The Trump administration is apparently doing very little to protect the integrity of American elections from foreign interference, according to one of the country's top intelligence chiefs.
National Security Agency Director and head of US Cyber Command Admiral Mike Rogers testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, where he admitted that Russia has "not paid a price that has significantly changed their behavior" in reference to their meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.
“I haven’t been granted any additional authorities" to take action against Russia or to prevent future election meddling, Rogers told the committee. “I need a policy decision that indicates there is specific direction to do that,” Rogers said. “The president ultimately would make this decision in accordance with a recommendation from the secretary of Defense.”
“Essentially, we have not taken on the Russians yet,” Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) said. Reed then asked Rogers if Russia is "attempting to achieve a strategic objective to influence public opinion on elections?" Rogers responded, "yes sir I believe they are attempting to undermine our institutions."
Roger's testimony is only the latest to come from leaders of the American intelligence community. Earlier this month, all 6 intelligence chiefs acknowledged and confirmed Russia's interference in the 2016 election.
The common denominator? President Donald Trump. He has refused to implement sanctions and Russia he himself signed, and continues to deny that there was any collusion between his presidential campaign and Russia.
Trump appears incapable and unwilling to separate his election victory and Russian election interference, which is endangering the integrity of future elections, including the rapidly approaching 2018 midterms.
He has also claimed former President Barack Obama "did nothing about Russia." Trump can't keep his story straight, and it's threatening the foundations of our democracy.
Trump is facing some pretty harsh criticism on Twitter.
Of course not.
Ouch.
"This failure to protect the sovereignty of our elections is what will get trump impeached in 2019 and imprisoned in 2021," hopes Piece. D. Resistance.
With Democrats seeing increasing chances of regaining control of the US House of Representatives this fall, however, impeachment proceedings are likely, should Democrats prevail.
Rogers is scheduled to retire from his posts in the coming weeks, and whoever the President chooses to replace him still remains uncertain.
