Trump’s Spy Chief Nominee Dodges Question About Whether Russians Favored Trump in 2016

President Donald Trump’s nominee to become the director of national intelligence (DNI), Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), says he has not seen evidence to support the Senate Intelligence Committee’s conclusion that Russian operatives favored Trump in the 2016 election.

Ratcliffe, who serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), was asked during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday if he agrees with the Senate’s conclusion that Russia favored Trump in the election.

He responded, “I have no reason to dispute the committee’s findings. I will say, that I have no reason to dispute the committee that I serve on, HPCSI, the House Intelligence Committee’s finding which is a different perspective with regard to that one issue that you mentioned about a preference for a candidate.”

“I was not on the committee at that time. I respect both committees. But I have not seen the underlying intelligence to tell me why there is a difference of opinion between the two committees,” he added.

He continued, “The most important takeaway of the findings I think of both committees is that as Russia continues to sow discord that they have not been successful at changing votes or the outcome of the election, and we need to remain committed to making sure that does not happen in the future.”

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He also said that he believes the potential for Russian interference remains a threat and added that the U.S. must “remain committed to making sure that does not happen in the future.”

In April, the Senate Intelligence Committee released a report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election that found that the Russian government “developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump” as IJR reported. The Intelligence Community also came to a similar conclusion.

In April 2018, the House Intelligence Committee released a report on Russia’s interference in the election. However, members of the committee did not say that the Russian government favored Trump.

Ratcliffe was not a member of the committee at that time. He was named to the committee in early 2019.

During his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe vowed, “Regardless of what anyone wants our intelligence to reflect, the intelligence I will provide, if confirmed, will not be impacted or altered as a result of outside influence.”

He added, “Above all, my fidelity and loyalty will always be to the Constitution and rule of law, and my actions as DNI will reflect that commitment.”