briefing led to Trump reprimanding Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, and accused him of being disloyal after aide Shelby Pierson told lawmakers aggressive Russian actors were continuing election-intrusion from 2016.

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Trump was reportedly especially displeased that House Intelligence Chairman, Adam Schiff, D-Calif., was included in the briefing, for fear that the congressman would try to use it to undermine the president during his re-election,according to the New York Times.

Schiff led the impeachment proceedings against Trump.

Pierson addressed Russia's overall efforts, including weaponizing social media, hacking, and diminishing election infrastructures, according to reports. She was not well perceived by House lawmakers who are loyal to Trump, according to CNN.