Electoral College Electors Demand Intelligence Briefing On Russia Election Interference

Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 09:40 pm

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A group of Electoral College electors sent a letter Director of National Intelligence James Clapper demanding an intelligence briefing on Russia’s interference with the 2016 election before they vote on December 19.

In the letter, ten electors requested an intelligence briefing before they vote:

The Electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations. We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr. Trump is fit to serve as President of the United States.

Additionally, the Electors will separately require from Donald Trump conclusive evidence that he and his staff and advisors did not accept Russian interference, or otherwise collaborate during the campaign, and conclusive disavowal and repudiation of such collaboration and interference going forward.

The electors also made reference to Federalist 68, “We further emphasize Alexander Hamilton’s assertion in Federalist Paper #68 that a core purpose of the Electoral College was to prevent a “desire in foreign powers to gain an improper ascendant in our councils.” The United States intelligence community has now concluded with “high confidence” that a foreign power, namely Russia, acted covertly to interfere in the presidential campaign with the intent of promoting Donald Trump’s candidacy. During the campaign, Russia actively attempted to influence the election outcome through cyber attacks on our political institutions and a comprehensive propaganda campaign coordinated through Wikileaks and other outlets.”

The president-elect made the scandal worse by completely dismissing the findings of the CIA that Russia meddled in the election to help Trump win as ridiculous. Trump’s denial has triggered a group of bipartisan Senators who are pushing for an investigation, and Electoral College electors who want answers before they vote in a week.

The Russia scandal is not going to go away. If Trump does take office, the investigations are going to happen. The Trump administration can’t sweep the findings of seventeen intelligence agencies under the rug.

Donald Trump has a mushrooming scandal on his hands that, if it doesn’t stop his presidency, will be a dark cloud that will follow his every move for the next four years.

The electors want answers, and they may stop Trump if they get them.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association