Intelligence Officials Worried Intel on Russian Election Interference Is Being Used for Political Gain

Intelligence officials are reportedly growing worried that partisans on both sides of the aisle are using their briefings on Russian interference in elections for political gain.

NBC News reported on Feb. 20 that President Donald Trump was upset with his acting Director of National Intelligence, Joseph Maguire, for allowing intelligence officials to deliver a briefing to House lawmakers that said Russian operatives were interfering in the upcoming presidential election — and that they want to help him get re-elected.

On Feb. 13, House members were reportedly briefed by Shelby Pierson —an election security official —about Russia’s efforts to interfere in the election and attempt to help Trump get re-elected. But after news broke about the briefing, other intelligence officials claimed that Pierson was misrepresenting what the intelligence showed.

CNN reports that officials say the Russians do not “have a preference” for president, but they “understand the President is someone they can work with.”

Other officials told NBC News that they had seen evidence that Russia would like Trump to be re-elected. However, they have not seen evidence that the Russians are working interfere in the election to help Trump.

Additionally, intelligence officials told Sen.