GOP Senator Pushes Russian Conspiracy Theory Then Admits He Blew Off Intel Briefing

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) pushed a Russian conspiracy theory then admitted to blowing off a briefing debunking the conspiracy theory.

Don't Miss Sarah Jones's Essay On Kristi Noem Titled Predatory Is The Point On The Daily.

Transcript via Meet The Press:

CHUCK TODD:

Were you, were you —

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY:

Now, is there, is there meddling — I’m sorry.

CHUCK TODD:

No, no, no, were you briefed —

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY:

Go ahead.

CHUCK TODD:

— by the intelligence — according to the New York Times a couple of weeks ago, U.S. senators were briefed after Fiona Hill’s testimony that actually this entire effort to frame Ukraine for the Russian meddling of 2016, of which you, you just made this case that they’ve done it, that actually this is an effort of Russia propaganda, that this is a Russian intelligence propaganda campaign in order to get people like you to say these things about Ukraine.

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY:

Uh-huh.

CHUCK TODD:

They’re trying to frame Ukraine. You apparently were briefed about this in the United States Senate by intelligence officials. Are you at all concerned you’re doing Russian intelligence work here?

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY:

I was not briefed.

CHUCK TODD:

You didn’t attend that briefing?

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY:

And now, listen, doctor —

CHUCK TODD:

You didn’t attend a briefing on that?

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY:

No. And doctor —

Video:

Sen. Kennedy pushed the debunked Russian conspiracy theory that it was really Ukraine who interfered in the 2016 election for Hillary Clinton. When Chuck Todd called him out on it, the Senator from Louisiana admitted that he did not attend the briefing where the Ukraine conspiracy theory was debunked.

Trump has spread the distrust of facts, which was already present in the Republican Party to doubting the necessity of briefings. Republicans are choosing to ignore reality and believe conspiracy theories.

Republicans have happily sold themselves out to Russia.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook

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