The incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for a congressional investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. election, and said it was “imperative” that the intelligence community handed over relevant information. His statement comes after the Washington Post reported Friday that a secret CIA assessment found that Russian actors had sought to boost President-elect Donald Trump over his opponent, Hillary Clinton.
“Reports of the CIA’s conclusion that Russia actively sought to help elect Donald Trump are simultaneously stunning and not surprising, given Russia’s disdain for democracy and admiration for autocracy. The silence from Wikileaks and others since election day has been deafening,” Schumer said. “That any country could be meddling in our elections should shake both political parties to their core. Senate Democrats will join with our Republican colleagues next year to demand a congressional investigation and hearings to get to the bottom of this. It’s imperative that our intelligence community turns over any relevant information so that Congress can conduct a full investigation.”
Democrats had previously called for more investigation into the cyber-intrusions during the presidential campaign, which included the release of emails from Clinton’s campaign staff and Democratic Party officials. Some GOP lawmakers have also called for congressional hearings on Russian interference, though other Republicans have been skeptical of Russia’s role.