McConnell, Rubio defend senior intelligence official over comments on election interference

Leader of the Senate majority Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMnuchin, Meadows take rare weekend trip to Capitol Hill as Republican Party prepares coronavirus package John Lewis’ 7-year-old great nephew calls House civil rights icon ‘my hero’ Blanca, Congress talks about the upcoming coronavirus relief bill as COVID-19 continues to rise. MORE (R-Ky.) And chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee Marco RubioSenators Marco Antonio RubioGOP press for stimulus controls to be carried out on almost 2 million people that the VOA visa decision of excluded Americans could hinder Venezuela’s coverage The Senate GOP criticizes the coronavirus package until next week MORE (R-Fla.) Defended a senior intelligence official over an assessment released on Friday that warned of interference from foreign elections in Russia, Iran and China.

McConnell and Rubio also criticized Democrats for their statement, stating that William Evanina, the director of the National Center for Counterintelligence and Security (NCSC), was not “far enough away to alarm the American people” in the assessment.

“We are disappointed by the senator’s statement [Chuck] Schumer, senator [Mark] Warner, speaker [Nancy] Pelosi and Representative [Adam] Schiff about Bill Evanina, ”Rubio and McConnell said in a joint statement Sunday, referring to the statement released by Democrats on Friday.

“Evanina is a professional intelligence and law enforcement professional with extensive experience in counterintelligence. Her reputation as an immune shooter immune to politics is well deserved, ”they added.

Republicans said the United States is “safer” with Evanina and her on-call team.

“We believe the statement unfoundedly challenges its character and politicized intelligence issues. Their fabricated complaint undermines Director Evanina’s nonpartisan public outreach to increase Americans’ awareness of foreign influence campaigns right at the beginning of their efforts, “they said.

Evanina released a statement on Friday warning that Russia, Iran and China were targeting the US election through disinformation and piracy efforts.

McConnell and Rubio said the threat still persists, but are confident that the United States is “much better prepared than it was four years ago.”

Democrats said Evanina’s statement is “almost meaningless,” adding that “it omits a lot on an issue of immense importance.”

“Almost exactly four years ago, we saw for the first time Russians involved in covert actions designed to influence the presidential race for Donald Trump and sow discord in the United States,” Democrats said. “Now, the Russians are once again trying to influence the elections and divide the Americans, and these efforts must be deterred, interrupted, and exposed.”

According to US intelligence agencies and former special adviser Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) MuellerCNN’s Toobin warns McCabe is in ‘dangerous condition’ with emboldened Trump anchor CNN ripping Trump on Stone as he evokes Clinton-Lynch asphalt meeting The Hill’s 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout PLUS, Russian actors interfered in the 2016 elections by attacking the electoral infrastructure, as well as launching a radical disinformation campaign on social networks in favor of now-President TrumpDonald John Trump Seattle police declare riots amid ongoing protests. Brazilian Bolsonaro says he tested positive for coronavirus. The Reagan Foundation asks the Trump campaign, RNC, to stop using the former president’s name to raise money. PLUS and hacking into the networks of the Democratic National Committee.

Federal officials have recently warned in recent weeks that they expect to see some level of attempted foreign interference in the November presidential election.