04.22.20.+--+Russian+Interference in 2016 Presidential Election

Home , Adam Serwer, Aleksey Pushkov, CyberBerkut, Dozhd, Fancy Bear, Political campaign

Hickey, Adam (NSD)

From: Hickey, Adam (NSD) Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 4:53 PM To: Lan, Iris (ODAG) Subject: FW: Russia Cover Attachments: Russia Cover.pdf; wMassimo_ released.pdf

1-iave not read.

From: Laufman, David (NSD) Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 4:51 PM To: T oscas, George (NSD); Hickey, Adam (NSD) Subject: FW: Russia Cover

fyi

From: Calabresi, Massimo - Time U.S. [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 4:43 PM To: Laufman, David (NSD); Raimondi, Marc (OPA) Subject: Russia Cover

David, Marc,

I'll drop off some copies oft he magazine tomorrow, but in t he meantime, attached are pdfs of t he cover image and the story. I hope you find it interesting.

Best,

Massimo --Massimo Calabres.i

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5327 Document ID: 0.7.24125.5327-000001 r HACKINCampaign 2016

WHAT’S BEHIND RUSSIA’S EFFORT TO INFLUENCE THE U.S. ELECTION

BY MASSIMO CALABRESI THE theleadersoftheU.s.government, int igll cn comm unityk nowsa bout th l ctr icity grid, transportation s c tor including th Pr ids ntand h is to p th ira ctiviti wsou ld h pA lm icrans and n y rgn wtorksi sv uln bral national-s curity adv is ,rs fa c an und rstandandr p onds pr ud ntly to an y to fi rst str ik ; soth rssay atta cks on unpr c d ntil ddmma.S inc th p rings, disruptions thatm ightta k plac b w t pnrivat comp ani , stos ck xchang ands U.S .i nt igll cn and la w- nforc m ntnow and th clos of th polls .S iorn th m iad co uld aff ct th conom y. ag cin havs s monunt ing idv cn Ju stic D partm ntoffici als hav argu dS r io n int igll cn fficioals v worrny ofan ac tiv Russ ian in flu c n po ration in favor of call ing ou t th Russ ians, and about Ru ssia xposing U .S.s pionag targ ingt th 2016p r ids intal clt ion. that pos ition has b chon fordc ullfy op rations in r taliation.A nd wh il U.S. It is v yu rnlik y lth Russ ians co uld outsid ofgov rnm bynt lawmak andrs officials hav “high con fid cn ” that sway th actu al vot count ,b caus our form rtop national-s curity officials from Russia is b indh w hat th y d crsib as clt ion infrastr uctur is d c ntraliz dboth pol itical part i . s a ma jor in flu cn po ration, s iorn U.S . and vot ing ma chin ars not a cc ibssl Unfortunat y, lt ’si not that si mpl . officials t TIME,ll th ir idv cn would from th Int rn. tBut th yc an so w Th Pr ids ntand s v ofral his c los stnot y standt upi n co urt. disruption and insta bilityup to, and on , national-s curity advis arrs c onc rn d A ndso wi th fiv w k s to go , th Whit El ction Da y, mor than a do z sn ior n about th dang ofr a confrontat ion H ous is, forno w, l ingtt v unfoldnts.O n U.S. offi cials t llTIME, ndu rmining in th n w and ungov rn worldd of on sid, U.S . law- nforc m agnt cin s faith in th r ults and in d mocracyi ts . lf cyb prsac , and th y arg u that w hil ar cramsblingto uncov rth xt ntofth Th qu iston, d bat dat m ultipl th U.S. has p ow urflo ff insv and Russian op ration,c ount itr and hard n m i ngst at th Whi t Hou s ,i s ho w d f iv ns capa biliti ths ,r an calatsing th countr y’s clt ion i n frastructur .O n aggr issv y lto r ponds to th Russ ian confrontation carr i ssign ificant ri sks. th oth , amr urky n wtork of Ru ssian op ration.Pub licly naming and sham ing National Su crityC ouncilo fficials warn hack rsand th ir asso ciat is st pping th Russ ians and d crsibing w hat th thato ur critical i nfrastr uctur i nc luding up th pac ofl ksa ofstol doncu m nts PHOTOGRAPH BYLANDON NORDEMAN FOR TIME

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designed toffec at pub lic opi nion and On Se p t. 22, the ranking Demo crats on give the impress ion that thection ele is the Senate and Hous e Intell igence Com - vulnerable,i ncluding emails from them ittees ,C alifornia’s Sienator Danne Fein- computers of D theemoc ratic atNional ste in and Re presentative Adam Sc hiff, Committee (DNC). eanMwhile, the FBI released an unus uallyb lunt statement. alerted all 50 states to the dangerinm id- “Based on brie fings w e have ce ireved, August, and the states haveivered del we have conc luded that Ru thessian in - evidence of “si agnific ant” nu mber oftell igence agencies are ki mang aio serus newi ntrusions intothe irele ctions ystems and concertede ffortto influ encethe .S U. thatthe bureau andthe ir colleagues atthe ele ction,” they said.“A t the ,least this - ef Department ofHomeland S“e curity are fort is intendedtoso w doubta boutthese - still yi trng tounderstand ,” a department cu rity ofo urele ction.”O rdersfor Russian official tells TIME. intelligenceagen ciesto conductele ctoral- All ofwhic h makes Donald Tr ump’s iunflenceo perations, the y added,c ould repeated insertionofh imself intotheU .S.- come only fromver y seniorlevels ofgov- Russiastor y allthemorestartl ing.T rump ernment. “We callon [Russian]P resident has pra ised Pu tind uring the camp aign, [Vladimir] Putin toimmed iately order and at fitherst p residential debate, a halt toisa c tthivity.” he T statement, on Se p t. 26, he isad it w asn’t clear the tho ugh not endorsed publicl yby the Ad - Russians were beh indthe DNC hack.Bu t ministration,w as cleared wi th the CIA. theU .S.i ntelligence community has “h igh T o un derstand wh yPu tin wo uld want confidence” that Ru ssian intell igence to under cut the it ilegmacy of the .S. U services were infa ctres ponsible, multiple election,i t helps topb steack from the intelligenceandnat ionalse curity officials longand ugl yp residential cam paignand tell TIME. r uTmpw as informed of thatremem ber wh yw e’re voting in the first assessment udring acent re class ified place.E lections are u theltimate usorce intelligence b riefing, a SU .. official of u athorityi no ur democracy. e Bcause familiar withthemattertells TIME.“I do Republicans and Demo crats have agreed not comment on informat ion I re ceive in for decades that pread sing democracyi s intelligence br iefings, ho wever, no body good for yeverone,A merica has pushed HillaryC linton in particular ofmeddling knows wi th definitive certa inty that iths for free andir elefactions around the in Ru ssia’s pres idential election in 2012. was in c fat Ru ssia,”T rump told TIMEi n world.A ndman y nations have bra emced Hehas pub liclyqu estionedtheval idity of a statement. t“I mayb e, but it may also them:p easants in the Balk ans pu t on pastU .Sp. res identialele ctions, saying, on be Ch ina, another country or individual.” their S u n dayb est to go p toolls, theand June 17, ofthe Electoral College,“Y ouc all burqa-clad women in Afghan istan brave thatdemo cracy?”N ow, experts y,Pu sa tin Russia’s inteRfeRence in the .SU. terroristatta cks to stand inl ine forho urs ise xpandingh isant i-American campaign election is an xtraord e inary es calation to cast their ballots . into cyb erspace.“M ore thanan y attempt of an alreadyw orrying trend.O ver the Not u rsprisingly, quasi-authoritarian to get coneandidate or another cted ,ele past 2½ ears y, Russia has xecu eted aru lers in the former S oviet Union, latter- this [Russian influenceo peration]i sa bout westward march ofct eleion meddling cday ommunists in Ch ina and imedeval discrediting the ire ent idea ofa free and through cyberspace, starting inthe states theo crats in the Middle E ast, among fairele ction,” says Dm itriA lperovitch,c o- of the former Sov iet Union and imovng many others , see Amer ica’s sometimes fo under and chief c tehnology officer of toward the North Atlant ic.“O n au larreg aggressiveevangel isma boutthe bene fits CrowdS trkie, the cyb erse curityc ompany basis they tr y to in fluence elections in of ib leral democracy as aire cdt threatthat id d the y analsis ofthe DNC hack. Europe,” resPident Ob ama told NBC to theiro wn cla ims touthor aity. Putin N o one knowsthat betterthan Arizona Newson July26.Wi th Russiaesta blishing has ktaen part icular um brage, accu sing secretary of state Michele Reagan .O ne beachheads intheU .S. atleasts ince April, the .S U.and former Secr etary of State dayi n Ju ne she was in her backy ard in officials worr y that in the final wee ks of Phoenixw henshegota callfromher chief the cam paignthe Ru ssian cyberc apability ofsta ff.“A re yo u sittingdo wn?” heas ked. could be used tofiddle wi th voter ,rolls The FBI had been monitoring caorner election-re portings ystemsandthemed ia, THE REALIZATION of the -c alledso darkw eb, the network resulting in conf usion that could cast aTHATWE FACEA MAJOR ofh idden ites s used byc riminals tobuy shadow over boththe next Pres identand CYBERINFLUENCE and sell ugs dr,p edophilic ornogra p phy the democraticp rocess. and stolen ident ities.A group ofha ckers Ob ama’s decision not call to u ot theOPERATION HAS LITA FIREknown colle ctively as Fan cyB ear,w hich Russianes pionageo perationhassofarleft UNDER NATIONAL- theU .S. government believes is c ontrolled thee fforttoed ucate Americansa bout itto by Russian imlitaryi ntelligence,w as lawmakers andnat ional-se curity experts. SECURITYOFFICIALS trying to sell user a name pandassword

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DmitriAlperovitchisaco founderof CrowdStrike,whichuncoveredFancy Bear’shacksofDemocraticcampaig n committeeslastsummer

capacity than anybodyb oth ﬀ oensively and defensively,”Ob ama isad.

Putin’s histoRy of u s ing in fluence operations against pp oonents b egins, appropriately eno ugh, with imselfh . As he was i sring quick ly thro ugh the Kremlin ranks in 1999, one ofhis main opponents,P rosecutor G eneral Yu ri S kuratov w, as ca ught on pe ta having xse with w to women in a hotel in room what Sku ratov later claimed was Puati n-run espionage p oerationtrad itionallyk nown as “ ahone y trap.” Putin,w ho had isen r from S atovie -era KGB operative to head the country’s intell igenceserv ices, denied he was beh ind it bu t isad on TV that i sh agentshad confirmedthatthe man inthe grainy vi deo w as S ku ratov. Pu tin w ent on towin the pres idency the next year . Skuratov,w ho ran inst aga i mh, got less than 1% ofthe po pular vote. Wi th the xpans eion ofthe Internet in the decade that wfolloed, the Ru ssians adopted cyb erw eapons as astandardtool of political meddling.N owhere has ir the tactic of p reads ing chaos around a vote been clearerthan inU kraine,w herethree days before the pres idential election on that belonged to someone in an A rizona c ount itself is safe.“W e have confi dence May25, 2014, the c om puter y stemss of county ele ction ffici oal’so ffice,w hich intheoverall integrity ofo urele ctorals ys- the Central Ele ctoral Comm ission went holdsthe personaldataofalmost 4 million tems ,” H o meland Secu rityc hief Jeh John- dark.“T he servers wouldn ’tt urnon .T he people.“Myfi rst reaction was ,W ell, this sonsa idon Sept . 16.“I t isd iverse, subject links tothelo calele ctiona uthorities were isl ike the worst ithng that youw ant totolo cal control , andhasman yc hecksand cuto ff,” sa ys Vic tor Zhora , di rector of hear,”R eagan c realls. balances bui lt in.” Ea ch ofthe .S Us .’ morethe cyb erse curity rm fi Infosafe ,w hich Reagan and FBI the scram bled tofig- than 9,000p olling pla ces uses machines had been i redh to defend y stemthe. s ure u ot how the Ru ssians had gotten not c onne cted to I nternetthe ,p recincts “Literally, nothing wor ked.” into Ar izona’ss ystem and what needed co unt and port re their results inde pen- A s Z hora and is h team wor ked to be done cutore iset.I tt urned u ot that ,dentl y andmosthave pa perorele ctronic successfully to restore ythestem sint ime an election ffici oal inr ural Gi la Co unty, backups in case acou rent is needed. for the , vote theyb ecame conv inced that pop. 54,000, had p oened W aord docu- The A dministration has a messagethe colle ctive beh ind the ck, ha no kwn ment on herdesktopc omputer that con- for Ru ssia too.T he .SU. has pr ivately as Cyb erB erkut,w as a front Russ forian tained malicious software.F ortunately, warnedthatan y efforttos way theele ction security serv ices.T he malware that while Fan cyB ear had penetrated acal lo would be una cceptable,i ntelligence andcrashed the ystem s w as not i laavable computer y stems ,i t hadn’ta ccessed the other Adm inistration ffici oals tell TIME. on the k maret and bhadeen bui lt from statewide registration database.O thers Se cr etary of State John Kerr y delivered scratch.A nd the ffe cet of theck atta weren’t soucky.F l ancyB ear’s electronic the message i sto co u nterh part,Ru ssian supported Ru ssia’s strategic goal of fingerprints were ufond on thecki nto ha Foreign Minister SergeLi avrov,i n Laoson undermining the id vality ofthe election. the mDNCc oputers.I n Ill inois, the feds Ju ly27.Du ringa 90-minutemeet ing with The hackers co uld have ipumanlated foundthat FancyB earhadstolen 85,000 Putinonthes idelinesofthe G-20 meeting the u otcome of the,Z votehora ysas, voterre cordsfromthatstate ’sreg istration on Sep t. 6,Ob ama pulled Pu tinas ideand but “the ir main goal was tokeo taut the systems inm id-July. ater L that month, discussedthe cyb er c oncernsone -on-one, system itself , to destroy the data, to wip e the Demo craticC ongressional Cam paign with no ides a present , a W hite H ouse out the hardives bdrefore the ct ieleons Committee (DCCC) revealed that it, too , official tells TIME.I na press conferen ce started.” oreoverM , the Cyb erB erkut had been hacked byF ancyB ear. later, the Pres ident calledforrestra inton efforts pp aeared tobe coord inated wi th

Withotherstatesno w reporting intru- all ides s in the use ofcyberw eapons andRu ssian state prop aganda.Z hora and s ionsof unknownor igin, thegovernment issued ailed ve threat bou at Amer ica’s his team pp stoed aubse squent ﬀ eort by

STEPHEN VOSS FOR TIME TIME FOR VOSS STEPHEN wants toreassurethe pub lic thatthevote cyberp owers. “Frankly, ew’ve got more Cyber B erkut topost false ing vot results 33

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ontheele ction commission’s we bsite that Br itish w,la as yisang the GCHQ had of u or election y stems ,” sa ys one ior sen would have w shoed a-r ifarght imlitant blocked Ruass ian attempt toisr updt U .S.i ntelligenceo fficial, “p otentially to ahead in the polls . Butas creenshot ofthe M ay7, 2015, general election there. Russia that’sa pl us. But Iw ould argue the kfae we bp age pp aeared anyway on The Times sa id Fan cy ear B planned tomore strongly that iths is asuc ham bout Russia’s main state-run news network as target government servers andjor TV ma domesticc onstituents andh is pub lic,” the the vote was i stll igong on. broadcasters. But not allions stat w ere official ysas.T he more chaos in Eu rope Russia has also meddled in the to hbe it.I n the fall 2 014,of the pro - and the .S., Uthe better . elections ofjor ma .S U. all ies that haveMos cowRT network,w hich isf unded by imposed sanctions on Russ ia for its the Kreml in, la unched 24-aho ur news Putin has shown little i gns ofp- sto invasion ofUkraine, and many of the net worki n the .K. Uai med atBrit ish ping, even whenmeddl ing isd iscovered. Russian cyb ero perations have bene fited viewers.T he message, Russiae xperts In Ap ril, the DNC suspected it had been populist, ant i-immigrant p arties that sa y, s i that Western democracyi s not sohack ed and called in the cyberforens ics oppose W estern Eu ropean u nityi n hot. t“I’sa cy nical message:N o one is firm CrowdS ktrie,w hich was co -founded the cfae ofising r Ru ssian aggression. democratic,” says Peter Kre ko, an xp eert in 2011byA lperovitchandem ploysan um- In Au gust, as pear-p hishing -maeil on the Euro pean i ghtr and i saiting v b er offormer government cyberse curity attack targeted G erman part y offici als, professor Iatndiana University. experts.C rowdStrkie was familiar wi th including some members ofChan cellor T he most pessi misticK remlin wat ch- FancyB ear:i t had prev iously found the Angela M erkel’s C hristian D emocrats. ers worr y how far Pu tin wi ll gowith thegro up’sha cks in Canada,J apanandthefor - The emails conta ined malware that bore combination ofpsychological manipula- mer S ovietre public of Georgia.I t identifies the ignat s ures ofFancyB ear, acc ording t ionand cyber warfare.T hey view the pat- the groupb ased on Ru thessians ’u nique to German y’s pto cyberdefense ffici oal, utern ofRssia’s electoral meddling inthe cybertrade craft,i ncludingnon publicc ode Arne S c hö nbohm,w ho warnedon S9ept. contextof Putin’s c reentem braceof what in its malware,i ts infrastr ucture ofserv- that the ck atta o ucld be an attempt tois kno wn as Gtheerasi mov doctrine, a ers around the world and thechniqu tees manipulate p arliamentary ele ctions nontraditional pp aroachto i mlitaryc on- that it uses to move ide and wi th ihn the next year.M erkelhad prev iously ordered flict named after c htheiefofthe Ru ssian systems it p enetrates.A fter inspectingthe German intell igence agencies tok loo generalsta ff,V aleryG erasimov, thatrel ies DNCc omputers,A lperovitch con cluded into Ru ssia’s peddl ing of a falsey heav storily on cyberw arand influenceo pera- thattheha ckw as indeede xecuted by the abouta Ru ssian i rlg praed by m igrants tions.“Ap erfectly thrivingstate can ,i na Russians.A nd while Cro wd S ktrie usually in German yastor y thathas helpedf uel matterofmonthsandevenda ys,b etrans - keeps its find ingsse cret, the DNC toldthe ther iseofther ight-wingo pposition party formed intoanarenaof fierce armed con- companyi t waso utragedthatthe Russians AfD. hat T part yb eat M erkel’s Chr istian flic t,”G erasimov posited inano w famous weretr yingto interfere wi tho ur political Democrats in ai onalreg ballot in the2013 man ifesto, thro ugh “p olitical, ec o- system, and “theyw anted us ctoomefor - Chancellor’s homed istrict in Se ptember. mnoic,i nformational, humanitarian andw a rd,”A lperovitch ysas. Farther w est,i n Fran ce, a Ru ssian other nonmilitary meas ures pp alied in Twelve hours after DNCb the reak-in bankwi th close ies t to K theremli n lentcoord ination wi th the protest potent ial wasrevealed in June, aha cker who insisted the far-right p arty of M arine L e P en ofthe po pulation.” he was Roman ianand who calledh imself some 9 m illion ueros in N ovember That is howPu tin stoked aparat seist Guccifer 2.0p opped up online and ied tr 2014, hel ping it p repare for i onalreg rebellion in eastern kra Uine in 2014. to i sdcredit Cro wdS ktrie’s attribution to elections yaear later,w hen it creeived But the current and former ior sen Russianm ilitaryi ntelligence.Gucci fer 2.0 its best results ever. Russia also ied tr intelligence and ionalnat-se curity started leaking informat ion from the a more ub tles informat ion poeration officials i nterviewed for is th story DNC ha cki n blog posts and Twi ontter , designed touel f the i-i ant mmigrant agree that ptherincip al bene fit Pu tin buth is professed ident ityw asn’t very and national-se curity fears that havegains from is W h estern Eu ropean andconv incing.W hen p reorters reached u ot contributed toLe Pn e ’sr ise.I n Ap ril U.S. meddl ing is the up leg tg ii ves i mh to imonl h ine, fore xample, theres ponses 2015, the programm ing of Ftherench with i soh wn pol itical and iplomat d ic he sent in R oman ian were iddled r wi th broadcaster TV5M onde was blo cked by challenges at home. n“I the longun, rerrors. U.S. governmento fficials pr ivately unknown hackers, and for 18 ho urs theif peo ple start qu toestion the integr ity confirmthatthe yb elieve Fan cyB earand channel’s we bsites transmitted only the Russian imlitaryi ntelligence are behi nd image ofthe ignat sure bla ckfl ag ofIS.IS the DNC and DCCC hacks. French intell igenceo fficials and the The p ace ofk slea has ccelerated a British i gnalss -i ntelligence agency, the as the ct eleion pp aroaches, reveal ing a GCHQ, found it was not ISbuIS t in c fat THE PACE OFLEAKS HASmurky net work of c torsa.A round the Fancy ear B that was beh ind the ck, ha ACCELERATED ASTHE time of DNC the ha ck, a we bsite called according to Se pat. 25 artic le by the DC leaks.net w a s established by a group London SundayTimes and .S U. offici als. ELECTION APPROACHES, identifying themselves “ha asckt ivists.” aBritin, too , has been targeted.T he REVEALING A MURKY ByJu ne the upb gro egan post ing ckhaed Times article qu oted Dav id Anderson , an documents,i ncludingema ilsfromret ired independent wat chdog pp aointed under NETWORKOFACTORS General P hilip reedloveB , the former

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commander ofNATO and .S U. for ces in IN TRUMP, PUTIN HASEe l ctoral C ollege made u agh ingsto la ck Europe, asking former S ecr etar y of State o u t ofo ur nation ,”T r u m p tw eeted .“T he Colin Po well how to pers uade Ob ama toFOUND AN ALMOST world isla ughingat us.M orevotese quals morefor cefully oppose Ru ssianmeddl ing PERFECT, IFUNWITTING, a loss ... revol ution!T hi s elec ti on isa inU kraine. total sham and ay. travest eW are not a I nitially, there w as no iden evce ofa ALLYFOR HIS democracy!” connection between DCleaksand Russian INFLUENCE OPERATION C li nton hasid saPu ti n i s yitrng to hackers, and even wi not is not clear who get Tr u m p ele c ted ; there is no iden evce is beh ind the ite.I sn late June , ho wever, of that.T rump does have some ies t Guccifer 2.0 onta ccted the web site the to Ru ssia.T rump’s former cam paign Smoikng Gu n and prov ided it wi th a manager w orked for Puti n’s p roxy n i link to material from DNC the ha ck that cyberand counterespionagefor ces wi ll be Ukraine unt il the pro-W estern up rising DCleaks w as pre paring topubh lis.I n looking “tosee ifthere ’san ything coming there, and Trump, hisfam ily andafore ign re cent w eeks, DCleaks has pub lished from overseas or evenic alldomesty that policy adviserhave done tens illi onsofm new ema ils belong ing toPow ell,w hich looksl ike an ffort e to target ction ele of dollars bu ofsiness in Ru ssia.T he included damaging remarksa bout offices,” says George W.Bu sh’s Homeland exact amount is un clear, and Tr ump has Clinton, even though the overall ist ofgSe curityc hief,Mic hael Chertoff.T he FBI declinedto is dclose details ofhis Ru ssian his emails was upp sortive.A nd creently, haso penedaformal investigation intothe business partners . the ite s pub lished what purportedto bea DNC,DCCC,A rizona and Illino is hacks The i nlks w orry even ck-roribbed copy of Michelle Ob ama’s pass port. iBut wththeele ctionfasta pproaching, Republicans.C hertoff led the Senate T he leaks tend to i solatfavorion ist some xp eerts in and ut o ofgovernment W hitewater invest igation ofBill and policies over onesimed a atconfront ing say the A dministration is moving too Hi llaryC linton’so bscure Ar kansas land Russia.T he Breedlove leaks showed an slo wly to pub licize the Russ ian influ ence deal inthe i md-’90s andhas been cri tical embarrassing and unsucc essfule ffort toop eration and xpla ein it toAmer icans. ofthe Demo craticp residential cand idate. build .S U .-led pu shback aga inst Ru ssia A bipartisan group of former ional nat- But he is alarmed by r uTmp’s talk of a inU kraine.T he DNC documents,w hich seucrity officials that inclu ded Cherto ff rigged election. “This bu siness b aout made their w ay to WikiL eaks through and others called on Obama in Ju ly to talking b aoutr igged elections is very unknown channels ,w eakened Pu tin’s name the perp etrators ofthe DNC hack. dangerous,”C hertoff says. old foe,C linton, on the eve ofAl ptheerovit ch ysas the .Si. Usm isreading O n the ground in A rizona, Michele Democratic atNional Convent ion.A nd the battle field in cyb erspace. “The .S U. Reagan, a Re publican, has been wor king DCleaks cla imedthat its bi ality to b otain government for the 20y lastears was soto make the vote.S hesafe took the the Fi rst Lad y’s pass port demonstrated fo cusedonho w to c haieve kinet ic effects entire state voter base data ffli one for U.S. vu lnerability to terrorism. in cyb erspace, ho w to p roduce w hat 10 da ys after learning ofthe FancyB ear Putin has done what he can toin ma- theyc all cyb erbombs,b ecause that’s hack to ensure the ystem s w as cusere. tain deniability.A sked byB loomberg TV what w e’re used ,”to he ysas. “But the In conversat ions wi th the FBI and her on Sept . 2w hether Russia was beh indthe Russians understand that the po wrealer own cyb erse curity team she has learned DNC hack, hesa id,“I don’t know anything ofth is domain is in influenceo perations, phrases ik le SQLinjection and dual factor about that.”Bu t he seemed iri ngadm,i f psychological warfare ,c hanging people’s authentication. “Y es,w e bel ieve w e’re not pro ud, of Fan cyB ear’s wor k. “They perceptions ofwhat’s u trly going on.” safe,” she now says. work so ucmhl ike fine jew elers, so del- T hat doesn’t mean i shesn’t w orried icately, that theyc an leave ir the tracks, foR much of the summeR, Trump a bout Russianattem ptsto underminethe or someone ’s else tracks, at just the ight r made cast ingdo ubtonthe validity ofthe credibility ofthe vote.“W e kno w there’s place and justthe ight r ime t in order toU.S. ele ctorals ystema prominentfeat ure these bada ctorso uttherethatare coming camouflage their wor k and make it look ofh is cam paign.“I’ mafra idthe election’s in from other countr ies and y’ there like the work ofsome otherha ckers from gonna ber igged,”T rump said in Oh io on tryi ng tocare s us ,” she ysas. “This isn ’t somewhere else, some other countr y.” Aug. 1. have “ I tob e honest.” r uTmp about stealing informat ion or ialterng In fa ct,i tm ight ktae a realjewel backers who ign s up to be “T rumpE lec- information.T he entire conversat ion I thief or any of arm them igto the r tio n Ob servers” are told ctheampa ign believe needs be to ishfted towhat iths U.S.p residential nele ctio.B ecause they will “sto pc rooked Hi llary from igg ring is really do ing to c theonfiden ce of the are not conne ctedto the Internetandare this election.” American electorate.” oesD she have controlled by thousands ofindependent A sked at fitherst debate w hether a message Aformeric ans on w hoto precincts, U.S. vot ingma chinesarelargel y theyw ould upp sort the utc omeo of theresp ond toPuti n’se ffort?“Ou r jo bi s to safe from meddling, sa ys M erle Ki ng, vote,b oth cand idates isad theyw ould. try to encourage peo ple to i nvolvedget executive iredctor ofKennesa wS tate But Tr ump has acord re ofing do the andto be conne cted ingovernment , to go University’s Centerfor Elections Sy stems. poposite.A s res ults came in on ct ieleon outandvote .” Withreportingby simon The feds havepushed u ot pat ches for ni ght in 2012, he falsely tweeted that theshUster/ Berlin and tessa Berenson, knownv ulnerabilities instate com puters Republican had won the popu lar vote hale y s weetland edwards and and ff oered cuserity sc ans.A merica’s and u rged an upri sing. “The p honey mayarhodan /washington • 35

31 1 0.60_wmassimo.indd 6 9/28/1 6 6:40 PM TIME RIGHT PAGE STORY SLUGS: SEQUENCE: 6 of 6 DESIGNER (b) (6) wMassimo GUIDE#: 3160 REMARKS: ISSUE DATE: 10/10/16 SECTION:WELL IN PAGE

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5327-000002 Raimondi, Marc (OPA)

From: Raimondi, Marc {OPA) Sent: Friday, October 7, 2016 3:23 PM To: Hickey, Adam NSD ; Carlin, John (NSD}; Toscas, George {NSD}; McCord, Mary NSD ; • • • - 1 NSD); Weinsheimer, Bradley (NSD); laufman, David (NSD); 1 NSD); Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA); Cheung, Denise (OAG); Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG); Axelrod, Matthew (ODAG); Lewis, Kevin S. (OPA) Subject: Going out a ny minute. Here is the statement. And q and a. Very strong Attachments: Election Security Statement and QAs - Vers 18 - CLEAN.DOCX; ATT00001.txt

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5348 The U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC) is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions,including from US political organizations. The recent disclosures of alleged hacked e-mails on sites DCLeaks.com like and WikiLeaks and by the Guccifer 2.0 online persona are consistent with the methods and motivations of Russian-directed efforts. These thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the US election process. Such activity is not new to Moscow the Russians have used similar tactics and techniques across Europe and Eurasia,for example,to influence public opinion there. We believe,based on the scope and sensitivity of these efforts,that only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorized these activities.

Some states have also recently seen scanning and probing of their election-related systems,which in most cases originated from servers operated by a Russian company. However,we are not now in a position to attribute this activity to the Russian Government. The USIC and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assess that it would be extremely difficult for someone,including a nation-state actor,to alter actual ballot counts or election results by cyber attack or intrusion. This assessment is based on the decentralized nature of our election system in this country and the number of protections state and local election officials have in place. States ensure that voting machines are not connected to the Internet,and there are numerous checks and balances as well as extensive oversight at multiple levels built into our election process.

Nevertheless,DHS continues to urge state and local election officials to be vigilant and seek cybersecurity assistance from DHS. A number of states have already done so. DHS is providing several services to state and local election officials to assist in their cybersecurity. These services includecyber“hygiene”scansofInternet - facing systems,risk and vulnerability assessments,information sharing about cyber incidents,and best practices for securing voter registration databases and addressing potential cyber threats. DHS has convened an Election Infrastructure Cybersecurity Working Group with experts across all levels of government to raise awareness of cybersecurity risks potentially affecting election infrastructure and the elections process. Secretary Johnson and DHS officials are working directly with the National Association of Secretaries of State to offer assistance,share information,and provide additional resources to state and local officials.

Background Questions

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5348-000002 PAO (SMO)

From: PAO {SMO) Sent: Friday, October 7, 2016 5:36 PM To: PAO {SMO) Subject: DOJ DAILY NEWS WRAP

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DAILY1'TEWS WRAP FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016

***FOR INTER..i"\"AL USE ONLY***

Contact Wyn Hornbuckle, Deputy Director, Office ofPublic Affairs, (202) 514-2007

EXPECTED 1'"EWS STORIES:

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5216 Non-Responsive Record

Joint Statement From The Department of Homeland Security and Office of The Director of National Intelligence on Election Security (DHS/ODNI) The u.S. Intelligence Community (USIC) issued a statement today that it is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from l,;S persons and institutions. including from US political organizations. The recent disclosures ofalleged hacked e-mails on sites like DCLeaks.com and \Vik:iLeaks and by the Guccifer 2.0 online persona are consistent with the methods and motivations ofRussian directed efforts. These thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the U.S. election process. The statement said the USIC believes, based on the scope and sensitivity ofthese efforts, that only Russia's senior most officials could have authorized these activities.

Non-Responsive Record

:.MONDAY'S EXPECTED l\'EWS/EVKNTS:

Cohmibus Day - there are no scheduled public events.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5216 TUESDAY'S EXPECTED NEWS/EVEl\'TS:

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. IF YOU HAVE QlJESTIONS, PLEASE uSE THE COJ\lTACTS IN THE MESSAGE OR CALL THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT 2D2-514-2007.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5216 Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG)

From: Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG} Sent: Monday, October 17, 2016 8:17 PM To: Axelrod, Matthew {ODAG) Subject: Fireside chat questions -CYBER(NSD,CRM,ODAG) Attachments: Fireside chat questions -CYBER(NSD,CRM,ODAG).docx

Per our discussion attached is an electr - There is a hot topics for if needed.

Thanks.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5362 Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG)

From: Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG} Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2016 1:42 PM To: Yates, Sally (ODAG); Axelrod, Matthew {ODAG) Cc: Mogil, Joshua (ODAG) Subject: FW: hot topics for the DAG Attachments: Hot Topics 10.12.16.docx

Hi - Per our discussion yesterday, attached is the latest copy of "hot topics'' from OPA.

Thanks, Tash

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5364 Axelrod, Matthew {ODAG)

From: Axelrod, Matthew (OOAG) Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 8:52 PM To: lftimie, Ale-}( (OAG) Cc: Werner, Sharon (OAG); Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG) Subject: Re: If asked TPs

On Dec 14, 2016, at 8:22 PM, lftimie, Ale}( (OAG) wrote:

Hi Matt,

In case Russia comes up during tomorrow morning's POLITICO interview (the focus is not on national security, so we are hoping it won't), we puttogetherthe brieftalking points below, (b) (5) Iwanted to make sure you had eyes on it as well. Let me know if you have any edits or concerns.

Thanks, Alex

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5449 lftimie, Alex (OAG)

From: lftimie, Alex (OAG) Sent: Friday, December 16, 2016 8:27 AM To: Axelrod, Matthew {ODAG) Cc: Werner, Sharon (OAG); Pokorny, Carolyn (OAG); Gauhar, Tashina {ODAG) Subject: POTUS on Russia

Matt,

NPR aired a portion of its exit interview with POTUS this morning, which focused heavily on Russia. Below is some of the coverage -I haven't seen a tra nscript yet, but the full audio is at the NPR link below.

Alex

http://www.npr.org/2016/12/15/SOS775550/obama-on-russian-hacking-we-need-to-take-action-and-we will?utm campaign=storyshare&utm source=twitter.com&utm medium=social

Obama On Russian Hacking: 'We Need To Take Action. And We Will'

l\TPR via YouTube

President Obama says the United States will respond to Russian cyberattacks that the intelligence community has concluded were part of an effort to influence the 2016 presidential election_

In an interview 1,vith NPR's Steve Inskeep that will air Friday on Nlorning Edition, Obama said, 'T think there is no doubt that when any foreign government tries to impact the integrity ofour elections ... we need to take action. And we will - at a time and place ofour own choosing. Some ofit may be explicit and publicized; some ofit may not be."

Obama tells NPR "we will" respond to Russian hacking

U.S. intelligence officials have concluded that hackers working for Russia hacked into the Democratic National Committee's computer network, as well as the private email ofJohn Podest~ a top adviser to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinto.n.

\Vith the question ofRussia's ultimate motivation for the hack becoming increasingly divisive, Obama was careful to not endorse a CIA assessment, reported by NPR and other news outlets, that asserts that Russia's goal was to elect Tnnnp.

"There are still a whole range ofassessments taking place among the agencies," Obamatold NPR referring to an order he has given the D.S. intelligence community to conduct a full review ofthe cyberattacks before Inauguration Day. "And so when I receive a final report, you know, we'll be able to, I think give us a comprehensive and best guess as to those motivations. But that does not in any way, I think, detract from the basic point that everyone during the election perceived accurately - that in fact what the Russian hack had done was create more problems for the Clinton campaign than it had for the Trump campaign."

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5475 "There's no doubt that it contnbuted to an atmosphere in which the only focus for weeks at a time, months at a time were Hillary's emails, the Clinton Fonndation, political gossip surrounding the DNC," Obama said_

In fact, email hadbeen a major focus since before Clinton formally entered the presidential race, owing to revelations first reported by the New York Times that she used a private email server during her tenure leading the State Department Updates about the FBI's investigation ofthe server dripped out at intervals throughout the entire campaign_

The State Department also released Clinton emails at semi-regular intervals throughout the campaign, as didthe conservative group Judicial Watch, ,vhich obtained them through a Freedom ofInformation Act lawsuit_

Obama didn't pin the blame for Clinton's loss on the leaked information, saying, "Elections can always turn out differently_ You never know which factors are going to make a difference_But I have no doubt that it had some impact, just based on the coverage_"

Obama saidhis goal is for a definitive White House report on the matter to be issued before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20_ He was also careful to say that while the Russian hacks benefited Tnnnp, he is not suggesting Trump's campaign helped coordinate the attacks or played any role in them, other than to exploit them for political advantage_ "They understood what everybody else understood, which was that this was not good for Hillary Clinton's campaign," the president said_

Obama acknowledged that every "big power" spies and collects intelligence on each other, but, he said, "There's a difference between that and the kind ofmalicious cyberattacks that steal trade secrets or engage in industrial espionage, something that we've seen the Chinese do_ And there is a difference between that and activating intelligence in a way that's designed to influence elections_"

Obama discussed cybersecurity with Vladimir Putin during a 90-minute meeting on the sidelines ofthe G-20 summit heldin China in early September_ The president characterized the meeting at the time as "candid, bhmt, businesslike_"

While Obamais threatening to retaliate against Russia, he has only about five weeks left in the Oval Office_ Trump has dismissed - in fact, mocked- intelligence assessments tying the DNC and Podesta hacks to Russia, and he campaigned on improving the U_S _relationship with the country_

In his interview with NPR, Obama appeared mystified by that stance_

"The irony of all this, ofcourse, is that for most ofmy presidency, there's been a pretty sizable wing ofthe Republican Party that has consistently criticized me for not being tough enough on Russia," he said. "Some of those folks during the campaign endorsed Donald Tnnnp, despite the fact that a central tenet ofhis foreign policy was we shouldn't be so tough on Russia And that kind ofinconsistency I think makes it appear, at least, that then- particular position on Russia on any given day depends on what's politically expedient."

The president cited a recent Economist-YouGoYpoll that foundRepublican voters view Putin much more favorably now than they did before the 2016 presidential election_

"This is somebody, the former head ofthe KGB, who is responsible for crushing democracy in Russia, muzzling the press, throwing political dissidents in jail, comtering American efforts to expand freedom at every turn; is currently making de<:isions that's leading to a slaughter in Syria_ And a big chunk ofthe Republican Party, which prided itself during the Reagan era and for decades that followed as being the bulwark against Russian influence_ now suddenlv is embracing him "

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5475 ------• • ------.,J - ___.,._ :o - -

NPR reached out to the Trump transition team for comment but has not received a response.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5475 lftimie, Alex (OAGJ

From: lftimie, Alex (DAG) Sent: Friday. January 6, 2017 6:46 PM To: Gauhar. Tashina (ODAG) Subject: Re: ODNI Statement on Declassified Intelligence Community Assessment of Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Elections

Will do.

On Jan 6, 2017, at 6:34 PM, Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG) wrote:

Thank you. If you talk toMarc, you can remind h im to i ndude me@

From: lftim i e, Alex (DAG) Sent: Friday, January06, 20173:59PM To: Gau har:, Tash in a (ODAG) Subject: FW: ODN I Statement on De cl assified l nte lllgence CommunityAssessment of Russian Activities and Intenti ons i n Recent U.S. Electi ons

FYSA.

From: Ra imondi, Marc A. EDP/ NSC (b) (6) Sent Friday, January 6, 2017 3:55 PM To: lftim ie, Al ex (DAG) ; Laufman, David (NSD) Subject: FW: ODN I Statement on De cl assified l nte lligence Comm unityAssessment of Russian Activities and Intentions i n Recent U.S. Electi ons

From: Office of the Director of Nati onal l ntellige nee [mailto:[email protected] ] Sent Friday, January 6, 2017 3:47 PM To: Price, Ned C. EDP/ NSC< (b)(6) Subject: DON I Statement on Declassified Intelligence Community Assessment of Russian Activit ies and Intentions i n Recent U.S. Electi ons

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE W .ASHINGTON. DC 20511

Jamiaty 6, 2017

Statement onDeclassifiedlntelligence Comnnnitv Assessmem of Russian Activities and Intentions in Re,eeut U.S. I lections

OnDecenber 9, 2016, President Barack Obama directed the IoteB:igenoe Comnrunity to conduct a ful.lreviewand produce a comprehensive in!enigence report assessing Russian activitesand intentions in recent U.S. elecoons. We have completed this report and briefed President Obama as well as President-elect Trump and Congressional leadership. We declassiood a version ofthis report for rhe public, cormstenr '-"1th our cotrmitrrent co tr.m..'1)arency

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5565 wnue st1ll procecrmg aassmeo sources am mernoos_

The Intelligence Conmrunicy di1 not tmke an assessment ofthe Ull'act that Russianactivires had on the outcome of the 2016 e~aion, and DHS asses...c:es that the t_y-pes ofsystems the Russian actors targeted or COfl1)romised were not involved in ~ute tl.llying_

This dedassified version ofthe report is being released to the public and can be accessed ,faI C on the Record_

U1JSubsa:ibe or update prefaences Need assistance? subscrfuerbelp_go,ueti,-erv_com

This servx::e is provided to you by lhe Office o flhe Director of~ati:>nal Intelligence_

ThJ.S eT..ail "l.'a.s .sertto • • S.Jli GollJetivery, or. be~.11' of: Of:'>ce o'the Di ,;;-tor of Nabor.a Ire figeox::e O'!i::e o• !ii! D1tctor ofl'.: bonal lrtc.figu;:e 'll'b~JJ1gto~, OC 2':>E1 7ilZ-72~- k image006.jpg;,j JIE.00 @iiage007 .jpi-)

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5565

Background to “AssessingRussian ActivitiesandIntentions in RecentUSElections”:TheAnalyticProcessandC yber Incident Attribution

6 January 2017

Document ID: 0.7.24125.7893 Background to“Assessing Russian Activitiesand Intentionsin RecentUS Elections”:TheAnalyticProcessand yber C Incident Attribution

“Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent US Elections”ied version is a ofdeclassif a highly classified assessment that has been provided to the President and to recipients approved by the President.

 The Intelligence Community rarely can publicly reveal the full extent of its knowledge or the precise bases for its assessments,as the release of such information would reveal sensitive sources or methods and imperil the ability to collect critical foreign intelligence in the future.

 Thus,while the conclusions in the report are all reflected in the classified assessment,the declassified report does not and cannot include the full supporting information,including specific intelligence and sources and methods.

The Analytic Process

The mission of the Intelligence Community is to seek to reduce the uncertainty surrounding foreign activities, capabilities, or leaders’ intentions. This objective is difficult to achieve when seeking to understand complex issues on which foreign actors go to extraordinary lengths to hide or obfuscate their activities.

 On these issues of great importance to US national security,the goal of intelligence analysis is to provide assessments to decisionmakers that are intellectually rigorous,objective,timely,and useful, and that adhere to tradecraft standards.

 The tradecraft standards for analytic products have been refined over the past ten years. These standards include describing sources (including their reliability and access to the information they provide), clearly expressing uncertainty, distinguishing between underlying information and analysts’ judgments and assumptions,exploring alternatives,demonstrating relevance to the customer,using strong and transparent logic,and explaining change or consistency in judgments over time.

 Applying these standards helps ensure that the Intelligence Community provides US policymakers, warfighters,and operators with the best and most accurate insight,warning,and context,as well as potential opportunities to advance US national security.

Intelligence Community analysts integrate information from a wide range of sources,including human sources,technical collection,and open source information,and apply specialized skills and structured analytic tools to draw inferences informed by the data available,relevant past activity,and logic and reasoning to provide insight into what is happening and the prospects for the future.

 A critical part of the analyst’s task is to explainsociated uncertainties with major as judgments based on the quantity and quality of the source material,information gaps,and the complexity of the issue.

 When Intelligence Community analysts use words such as “we assess” or “we judge,” they are conveying an analytic assessment or judgment.

 Some analytic judgments are based directly on collected information; others rest on previous judgments,which serve as building blocks in rigorous analysis. In either type of judgment,the tradecraft standards outlined above ensure that analysts have an appropriate basis for the judgment.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.7893  Intelligence Community judgments often include two important elements: judgments of how likely it is that something has happenedor will happen (using terms such as “likely” or “unlikely”) and confidence levels in those judgments (low,moderate,and high) that refer to the evidentiary basis, logic and reasoning,and precedents that underpin the judgments.

Determining Attribution in Cyber Incidents

The nature of cyberspace makes attribution of cyber operations difficult but not impossible. Every kind of cyber operation—malicious or — notleaves a trail. US Intelligence Community analysts use this information,their constantly growing knowledge base of previous events and known malicious actors,and their knowledge of how these malicious actors work and the tools that they use,to attempt to trace these operations back to their source. In every case,they apply the same tradecraft standards described in the Analytic Process above.

 Analysts consider a series of questions to assess how the information compares with existing knowledge and adjust their confidence in their judgments as appropriate to account for any alternative hypotheses and ambiguities.

 An assessment of attribution usually is not a simple statement of who conducted an operation,but rather a series of judgments that describe whether it was an isolated incident,who was the likely perpetrator, that perpetrator’s possible motivations, and whether a foreign government had a role in ordering or leading the operation.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.7893 Thisreport isadeclassified version ofahighlyclassified assessment;itsconclusionsareidentical to those in the highlyclassified

assessmentbutthisversion doesnotinclude thefull supportinginformation on keyelementsoftheinfluencecampaign.

Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent USE lections

ICA2017 -01D | 6January2017

Document ID: 0.7.24125.7893 Thisreportisadeclassified version ofa highlyclassified assessment;itsconclusionsareidentical tothosein thehighlyclassified assessmentbutthisversion doesnotincludethefull supportinginformation on keyelementsoftheinfluencecampaign.

Thispageintentionallyleftblank.

Scope and Sourcing

Information available as of29December2016 wasused in the preparation ofthis product.

Scope

This reportincludes an analyticassessmentdrafted and coordinated among The Central Intelligence Agency(CIA), The FederalBureau ofInvestigation (FBI), and TheNational SecurityAgency(NSA), which draws on intelligenceinformation collected and disseminated bythosethree agencies. Itcovers the motivation and scope ofMoscow’s intentions regarding US elections and Moscow’s use ofcybertools and media campaignsto influence USpublic opinion. The assessmentfocuses on activities aimed atthe 2016USpresidential election and drawson ourunderstanding ofprevious Russian influence operations. When we use the term “we” itrefers to an assessment byall three agencies.

 This reportis adeclassified version ofa highlyclassified assessment. his T document’s conclusions are identical to thehighlyclassified assessment, butthisdocumentdoesnotinclude the full supporting information, including specificintelligence on keyelements oftheinfluence campaign. Given the redactions, we made minoreditspurelyforreadabilityand flow.

Wedid notmake an assessmentoftheimpactthatRussian activities had on the outcomeofthe 2016 election. TheUSIntelligenceCommunityis charged with monitoring and assessing theintentions, capabilities, and actionsofforeign actors;itdoes notanalyzeUSpoliticalprocesses orUSpublic opinion.

 Newinformation continues to emerge, providing increased insightinto Russian activities.

Sourcing

Manyofthe keyjudgments in this assessmentrelyon abodyofreporting from multiplesources thatare consistentwith ourunderstanding ofRussian behavior. Insights into Russian—including efforts specific cyberoperations —andRussian views ofkeyUSplayers derive from multiple corroborating sources.

Some ofourjudgments aboutKremlin preferences and intent aredrawn from the- behaviorofKremlin loyalpoliticalfigures, state media, and pro-Kremlin social media actors, all ofwhom the Kremlin either directlyusesto conveymessages orwho areanswerable to the Kremlin. The Russian leadershipinvests significantresources in bothforeign and domesticpropaganda and places a premium on transmitting whatitviews asconsistent, self-reinforcing narrativesregardingits desiresand redlines, whetheron Ukraine, Syria, orrelationswith theUnited States.

Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent USlections E ICA2017-01D 6January2017 KeyJudgments

Russian efforts to influence the 2016US presidential election represent the most recent expression ofMoscow’s longstanding desire to undermine the US-led liberal democratic order, but these activities demonstrated a significant escalation in directness, level ofactivity, and scope ofeffort compared to previous operations.

We assess Russian PresidentVladimirPutin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidentialelection. Russia’sgoalsweretounderminepublicfaithintheUSdemocraticprocess, denigrate SecretaryClinton, and harm herelectabilityand potential presidency. We furtherassess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clearpreference forPresident-elect We Trump. havehigh confidencein these judgments.

 We also assess Putin and the Russian Government aspired electTrump’s to helpPresident- election chances when possible bydiscrediting SecretaryClinton and publiclycontrasting her unfavorablyto him. All three agencies agree with this judgment. CIAand FBIhavehigh confidence in thisjudgment;NSAhas moderate confidence.

 Moscow’s approach evolved overthe course ofthe campaign based on Russia’s understanding ofthe electoralprospectsofthetwo main candidates. When itappeared to MoscowthatSecretaryClinton was likelyto win theelection, theRussian influence campaign began to focus more on undermining herfuturepresidency.

 Furtherinformation has cometo lightsince Election Daythat, when combined withRussian behavior sinceearlyNovember2016, increases ourconfidence in ourassessments ofRussian motivations and goals.

Moscow’sinfluencecampaignfollowedaRussianmessagingstrategythatblendscovert intelligence operations—such as cyberactivity —with overt efforts byRussian Government agencies, state-funded media, third-partyintermediaries, and paidmediausersor“trolls.” social Russia, like itsSovietpredecessor, has ahistoryofconducting covertinfluence campaigns focused on US presidential elections thathave used intelligenceofficers and agents andpress placements to disparage candidates perceived as hostileto theKremlin.

 Russia’s intelligence servicesconducted cyberoperations againsttargets associated with the2016US presidential election, including targets associated with both majorUSpolitical parties.

 We assess with high confidencethatRussian militaryintelligence(General StaffMain Intelligence Directorate orGRU) used theGuccifer2.0persona andLeaks.com DC releaseUS to victim data

obtained in cyberoperations publiclyandin exclusives to media outlets and relayed material to WikiLeaks.

 Russian intelligence obtained and maintained access to elements ofmultiple US state orlocal electoralboards. DHS assesses that the types ofsystems Russian actors targeted or compromised were not involved in vote tallying.

 Russia’s state-run propaganda machine contributed to theinfluence campaign byserving as a platform forKremlin messaging to Russian and international audiences.

We assess Moscowwill applylessons learned from its Putin-ordered campaign aimed at the US presidential election to future influence efforts worldwide, including against US allies and their election processes.

iii

Contents

Scopeand Sourcing i KeyJudgments ii Contents iv

CIA/FBI/NSAAssessment:Russia’sInfluenceCampaignTargetingthe 2016USPresidential lection E Putin Orderedampaign C To Influence USElection 1

Russian ampaign C Was Multifaceted 2

InfluenceEffortWas BoldestYetin theUS 5

Election Operation Signals “NewNormal” in Russian Influence Efforts 5

Annexes

A: Russia—Kremlin’s VSeeks T o T Influence Politics, FuelDiscontentin US 6 B: EstimativeLanguage 13

Russia’sInfluenceCampaignTargetingthe2016US Presidential lection E

, • '

Document ID: 0.7.24125.7893 Thisreportisadeclassified version ofa highlyclassified assessment;itsconclusionsareidentical tothosein the highlyclassified assessmentbutthisversion doesnotincludethefull supportinginformation on keyelementsoftheinfluencecampaign.

Russia’sInfluenceCampaignTargetingthe2016US Presidential Election

Putin Ordered Campaign ToInfluence US  Putin mostlikelywanted to discreditSecretary Election Clinton because he has publiclyblamed her since2011forinciting mass protests against Weassess withhigh confidencethatRussian his regimein late2011 and early2012, and PresidentVladimirPutin ordered an influence becausehe holds agrudge forcommentshe campaign in 2016 aimed attheUSpresidential almostcertainlysawas disparaging him. election, theconsistentgoals ofwhich wereto undermine publicfaithin theUSdemocratic Weassess Putin, his advisers, and the Russian process, denigrateSecretaryClinton, and harm herGovernmentdeveloped a clearpreference for electabilityand potentialpresidency. Wefurther President-electTrump overSecretaryClinton. assess Putin and the Russian Government  developed a clearpreference forPresident-elect Beginning in June, Putin’s public comments Trump. When itappeared to Moscowthat aboutthe USpresidential race avoided directly SecretaryClinton was likelyto win the election, thepraising President-electTrump, probably Russian influence campaign then focused on becauseKremlin officials thoughtthatany undermining herexpected presidency. praisefrom Putin personallywould backfirein the United States. Nonetheless, Putin publicly  We also assess Putin and the Russian indicated apreference forPresident-elect Governmentaspired to helpPresident-elect Trump’s stated policyto workwith Russia, and Trump’s election chances when possible by pro-Kremlin figures spoke highlyaboutwhat discrediting SecretaryClinton andpublicly theysawas his Russia-friendlypositions on contrasting herunfavorablyto him. All three Syria and Ukraine. Putin publiclycontrasted the agencies agreewith this judgment.IAand C President- elect’s approach to Russia with FBIhavehigh confidencein this judgment; SecretaryClinton’s “aggressive rhetoric.” NSAhas moderate confidence.  Moscowalso sawtheelection ofPresident -  In trying to influence the US election, weassesselectTrump as awayto achieve an theKremlin soughtto advance its longstanding international counterterrorism coalition against desire to undermine theUS-led liberal the Islamic State in Iraq and theLevant(ISIL). democratic order, the promotion ofwhich  Putin and otherseniorRussian leadersviewas Putin hashad manypositiveexperiences a threat to Russia and Putin’s regime. working withWestern politicalleaders whose businessinterests made them moredisposed  Putin publiclypointed tothePanama Papers to deal withRussia, such asformerItalian disclosureand theOlympicdoping scandal as Prime MinisterSilvio Berlusconi and former US-directed effortstodefameRussia, German ChancellorGerhard Schroeder. suggestinghesoughtto usedisclosuresto  discredittheimageoftheUnitedStatesand Putin, Russian officials, and otherpro-Kremlin castitashypocritical. punditsstopped publiclycriticizing theUS election process as unfairalmostimmediately

afterthe election because Moscowprobably  Bytheirnature, Russian influence campaigns assessed itwould becounterproductive to are multifaceted anddesigned to bedeniable building positiverelations. becausetheyusea mixofagents ofinfluence, cutouts, frontorganizations, and false-flag Weassess theinfluence campaign aspired to help operations. Moscowdemonstrated this during President-elect rump’s T chances ofvictorywhen the Ukraine crisis in 2014, when Russia possiblebydiscrediting SecretaryClinton and deployed forces and advisers to eastern publiclycontrasting herunfavorablyto the Ukraineand denied itpublicly. President-elect. When itappeared to Moscowthat SecretaryClinton was likelyto win thepresidency The Kremlin’s campaign aimedthe USat election theRussian influencecampaign focused moreon featured disclosures ofdata obtained through undercutting SecretaryClinton’s legitimacyand Russian cyberoperations;intrusions into US state crippling herpresidencyfrom its start, including and by local electoral boards; and overtpropaganda. impugning thefairness oftheelection. Russian intelligence collection bothinformed and enabled the influence campaign.  Beforethe election, Russian diplomats had publiclydenounced the US electoral processCyber Espionage Against US Political and were prepared to publiclycallinto Organizations. Russia’s intelligence services question the validityofthe results. Pro- conducted cyberoperations againsttargets Kremlin bloggershad prepared a Twitterassociated with the 2016USpresidential election, campaign, #DemocracyRIP, on election nightinincluding targets associated withboth majorUS anticipation ofSecretaryClinton’s victory, political parties. judging from theirsocial media activity. Weassess Russian intelligenceservicescollected Russian Campaign Was Multifaceted againstthe USprimarycampaigns, thinktanks, and lobbying groups theyviewed as likelyto shape Moscow’s use ofdisclosures during the USfutureUSpolicies. election In July2015, Russian was unprecedented, butits influencecampaign intelligencegained access to DemocraticNational otherwise followed alongstanding Russian Committee(DNC)networks and maintained that messaging strategythatblends covertintelligence access until atleastJune2016. operations—such as cyberactivity —with overt  efforts byRussian Governmentagencies, state- The GeneralStaffMain Intelligence Directorate funded media, third-partyintermediaries, and paid(GRU)probablybegan cyberoperations aimed social media users or“trolls.” atthe US election byMarch 2016. We assess thatthe GRU operations resulted in the  We assess thatinfluence campaigns are compromise ofthe personal e-mail accounts of approved atthehighestlevels ofthe Russian Democratic Partyofficials and politicalfigures. Government—particularlythosethatwould be ByMay, theGRU had exfiltrated large volumes politicallysensitive. ofdata from theDNC.

 Moscow’s campaign aimed at the US Publicelection Disclosures ofRussian-Collected Data. reflected years ofinvestmentin its capabilities, Weassess withhigh confidence thatthe GRU used which Moscowhas honed in theformerSoviet theGuccifer2.0persona, DCLeaks.com , and states. WikiLeaks to releaseUS victim data obtained in

cyberoperations publiclyand in exclusivesto These election-related disclosures reflectapattern media outlets. ofRussian intelligenceusing hacked information in targeted influence efforts againsttargets such as  Guccifer2.0, who claimed to bean Olympic athletes and otherforeign governments. independentRomanian hacker, made multipleSuch efforts haveincluded releasing oraltering contradictorystatements and false claims personal data, defacing websites, orreleasing - e abouthis likelyRussian identitythroughoutthe mails. election. Press reporting suggests more than oneperson claiming to be Guccifer2.0  Aprominenttargetsince the 2016Summer interacted withjournalists. Olympics hasbeen theWorld Anti-Doping Agency(WADA), with leaks thatweassessto  Contentthat we assess was taken from e-mail haveoriginated with theGRU and thathave accounts targeted bythe GRU in March2016 involved data on US athletes. appeared onDC Leaks.com starting in June. Russia collected on someRepublican-affiliated Weassess withhigh confidencethattheGRU targets butdid not conductacomparable relayed material itacquired from the DNCanddisclosure campaign. seniorDemocraticofficials to WikiLeaks. Moscow Russian Cyberntrusions I I nto State and Local mostlikelychoseWikiLeaks because ofits self- Electoral Boards. Russian intelligence accessed proclaimed reputation forauthenticity. Disclosures elements ofmultiple state orlocal electoralboards. through WikiLeaks did notcontain anyevident Since early2014, Russian intelligence has forgeries. researched US electoralprocesses and related  In earlySeptember, Putin said publiclyitwas technologyand equipment. importanttheDNCdata was exposed to  DHSassesses thatthe types ofsystems we WikiLeaks, calling thesearchforthesource of observed Russian actors targeting or theleaks adistraction and denying Russian compromising are notinvolved in votetallying. “state-level” involvement. Russian Propaganda Efforts. Russia’s state-run  The Kremlin’s principal international propaganda machine—comprised ofits domestic propaganda outletRT(formerlyRussia Today) media apparatus, outlets targeting global has activelycollaborated withWikiLeaks. RT’s audiences such as RTand Sputnik, and a network editor-in-chiefvisited WikiLeaksfounderJulian ofquasi-governmenttrolls —contributed to the AssangeattheEcuadorian Embassyin London influence campaign byserving as aplatform for in August2013, where theydiscussed renewing Kremlin messaging to Russian and international his broadcastcontractwithRT, according to audiences. State-owned Russian media made Russian andWestern media. Russian media increasinglyfavorable comments aboutPresident - subsequentlyannounced thatRThad become electTrump as the2016USgeneral and primary "theonlyRussian media company" to partner election campaigns progressed while consistently withWikiLeaks andhad received access to offering negative coverage ofSecretaryClinton. "newleaks ofsecretinformation." RTroutinely gives Assange sympathetic coverageand  Starting in March 2016, Russian Government– provideshim a platform to denouncethe linked actors began openlysupporting United States. President-elect rump’s T candidacyin media

aimed atEnglish-speaking audiences. RTand on Putin byairing segments devoted to Sputnik—anothergovernment-funded outlet SecretaryClinton’s alleged health problems. producing pro-Kremlin radio and online  contentin avarietyoflanguages for On 6August, RTpublished an English- international audiences—consistentlycast language video called “Julian eSpecial: Assang President-elect Trump as thetargetofunfair Do WikiLeaks Have mail the hat’ll E-T Put coverage from traditional US media outlets Clinton in Prison?” and an exclusive interview thattheyclaimed weresubservientto acorrupt with Assange entitled “Clinton and ISIS Funded political establishment. byt he Same Money.” RT’s most popularvideo on SecretaryClinton, “How 100% ofthe  Russian media hailed President-elect Trump’s Clintons’ ‘Charity’ Wentto…T hemselves,” had victoryas a vindication ofPutin’s advocacyof more than 9million views on social media globalpopulistmovements —thetheme of platforms. RT’smostpopularEnglish language Putin’s annual conference forWestern video aboutthe President-elect, called rump “T academics in October2016 —and the latest Will Not Be Permittedo TWin,” featured example ofWestern liberalism’s collapse. Assangeand had 2.2 million views.

 Putin’s chiefpropagandist DmitriyKiselevused  Formore on Russia’smedia past efforts— his flagship weeklynewsmagazineprogram including portraying the 2012US electoral thisfall to castPresident-elect Trump as anprocess as undemocratic—pleasesee AnnexA: outsidervictimized byacorruptpolitical Russia—Kremlin's TVSeeks To Influence establishmentand faultydemocratic election Politics, FuelDiscontentin US. process thataimed to preventhiselection becauseofhis desire to workwithMoscow. Russia used trolls as well as RTas partofits influence efforts denigrate to SecretaryC linton.  Pro-Kremlin proxyVladimirZhirinovskiy, leader This effortamplified stories on scandals about ofthe nationalistLiberal Democratic Partyof SecretaryClinton and therole ofWikiLeaks in the Russia, proclaimed justbefore the electionelection that campaign. ifPresident-elect Trump won, Russia would  “drinkchampagne” in anticipation ofbeing Thelikelyfinancierofthe so-called Internet ableto advanceits positions on Syria and ResearchAgencyofprofessional trolls located Ukraine. in SaintPetersburg is a closePutin allywith ties to Russian intelligence. RT’s coverage ofSecretaryClinton throughout the  USpresidential campaign was consistentlynegative Ajournalistwho is aleading experton the andfocused on herleaked e-mails and accused InternetResearchAgencyclaimed her thatsome ofcorruption, poorphysical and mentalhealth, andsocial media accounts that appearto betied to ties to Islamicextremism. SomeRussian officials Russia’s professional trolls—because they echoed Russian lines forthe influencecampaign previouslyweredevoted to supporting Russian that SecretaryClinton’s election could lead toactions a war in Ukraine—started to advocate for between the United States and Russia. President-electTrump as earlyasDecember 2015.  In August, Kremlin-linkedpolitical analysts suggested avenging negative Western reports

Influence ffortWas E BoldestYetin theUS ElectionOperationSignals“NewNormal”in Russian InfluenceEfforts Russia’s effort to influence the 2016US presidential election represented asignificantescalation in Weassess Moscowwill applylessons learnedfrom directness, level ofactivity, and scopeofeffort itscampaign aimed atthe USpresidential election compared to previous operations aimed atUS to futureinfluence efforts in theUnited States and elections. We assess the 2016influence campaign worldwide, including againstUS allies and their reflected the Kremlin’s recognition ofthe election processes. Weassessthe Russian worldwide effectsthat mass disclosuresofUS intelligenceservices would have seen theirelection Governmentand otherprivatedata — such as those influence campaign as atleastaqualified success conducted byWikiLeaks and —othershave because oftheirperceived abilityto impactpublic achievedin recentyears, and theirunderstanding discussion. ofthe valueoforchestrating such disclosures to  maximize theimpactofcompromisinginformation. Putin’s public views ofthe disclosures suggest theKremlin and theintelligence serviceswill  During the Cold War, the SovietUnion used continue to considerusing cyber-enabled intelligenceofficers, influence agents, forgeries,disclosure operationsbecauseoftheirbelief and press placements to disparagecandidates thatthese can accomplish Russian goals perceived as hostileto the Kremlin, accordingrelativelyeasilywithout significantdamageto to aformerKGB archivist. Russian interests.

Since theCold War, Russian intelligence efforts  Russia hassoughtto influence electionsacross related to US elections have primarilyfocused Europe. on foreign intelligence collection. Fordecades, Russian andSovietintelligence services have Weassess Russian intelligenceserviceswill soughtto collectinsiderinformation from US continueto develop capabilities to provide Putin politicalparties thatcould helpRussian leaders with options to use againstthe United States, understand a newUS administration’s plans judging and from pastpractice and currentefforts. priorities. ImmediatelyafterElection Day, we assess Russian intelligencebegan aspearphishing campaign  TheRussian Foreign Intelligence Service(SVR) targeting USGovernmentemployees and Directorate S(Illegals) officers arrested inindividuals the associated with US thinktanks and United States in 2010 reported to MoscowNGOs in national security, defense, and foreign aboutthe 2008 election. policyfields. This campaign could provide material forfutureinfluence efforts aswell asforeign  In the1970s, the KGB recruited aDemocratic intelligencecollection on theincoming Partyactivistwho reported information about administration’s goals and plans. then-presidentialhopeful JimmyCarter’s campaign andforeign policyplans, according to aformerKGB archivist.

AnnexA

Russia --Kremlin's TVSeeks To Influence Politics, Fuel Discontent * in US

RTAmerica TV, aKremlin-financedchanneloperatedfrom within the UnitedStates, has substantially expandedits repertoireofprogrammingthathig hlig hts criticism ofalleg edUSshortcoming sin democracy andcivilliberties. Therapidexpansion ofRT's operations andbudgetandrecentcandidstatements byRT's leadershippointto thechannel's importance to theKremlin asing amessag toolandindicateaKremlin - directedcampaignto undermine faithin the USGovernmentandfuelpoliticalprotest. TheKremlin has committedsignificantresources to expandingthechannel's reach, particularlyits socialmedia footprint. A reliable UKreportstates thatRTrecentlywas themost-watchedforeignews n channelin theUK. RT America has positioneditselfas domesticUSchannelandhas a deliberatelysoug htto obscureanyleg alties to the Russian Government.

In therunup to the 2012USpresidential election in November, English-language channelRTAmerica- - created andfinancedbytheRussian Government and partofRussian Government-sponsored RTTV(see textbox1) --intensified its usuallycritical coverage ofthe UnitedStates. Thechannelportrayed theUS electoralprocessasundemocraticand featured calls byUSprotesters forthe public to riseup and "take thisgovernmentback."

 RTintroduced twonewshows--"Breaking theSet" on 4Septemberand "Truthseeker" on 2November--both overwhelmingly focused on criticism ofUSandWestern governmentsaswell asthepromotion of radicaldiscontent.

 From Augustto November2012, RTran numerousreports on alleged US election fraud and voting machinevulnerabilities, contending thatUS election results cannot be trusted and do notreflectthepopular will.

 In an effortto highlightthe alleged Messag"lackof ing on RTpriorto theUSpresidentialelection democracy" in the United States, RT(RT, 3November) broadcast, hosted, and advertised- third partycandidate debates and ran reporting supportive ofthepolitical agenda ofthesecandidates. TheRThosts asserted thattheUS two-partysystem does notrepresentthe views ofatleastone-third ofthe population andis a"sham."

* Thisannexwasoriginallypublishedon 11December2012 bytheOpen Source Center, nowthe Open Source Enterprise.

 RTaired adocumentaryabouttheOccupy WallStreetmovementon 1, 2,and 4November. RTframed themovementasa fightagainst"theruling class" anddescribed thecurrentUSpolitical system ascorruptand dominatedbycorporations. RTadvertising forthedocumentaryfeaturedOccupy movementcallsto"takeback" the government. Thedocumentaryclaimed that theUSsystem cannotbechanged democratically,butonlythrough "revolution." Afterthe6NovemberUSpresidential election,RTaired adocumentarycalled RTnewshow"Truthseeker" (RT, 11 November) "CulturesofProtest," aboutactiveand often violentpolitical resistance (RT,1- 10November).

RTConducts Strategic Messaging forRussian Government

RT'scriticism oftheUSelection wasthelatestfacetofitsbroaderand longer-standing anti-US messaging likelyaimed atundermining viewers' trustin USdemocraticprocedures and undercuttingUS criticism of Russia's political system. RTEditorin ChiefMargarita Simonyan recentlydeclared thattheUnited States itselflacks democracyand thatithas "no moral rightto teach the restoftheKommersant world", ( 6November).

 Simonyan has characterized RT's coverageof theOccupyWallStreetmovementas "information warfare" thatisaimed at promotingpopulardissatisfaction with the US Government. RTcreated Facebook a app to connectOccupyWall Streetprotesters via social media. In addition, RTfeatured its own hosts in Occupyrallies ("MinaevLive," 10April; RT, 2, 12June).

 RT's reports often characterizetheUnited States as a"surveillancestate" and allege widespreadinfringements ofcivilliberties, policebrutality, and drone use(RT, 24, Simonyan steps overtheWhiteHouse in the 28October, 1-10November). introduction from hershort-liveddomesticshow  RThasalsofocused on criticism oftheUS on RENTV(RENTV, 26December2011) economicsystem,UScurrencypolicy, alleged WallStreetgreed, and theUSnationaldebt. SomeofRT'shostshavecompared theUnitedStatesto ImperialRomeandhavepredicted thatgovernmentcorruption and "corporategreed" willlead toUS financial collapse(RT, 31October,4November).

RTbroadcasts supportforotherRussian interests in areas such asforeign and energypolicy.

 RTruns anti-fracking programming, highlighting environmental issues and the impacts on publichealth. Thisislikely reflectiveoftheRussian Government's concern aboutthe impactoffracking and US naturalgas production on the global energymarketand the potential challenges to Gazprom's profitability(5October).

 RTis a leading media voice opposing Western intervention in the Syrian conflict and blaming theWestforwaging "information wars" againsttheSyrian Government(RT, 10October-9November). RTanti-frackingreporting(RT, 5October)

 In an earlierexampleofRT's messaging in supportoftheRussian Government, during theGeorgia-Russia militaryconflictthechannel accused Georgiansofkilling civilians and organizing agenocide oftheOssetian people. According to Simonyan, when "theMinistryofDefensewas atwarwithGeorgia," RTwas "waging an information waragainstthe entire Western world"Kommersant ( ,11July).

In recentinterviews, RT'sleadershiphas candidlyacknowledged its mission to expand its US audience and to exposeitto Kremlin messaging. However, theleadership rejected claims thatRTinterferes in US domesticaffairs.

 Simonyan claimed in populararts magazineAfishaon 3October: "Itis importantto havea channel thatpeoplegetused to, and then, when needed, you showthem whatyou need to show. In some sense, nothaving ourown foreign broadcastingisthesameas nothaving a ministryofdefense. When there isno war, itlookslike wedon'tneedit. However, when thereis awar, itis critical."

 According to Simonyan, "the word 'propaganda' has a verynegative connotation, butindeed, thereis notasingleinternationalforeign TVchannel thatisdoing something otherthan promotion ofthe valuesofthe countrythatit isbroadcasting from." She added that"when Russia is atwar, weare, of course, on Russia's Afishaside" ,3October; ( Kommersant ,4July).

 TV-NovostidirectorNikolovsaid on 4Octoberto the Association ofCable Television thatRTbuildson worldwide demandfor"an alternativeviewofthe entire world." Simonyan asserted on 3Octoberin Afisha thatRT's goalis "to make an alternative channel thatshares information unavailable elsewhere" in orderto "conquerthe audience" and expose itto Russian Afishastate ,3 messaging October; ( Kommersant,4July).

 On 26May, Simonyan tweeted with irony: "AmbassadorMcFaulhintsthatourchannel is interference withUSdomesticaffairs. And we, sinful souls, werethinking thatitis freedom ofspeech."

RTLeadershipCloselyTied to, Controlled byKremlin

RTEditorin ChiefMargarita Simonyan hascloseties to topRussian Governmentofficials, especially Presidential Administration DeputyChiefofStaffAlekseyGromov, who reportedlymanagespolitical TV coveragein Russia and is oneofthefounders ofRT.

 Simonyan has claimed thatGromov shielded herfrom otherofficialsand their requests to aircertain reports. Russian media considerSimonyan to beGromov's protege Kommersant ( ,4July;Dozhd TV, 11July).

 Simonyan replaced Gromovon state- owned hannelOne'sBoard C ofDirectors. Governmentofficials, including Gromov and Putin's Press SecretaryPeskovwere involved in creating RTand appointing Simonyan Afisha ( ,3October).

 According to Simonyan, Gromovoversees political coverageon TV, and he has periodic meetings with media managers where hesharesclassified information and discusses theircoverage plans. Some opposition journalists, including Andrey Loshak, claim thathe also ordered media attacks on opposition figures Simonyan shows RTfacilities to then PrimeMinister (Kommersant,11July). Putin. Simonyan was on Putin's 2012presidential election campaign staffin Moscow( Rospress , 22 The Kremlin staffs RTand closelysupervises September2010, Ria Novosti, 25October2012). RT'scoverage, recruiting peoplewho can conveyRussian strategic messagingbecause oftheirideologicalbeliefs.

 Thehead ofRT's Arabic-language service, AydarAganin, was rotated from the diplomaticserviceto manageRT's Arabic-language expansion, suggesting a close relationshipbetween RTandRussia's foreign policyapparatus. RT's London Bureau ismanaged byDarya Pushkova, the daughterof AlekseyPushkov, the currentchairoftheDuma Russian Foreignommittee Affairs Cand former a Gorbachevspeechwriter( DXB ,26March 2009;MK.ru ,13March2006).

 According to Simonyan, the Russian Governmentsetsrating and viewership requirements forRTand, "sinceRTreceivesbudgetfrom the state, itmustcompletetasks given bythestate." According to Nikolov, RTnews stories are written and edited "to become news" exclusivelyin RT's Moscowoffice (Dozhd TV, 11July; AKT,4October).

 In herinterviewwithpro-Kremlin journalistSergeyMinaev, Simonyan complimented RTstaffin the United States forpassionatelydefending Russian positions on the airand in social media. Simonyan said: "I wish you could see…howthese guys, not just on air, but on Twitter theirown , social networks, and when giving interviews, howtheydefend thepositions thatwe stand on!" ("MinaevLive," 10April).

RTFocuses on Social Media, Building Audience

RTaggressivelyadvertises itssocial media accountsand has asignificantandfast-growing social media footprint. In line withits efforts to presentitselfas anti-mainstream and to provideviewers alternative news content, RTis making its social media operations atoppriority, both to avoid broadcastTV regulations and to expand its overall audience.

 According to RTmanagement, RT'swebsite receives atleast500,000 unique viewers everyday. Since itsinception in 2005, RTvideos received morethan 800 millionYouTube viewson(1 million views per day), which is thehighestamong news outlets (see graphics forcomparison with othernews channels)( AKT,4October).

 According to Simonyan, the TVaudienceworldwideis losing trustin traditional TVbroadcastsand stations, while the popularityof"alternative channels" likeRTorAlJazeera grows. RTmarkets itselfas an "alternativechannel" thatis availablevia theInterneteverywhere in theworld, and itencourages interaction and social networkingKommersant ( ,29September).

 According to Simonyan, RTuses social media to expand the reach ofits political reporting and uses well-trained people to monitorpublicopinion in social media Kommersantcommentaries( , 29September).

 According to Nikolov, RTrequires its hosts to havesocial media accounts, in partbecausesocial media allows the distribution ofcontent thatwould notbeallowed television Newreporter.org (on , 11October).

 Simonyan claimed in her3 Octoberinterviewto independentTVchannelDozhd thatOccupyWall Streetcoverage gave RTasignificantaudienceboost.

The Kremlin spends $190 million ayearon thedistribution and dissemination ofRTprogramming, focusing on hotels and satellite, terrestrial, and cable broadcasting. The Kremlin is rapidlyexpanding RT's availabilityaround the world andgiving itareach comparable to channelssuch as AlJazeera English. According to Simonyan, the United Kingdom and the United States are RT's most successful markets. RT does not, however, publish audience information.

 According to marketresearch companyNielsen, RThad the mostrapid growth(40percent) among all international newschannels in theUnited States overthe pastyear(2012). Itsaudience in NewYork tripled and in Washington DCgrewby60%( Kommersant ,4July).

 RTclaims thatitis surpassing Al Jazeera in viewershipin NewYorkand BARB Washington , DC( 20November;RT, 21November).

 RTstates on itswebsite thatitcan reach morethan 550 million people worldwide and 85 million people in the United States;however, itdoes notpublicizeits actual US audience numbers (RT, 10December).

TV News Broadcasters: Comparative Social Media Footprint

You Tube Views Mill ions of views RT/RT America ------~----~~ Al Jazeera English ------,-- BBC World ------,------,.------,--- CNN/CNN Internationa l 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 You Tube Subscribers Thousands of subscribers RT/RT America Al Jazeera Eng lish BBC World CNN/CNN Internation al 0 100 200 300 400 500 Twitter Followers

BBC World ] CNN/CNN Internation al 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 Facebook Li kes Thousands of li kes RT/RT America Al Jazeera English BBC World CNN/CNN Internationa l 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 Facebook Chatter Thousands of posts RT/RT America Al Jazeera Eng lish BBC World CNN/CNN Internationa l 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

1701 □ 510 14->_1- ~

Formal Disassociation From Kremlin Facilitates RTUSMessaging

RTAmerica formallydisassociates itselffrom the Russian Governmentbyusing a Moscow-based autonomous nonprofitorganization to finance its US operations. According to RT's leadership, this structure wassetup to avoid the Foreign Agents Registration Actand to facilitate licensing abroad. In addition, RTrebrandeditselfin 2008 to deemphasize its Russian origin.

 According to Simonyan, RTAmerica differs from otherRussian state institutions in terms of ownership, butnotin terms offinancing. To disassociateRTfrom the Russian Government, the federal news agencyRIANovosti established asubsidiaryautonomous nonprofitorganization, TV- Novosti, using theformalindependenceofthis companyto establish and finance RTworldwide (Dozhd TV, 11July).

 Nikolovclaimed thatRTisan "autonomous noncommercial entity," whichis"well received byforeign regulators" and "simplifies getting alicense." Simonyan said thatRTAmerica is nota"foreign agent" according to USlawbecause ituses aUS commercial organization foritsbroadcastsAKT, 4October; ( Dozhd TV, 11July).

 Simonyan observed thatRT's originalRussia-centricnews reporting did notgenerate sufficient audience, so RTswitched to covering international and USdomestic affairs and removed thewords "Russia Today" from the logo "to stop scaring awaytheaudience"Afisha ,18October; Kommersant( , 4July).

 RThiresormakescontractual agreements withWesterners with views thatfititsagenda and airs them on RT. Simonyan said on thepro-Kremlin show"MinaevLive" on 10April thatRThasenough audience and moneyto be ableto chooseits hosts, anditchooses the hosts that"thinklike us," "are interested in working in the anti-mainstream," and defend RT's beliefs on social media. Some hosts and journalists do notpresentthemselvesas associated with RTwhen interviewing people, and many ofthem have affiliations to othermedia and activistorganizations in theUnited States ("MinaevLive," 10April).

AnnexB

ESTIMATIVE LANGUAGE

Estimative language consists of two elements: judgments about the like li hood of developments or events occ urring and levels of confidence in the sources and analytic reason ing supporting the judgments. Judgments are not in tended to imply that we have proof tha t shows somethi ng to be a fact. Assessments are based on col lected information, which is often incomplete or fragmen tary, as well as logic, argumentation , and precedents.

Judgments of Likelihood. The chart below approximates how judgments of likelihood correlate with percentages. Unless otherwise stated , the Intel ligence Commu nity's judgments are not derived via statistica l analysis. Phrases such as "we judge" and "we assess"-and terms such as "probable" and "likely"-convey analytical assessments.

Percent

Almost Very Very Almost no chance unlikely Unlikely Roughly even chance Likely likely certainly

Highly Highly Nearly Remote improbable Improbable Roughly even odds Probable probable certain

Confidence in the Sources Supporting Judgments. Confi dence levels provide assessments of the quality and quantity of the source information that supports judgments. Consequently, we ascribe high, moderate, or low levels of confidence to assessments: • High confidence genera lly ind icates that judgments are based on high-quality information from multiple sources. High confidence in a judgment does not imply that the assessment is a fact or a certainty; such judgments might be wrong. • Moderate confidence generally means that the information is credibly sourced and plausible but not of sufficient quality or corroborated suffi ciently to warrant a higher level of confidence. • Low confidence general ly means that the information's credibility and/or plausibility is uncertain, tha t the information is too fragmented or poorly corroborated to make solid analytic inferences, or that re li ability of the sources is questionable.

Thispageintentionallyleftblank.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.7893 Thisreport isadeclassified version ofa highlyclassified assessment;itsconclusions are identical to those in the highlyclassified assessmentbutthisversion doesnotinclude thefull supportinginformation on keyelementsoftheinfluencecampaign.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.7893 Cruikshank, Andrew A. (OLA)

From: Cruikshank, Andrew A. (OLA) Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2017 3:47 PM To: Gauhar, Tashina {ODAG); O' Brien, Alicia C (OLA); O'Brien, Alicia (ODAG) Subject: RE: Russian hacking schedule Attachments: 2017-1-10 SSCI - Russian Activities.pdf

Tash,

I have spoken with FBI about the overall issue but not particular sessions. (b) (5) (b) (5)

Attached is transcript ofthe open portion ofthe SSCI hearing.

Please let me know ifyou have any questions and ifyou would like to meet.

Thanks,

Andrew

_-\n&e,,· A. Cruikshank .Attorney .Ad\'isor Office ofLegislative Affairs Department ofJustice (b)(6)

From: Gauhar, Tashina {O0AG) Sent: Thursday, January 12, 201712:17 PM To: Cruikshank, Andrew A. (OLA) ; O'Brien, Alicia C {OLA) ; O'Brien, Alicia {ODAG) Subject: RE: Russian hacking schedule

Thanks, Andrew.

Are we getting a read out of the different sessions? Also, do we have a transcript ofthe public part of the session?

From: Cruikshank, Andrew A. (OLA) Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2017 11:06 AM To: O'Brien, AJicia C (OLA) ; O'Brien, Alicia (O0AG) ; Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG) Subject: RE: Russian hacking schedule

Alida and Tash,

The all House briefing is tomorrow (Friday), 9:15 - 10:15 A.iv!.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580 Please let me know ifyou have any questions.

Thanks,

Andrew

Andrew A. Cruikshank Attorney AdYisor Office oflegislati\·e Affairs ...ustice

From: O'Brien, Alicia C (OLA) Sent: Monday, January 09, 2017 U:38 PM To: Cruikshank, Andrew A. (OLA) ; O'Brien, Alicia (ODAG) ; Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG) Subject: RE: Russian hacking schedule

Thanks Andrew, much appreciated.

Alicia C. O'Brien DeputyAssistant Attorney General Off f L . I t· Affairs (b) (6) .

Alicia.C.O'[email protected]

From: Cruikshank, Andrew A. (OLA} Sent: Monday, January 09, 2017 U:13 PM To: O'Brien, Alicia C (OLA} ; O'Brien, Alicia (ODAG} ; Gauhar, Tashina (OOAG) Subject: Russian hacking schedule

Alicia and Tash,

In case you are not aware, I wanted to let you know what I have been told is the latest schedule for the Russian hacking briefing and hearing Hill engagement. Briefings/hearing will be led by DNI Clapper and supported by Directors Brennan, Corney and Rogers. All sessions are principal plus one.

Tuesday Januarv 10. 2017: 10 Ai\11- 12 noon, closed. classified briefing to HPSCI.

1 P)Jl open hearing for SSC!. DNI will provide an opening statement, however, there \Vill not be a written statement for the record. Immediately following, there will be a closed, classified session. At the end there will be a brief statement by Camey regarding possible threats to the Inauguration.

Thursday January 12. 2017: 3 PM- 4JO P)Jl (hard stop for DJ\ll): All members closed and classified briefing for the Senate.

The all House briefing is still being scheduled and Wednesday January 11 or Thursday January 12, 20 17, are the possible days at this point.

Please let me know ifyou have any questions.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580 Thanks,

Andrew

.-\ndrewA. Crwkshank Attorney Advisor Office oflegislatmi Affairs D .artn t f Justice (b)(6)

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580 Senate Select Intelligence Committee Holds Hearing on Russian Intelligence Activities

January 10, 2017

BURR: I'dliketocallthishearingtoorder.

I'dliketowelcomeourwitnesses,JimClapper,theDirectorofNationalIntelligence;JohnBrennan, thedirectoroftheCentralIntelligenceAgency;JimComey,directoroftheFederalBureauof Investigation;andAdm.MikeRogers,directoroftheNationalSecurityAgency.

DirectorsClapperandBrennan,whileI'vesaidthistoyoubeforeinclosedsession,thisislikelyyour lastappearancebeforethecommittee,atleastinyourcurrentrole.AndIwanttothankeachofyou beforeyougetoutofhere,foryourmanyyearsofdedicatedservicebothinuniformandoutof uniform,Jim.John,inmanydifferentcapacities.

Youhaveservedyourcountryinanunbelievableway,bothofyou.Andwewantyoutoknowhow gratefulwearetoyou,andhowgratefulthenationistoyoufortheservicethatyou'veprovided.

Weconvenetodaytodiscussthepresident'sdirectedreviewofRussianactivitiesandintentionsin recentU.S.elections.WhileRussiaandtheSovietUnionhaveusedactivemeasuresastoolsof statecraftsincethe1920s,recentactionsbytheRussiangovernmentrepresent,asyoureported,a notion-anotableescalation.

Iknowthatthepublicdisclosureoftheseactivitiessurprisedmany.Andthenotionthatanotherstate wouldattempttointerfereinourelectionsisquitetroubling.

However,Russianactivemeasuresasageneraltopicisnotnewtothemembersofthiscommittee. We'veheldmorethan10hearingsandbriefingsoverthelasttwoyearsthathavefocusedinwhole orinparttobetterunderstandthescaleandscopeoftheseeffortsandtheintentionsbehindthem.

Eachofourwitnesseshasappearedbeforeusinclosedsessiontodiscussthistopic,andin responseonabipartisanandbicameralbasis,thiscommitteeanditssistercommitteeandtheother bodyhaveputforwardunclassifiedandclassifiedproposalstoaddresstheseactivities.

Someworkhasbeendone.Buttoeffectivelyaddressthischallengetotheintegrityofoursystemof governmentwillrequireawholeofgovernmentapproach.Ilookforwardtohearingfromour witnessesonthedetailsoftheintelligencecommunityassessment.

Intelligencereportingoverthelastfewyearstoincludetheclassifiedandcompartmentedportionsof thisassessmentgivesmenoreasontodoubtthefindingscontainedwithintheproduct.Thatsaid, weoweittoourcolleaguesandtheAmericanpeopletodoanindependentandabipartisanreview ofthereportanditsconclusions.

I'vethereforeinstructedcommitteestafftocarryoutanassessmentofthesourcingbehindthis report.Andwewillbeaskingeachofourwitnessestoprovidethecommitteeaccesstothe intelligencethatcontributedtothisassessment.

Iwanttoassuremycolleaguesonthiscommitteeandinthisbodythatwewillfollowtheintelligence whereveritleads.Andwewillconductthisreviewinanonpartisanmanner.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Ialsowanttoassurethewitnessesbeforeustoday,ashaslongbeenourpractice,thecommittee willtreattheprotectionofthesesourceswiththelevelofsecurityandprofessionalismrequired.I'd alsoliketoquicklythankthemenandwomenoftheintelligencecommunityfortheirworkin completingthisreview.

Toeachofourwitnesses,pleasethankyourrespectivestaffs.Ihavenodoubtthatthepresident's directive,Jim,toyou,andtoothers,ruinedmany'sholidayplans.Whilethismomentinourhistoryis criticalandthetestimonybeforethiscommitteeinanopensettingwill,Ihope,helptheAmerican peopleunderstandwhatRussiaattemptedtoaccomplishaspartofitsfocused--itsfocusonour 2016elections.

Iwanttomakethisclear.Ourdemocracyisnotatrisk.Wecanrestassuredinthestrengthofthe UnitedStatesofAmerica,havecontinuedfaithintheelectoralprocess.

Wemustbealert,though,tothechallengesthatfaceusandthethreatsposedbythosewhoseekto undermineWesterndemocraticvalues,whetherthey'rethroughinterferenceinourelections,or relentlesspropagandaandactivemeasurestargetingourfriendsandouralliesabroad.Ourvalues areindeedunderassault.Thekeydifferencesbetweentheeffortsofthepastandtheattacksof today,however,isthetoolsbeingusedtocarrytheseout.

Gentlemen,thankyouagainforbeingheretoday.Ilookforwardtoyourtestimony,Gen.Clapper, andtotheopportunitytoqueryquestionstotherest.

Iwillnowturntothedistinguishedvicechairman,thesenatorfromVirginia.

WARNER: Wellthankyou,Mr.Chairman.AndIwanttoecho,firstofall,yourcommentsintermsof commendingallofthewitnesses,butparticularlyDir.ClapperandDir.Brennanforyourgreat servicetoourcountry.

Ialsowanttoacknowledgeoneofthenewmembersofourcommittee.Bothnewmembershere, Sen.ManchinandSen.Harris.IknowSen.Cornynwillbejoiningusbriefly.Andwhileshe'snothere yetIwanttoacknowledgethegreatrolethatSen.Feinsteinhasplayedbothaschairandvicechair onthiscommittee.

We'reheretodaytodiscusstheintelligencecommunity'scomprehensivereviewintoRussian interferenceonour2016presidentialelection.Forme,oneofthemostseriouseventsofmypublic life.InterferenceinAmericandemocracyandourelectoralprocessbyanyoutsidepoweris unacceptable.

NowmuchofthepressreportingandtheconversationaboutRussianactivitieshavefocusedonthe hacksoftheDNCandJohnPodesta.Butasthereportpointedout,theRussiansalsohacked systemsassociatedwiththeRepublicans.Theyjustchosenottoreleasethatmaterialyet.There's nothingthatpreventsthemfromdoingsoatatimeoftheirchoosinginthefuture.

WhilethetargetofthiscampaignwasSec.Clinton,anyofus,DemocratsorRepublicans,including membersofthisbody,couldeasilybethenexttarget.WhattheRussiansdidwasnothinglessthan attackonourpoliticalsystemanddemocracyitself.Wecansimplynotallowittostand.

TheICassessmentismoredetailed,butisinlinewithpreviousassessmentsfromtheintelligence communitythatRussianofficialsatthehighestlevel,includingPresidentPutin,engagedin,your words,notmine,inan"unprecedentedlevelofinterferenceinourelection."Itconcludesthatthese

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 actionshadthegoalofharmingthecandidacyofHillaryClinton,andtheboostingthecandidacyof President-ElectDonaldTrump.

Wearenotheretorelitigatetheresultsoftheelection.

Atthesametime,I'mcommittedtoensuringthere'sthorough,bipartisanandexpeditious congressionalinvestigationofRussia'srole.

Inmyviewthecommitteeshouldfocusonthreebroadareas--theRussianhackingandreleasedof stoleninformation.Russia'suseofstate-ownedmediaandothermeanstoamplifyrealandfake newstofurtherthegoal.AndcontactbetweenRussiangovernmentanditsagentsandassociateof anycampaignandcandidate.

Ilikeyou,Mr.Chairman,havewrittentoallofthewitnessesheretoday,askingthemtocooperate withusinthisinvestigation,andturnoverasmanydocumentsandasquicklyaspossible.

I,likeyou,amreiteratingthatcalltoday.Itisequallyimportantthattheincomingadministration,and thosefolkswilltakeDirectorClapperandDirectorBrennan'srolesgoingforwardwillcontinueto cooperateinthiseffort.

Additionally,itismyhope,whilewe'vemadeafirststep,thatwe'lltotrytodeclassifyasmuch materialaspossible,whileagainprotectingsourcesandmethods.

TheAmericanpeopledeservetoknowassoonaspossiblethattheirelectedrepresentativeshave takenacloselookattheintelligencereportthatwe'reconsideringtoday.Theydeservetoknow whetherweconcurornotwithitsconclusions,andthatwe'repreparedtorespondtothethreats outlinedintheassessment.

TheactionsthepresidenttookrecentlyinresponsetoRussianactivitieswasanappropriateandfirst step.AtthesametimeIstillhavequestionswhytheObamaadministrationdidn'tfurtheranddidn't actsooner.

Butaswelookforward,preventingfutureattemptstoundermineourdemocracyandourpositionin theworldwillrequiresustainedresponsefromtheincomingadministrationandfromthisCongress.

ItrulybelievethestrengthofAmerica'sdemocracywillbemeasuredinpartonwhatactionswetake todeveloparobustandproactivecyberstrategy.Partofthatstrategymustincludetoolsand capabilitiestodeterandcapabilitiestodeterandeffectivelyrespondtofutureattemptsbyforeign actorstoinfluenceAmerica'sDemocraticprocess.OneofthethingsI'vealwaysvaluedabout serviceonthisIntelligenceCommitteeisthetraditionofleadingpartisanshipatthedoor,oftentimes whentheygointothatskiff.

Ilookforwardtoworkingwithyou,Mr.Chairman,andallourmemberstocompletethisinvestigation asquicklyandexpeditiouslyaspossible.

And,gentlemen,youragencies,theworkthatyouragenciescompleted,underscorestheimportance oftherolethenation'sintelligencecommunityplays,andthemenandwomenwhoquietlywork everydaytokeepourcountrysafe.Thisreportrepresentsthebestanalysisofthemenandwomen oftheIntelligenceCommittee.Theseareprofessionalswhohavetakenanoathofofficetopresent thewholetruthastheyseeit,faithfullytoRepublicansandDemocraticadministrationsalike.

AsamemberofthiscommitteeandIthinkallofuswhoserveforsometime,haveseenfirst-hand thededicationofthemenandwomenwhoworkforyou.Iknowthatoneofthemostprimary

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 missionsoftheintelligenceprofessionalsistorenderthebestprofessionaljudgmentregardlessof politicalconsiderationsandalwaysbewillingspeakingtruthtopower.Isupportthemfortheirwork.

Thankyou,Mr.Chairman.

BURR: Thankyou,vicechairman.

Formembers,onceDirectorClapperhasbeenrecognizedandcompletedhistestimony,itisthe intentionofthechairtorecognizemembersbaseduponseniorityforfive-minutequestions.Thereis votethat'sscheduledrightnowfor2:30.Itistheintentofthechairtocompleteourquestionsinopen sessionbytheconclusionofthatvote,anditistheintentofthechairmantothenmovetoaclosed sessionwhichwouldstartafterthe2:30vote.

Ifthere'sneedtoadjustthat,wewillmakeanadjustmentontheway.Havingsaidthat,areminderto allmembersthatweareinopensessionandthatyoushouldtakeintoaccountfromthestandpoint ofthequestionsyouaskedandrealizetheirunclassifiedandclassifiedreport.

Andwiththat,DirectorClapper,thefloorisyours.

CLAPPER: ChairmanBurr,ViceChairmanWarner,andmembersofthecommittee,first,thankyouforyour graciouscomments.(Inaudible)andme,asthisshouldbeourlasthearing,althoughonenever knows.It'sstill10daysleft.

Butmoreimportantlythecommentsaboutthework,dedicationandpatriotismofthewomenand menoftheintelligencecommunity,soweappreciatethat.We'reheretodaytopresentthe intelligencecommunitiesassessmentofRussianandintentionsduringtherecentU.S.presidential election.

Asyouindicated,someaspectsofourreportinvolveverysensitivesourcesandmethodsthatwe can'tdiscussinthisopen,televisedhearing,soobviouslywe'reaskingforyoursupportand understandingasweneeddefertoaclosedsetting.

Ourremarkstodayarebasedonahighlyclassifiedassessmentthatwasproducedbythethree agenciesrepresentedhere,theCIA,FBIandNSAattherequestofPresidentObama,inwhichwe, asyoualsoindicated,releasedpubilcallyinadeclassifiedversionlastFridayafternoon.

ThereportcoversthemotivationandscopeofMoscow'sintentionsregardingtheU.S.electionand Russia'suseofcybertoolsandmediatoinfluenceU.S.publicopinion.Arunwaycluethatthisreport doesnot-repeatdoesnotassesstheimpactofRussianactivitiesontheactualoutcomeofthe2016 electionordrawanyconclusionsinthatregardonewayortheother.

TheIC'sruleistoassesstheintentions,capabilitiesandactionsofforeignactors,nottoanalyze U.S.politicalprocessesorU.S.publicopinion.Wecansaythatwedidnotseeevidenceofthe Russian'salteringvotetallies.

Wecan'tdiscussthefullrangeofclassifiedinformationthatsupportsourconclusionsbecauseofthe extremesensitivityofthesesources.Butthekeyjudgmentsinthepublicandclassifiedversionsare thesame.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Icansaythatthereportdrawsonintelligencecollectedbyallthreeoftheseagenciesrepresented here,andsomeofwhichonlycametolightafterElectionDay.WhentheICsays"highconfidence", wemeanwehavemultiplehigh-qualitysourcesofinformationthatcontributetothatassessment.

Intelligencecomesfromawiderangeofsourcesincludinghumansources,technicalcollection,and open-sourceinformation.Thekeyjudgmentsarebasedoncooperating(ph)sourcesthatare consistentwithourunderstandingofhistoricalandcurrentRussianbehavior.

Andwhilewecannotpublicdisclosemostoftheinformationthatbacksupthesejudgments,wehave briefedthereportindetailtoPresidentObamaandhisteam,President-electTrumpandhisteam, andCongressionalleadership,andthismorning,theHousePermanentSelectCommitteefor Intelligence.They'veall(ph)had(ph)theopportunitytoexplorethereportandposeanyquestions they'vehadaboutthebasisforourconclusions.

Boththeclassifiedandpublicversionsofthisreportwerewrittenbyseasonednonpartisan intelligenceprofessionalsconsistentwiththehigheststandardsofanalyticobjectivityandtrue(ph) craft(ph)thattheNIChadrefinedoverthelast15yearsorsotoensureweprovidepolicymakers themostaccurateinsightsthatwecan.AndI-I-Ialsoneedtoaddthatthisreflectstheintelligence community'sview,notthat-thatoftheadministration.

Thetreating(ph)of(ph)cyberoperationsisdifficultbutnotimpossible.Everycyberoperation, maliciousornot,leavesatail.

ICanalystsusethistrailand-andareconstantlygrowingknowledgebaseofmaliciousactorsand theirtoolsandmethodstotraceoperationsbacktotheirsourceanddeterminetheirconnectionsto foreigngovernments.Andthisisexactlywhatwedidhere.

Letmestartby-withrespecttothefindings,isthatwe'llfirstaddressRussia'sgoalsandintentions. WehavehighconfidencethatPresidentPutinorderedaninfluencecampaignin2016aimedatthe U.S.presidentialelection.

ThegoalsofthiscampaignweretounderminepublicfaithintheU.S.Democraticprocess,denigrate SecretaryClinton,andharmherelectabilityandpotentialpresidency.PutinandtheRussian governmentalsodevelopedaclearpreferenceforPresident-electTrump.Russiaaspiredtohelp President-electTrump'selectionchanceswhenpossiblebydiscreditingSecretaryClintonand publicallycontrastingherunfavorablytohim.

Moscow'sapproachevolvedoverthecourseofthecampaignbasedonRussia's(ph)understanding oftheelectoralprospectsofeachofthecandidates.WhenitappearedtoMoscowthatSecretary Clintonwaslikelytowin,theRussianinfluencecampaignbegantofocusmoreonunderminingher futurepresidency.Moscow'sinfluencecampaignblendedcovertintelligenceoperationswithovert effortsbyRussiangovernmentagencies,statefundedmedia,thirdpartyintermediariesandpaid socialmediausers.

We'rehighlyconfidentthattheRussianintelligenceservicesconductedcyberoperationsagainst peopleandorganizationsassociatedwiththe2016USPresidentialelection,includingbothmajorUS politicalparties.RussianmilitaryintelligenceortheGIUcompromisedtheemailaccountsof DemocraticPartyofficialsandpubliclyreleasedvictimdatausingthe(inaudible)2.0personaandDC Leaks.comandexclusivestomediaoutlets,theyalsorelayedmaterialtoWIKIleaks.Russia collectedonsomerepublicanaffiliatedtargets,butdidnotconductacomparabledisclosure campaign.RussianintelligenceobtainedandmaintainedaccesstomultipleU.S.stateorelectoral boards.However,theDepartmentofHomelandSecurityaccessesthesetypesofsystemswerenot

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 involvedinvotetallying.Russia'sstateroompropagandamachinecontributedtotheinfluence campaignbyservingasaplatformforcriminalmessagingusingRussiangovernmentfundedoutlets suchasRT.

MoscowhaslongthoughttoundermineU.S.ledliberaldemocraticorder.RussialikeitsSoviet predecessorhasahistoryofconductingcovertinfluencecampaignsfocusedonU.S.Presidential elections.They'veusedintelligenceofficers,influencedagentsandpressplacementstodiscourage candidatesperceivedashostiletotheKremlin.Moscow'sbehaviorreflectsRussia'smore aggressivecyberpostureinrecentyears,whichposesamajorthreattoU.S.military,diplomatic, commercialandcriticalinfrastructurenetworksaswellas,asweseenow,ourelections.However, Russia'sactivitiesin2016,demonstratedasignificantescalationindirectness,levelofactivity,and scopeofeffortcomparedtopreviousoperations,andweaccessMoscowwillapplythelessons learnedfromthe2016campaignaimedinthefuturetoinfluenceeffortsworldwideincludingU.S. allies.I'dliketowrapupbysayingInowIgotjust10daysleftinmy53yearsorso,intheintel businessandI'veseentheICA(ph)getthingsrightandgetthingswrong.ButIbelievethelevelon (inaudible)tradecraftandcrossagencyintelligenceintegrationrequiredtoputthisreporttogether givesmegreatconfidencethatwe'vegottenitrighthere.Withthat,we'llopenforyourquestions.

BURR: Director,thankyouforthatfullandconcisetestimony.DirectorClapper,asIstatedinmyopening statement,I'veinstructedaselectgroupofcommitteestafftocompleteanindependentand bipartisanreviewofthereportingthatunderpinstheintelligencecommunityassessmentforus today.DoIhaveyourassurancethatyouwillprovidetheaccessthattheyneedforthereporting necessarytomaketheirconclusions.

CLAPPER: Yes.

BURR: DirectorComey,IwanttotalkaboutforensicsforjustaminutebecausetheFBIhastheexpertise thereandIknowthereistremendousinvestigativevaluewhentheFBIisactuallyabletoconduct theirownforensicsreviewondevicesthathavesufferedcyberintrusionsandattacks.Ibelieve there'ssomeconfusionthough,atleastsomeconflictingreportingastowhethertheFBIrequested accesstotheDNC'sservices,thedemocraticcongressionalcommitteeserversandJohnPodesta's personaldevices.DidtheFBIrequestaccesstothosedevicestoperformforensicsonthem?

CLAPPER: Yes,wedid.

BURR: Andwouldthataccesshaveprovidedintelligenceorinformationhelpinginyourinvestigationand possiblefindingsincludedintheintelligencecommunityassessments?

CLAPPER: Ourforensicfolksalwaysprefertogetaccesstotheoriginaldeviceorserverthat'sinvolved,soit's thebestevidence.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 BURR: Wereyougivenaccesstodotheforensicsonthoseservers?

CLAPPER: Wewerenot,ahighlyrespectedprivatecompanyeventuallygotaccessandsharedwithuswhat theysawthere.

BURR: ButisthattypicalthewaytheFBIwouldprefertodotheforensics,orwouldyouratherseethe serversanddotheforensicsthemselves?

CLAPPER: Wewouldalwaysprefertohaveaccess,hands-onourselves,ifthat'spossible.

BURR: Doyouknowwhyyouweredeniedaccesstothoseservers?

CLAPPER: Idon'tknowforsure.Idon'tknowforsure.

BURR: Wasthereonerequestormultiplerequests?

CLAPPER: Multiplerequestsatdifferentlevelsandwhatwasagreedtoisthattheprivatecompanywouldshare withuswhattheysaw.

BURR: There'sbeenmuchdebateoverthecontentreleasedbyWIKILeaks.DirectorClapper,Ishouldsay DCLeaksandwhattheintentionswerebehindthosedisclosures.DirectorClapperyoumadeit perfectlyclearinyourtestimonythatthecommunityfeelsvotetallieswerenotaltered.

CLAPPER: Thatiscorrect.

BURR: Doyoubelievethere'sanyevidencethattheDNCortheDCCCorthePodestaemailsreleased publiclywerealteredinanyway?

CLAPPER: Wehavenoevidenceofthat.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 BURR: DirectorComey,doyouhaveanyintelligencethatanyRepublicansystemthatwastargetedby thesesamegroupswaseithersuccessfullypenetrated,orifpenetratedandtherewasdataexult rated,wasthereanyexultation?

CLAPPER: Thereweresuccessfulpenetrationsofsomegroupsandcampaigns,particularlyonthestatelevel ontherepublicansideoftheaisleandsomelimitedpenetrationofoldrepublicanNational Committeedomains.

BURR: Penetrationwasofthosenationalcommitteedomains?

CLAPPER: Right,theywerenolongerinuse.

BURR: FromthestandpointofRepublicancandidatesthatwererunningforPresident,wereanyofthose campaignstargetedunderthissameeffortbytheRussians?

CLAPPER: Campaignsthemselves,nottomyknowledge.

BURR: Vicechairman.FEINSTEIN:Thankyou,Mr.Chairman.Again,wethankyouDirectorClapperfor yourreportandthepointthatyoucontinuetomakethatitwasnotyourjobtoanalyzetheaffects,ifit wasthepoliticalcampaign,Iwould.Andanyofuswhoareupwhohaveeverbeenthroughaclose electionisthatanysmallitemcaneitherbecauseorharm.(inaudible)therewassomeinformation though,thatwastakenfromthepublicaffiliatedentities.Therewasagreatdealofinformationtaken fromDemocrats,therewasselectiveleakingthatthedirectorhasindicatedwiththeclearpolitical intent.Inprocess,oneofthethingsI'm(inaudible)somehowthisassoonasintherearviewmirror, don'ttheRussianshavethecapabilityoftaking,evenifitsoldinformation,aboutRepublicansor otherinformationaboutDemocratsandselectivelyleakthatprospectively?

CLAPPER: Sure.

FEINSTEIN: Thisisanongoingthreattoallofusandourelectoralprocess,wehavetobeonguardandcould youspeak,oranyothermembersofthepanelspeakaboutthefactthatyouexpecttoseesimilar tacticsusedbyRussiansintermsoftheupcomingelectionsinGermany,Franceorthe Netherlands?

CLAPPER:

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Yes,wedo.

FEINSTEIN: Areouralliestakingwhat'shappenedinAmericawithsignificantenoughimportanceandarethey puttingupnewdefensestryingtoguardagainsttheseactivities?

CLAPPER: Ican'tsay,maybeotherscanheretotheextenttowhichtheyhavereactedtothis,buttheyare certainlyaware.EuropehaslongbeenatargetofRussianattemptstomanipulateelectoral processessotheywillcontinuewiththatandcertainlybecauseofthecontroversygeneratedinour country,Ithinkthatwillreinforcetheirdesiretodothat.

FEINSTEIN: OneofthethingsthatI'veseenothermembersofthecommitteeraise,certainRussianactivities, againjusttonote,gototheseriousness,notonlyretrospectively,butprospectivelythatIbelieve therewasaRussiandissidentinLondonwhereRussianagents,ineffectplantedfalseinformationin thisperson'sindividualfileandthencalledlawenforcementandsaidlookatthisperson'sfile,and therewascriminalchildpornographyplacedthere.CouldyouanticipateatsometimeRussiatrying,if wedon'ttakemoreaggressiveactions,tryingthoseactionsagainstAmericanpublicofficials?

CLAPPER: Russiansmightthinktheyhavenocompunctionaboutusingtoolsandtechniquesavailableintheir kitbag.SoIwouldn'tputitpastthemtodothatoranyoftheothertoolsthey'veused.Suchas payingpeopletoparticipateinsocialmediaforexample.

FEINSTEIN: ThishasbeendescribesasinfactthenewnormalforRussiandoctrine,isthatcorrect.

CLAPPER: Ibelieveyes.

FEINSTEIN: Andagainwe'veseenoursystem,inyourwords,asignificantescalationinall--beforeuswehad peoplewithserviceintheICAandthedefenseofournationinhundredsofyears--inanyofyour careershaveyouseenthislevelofRussianinterferenceinourpoliticalprocess?We'llstartwith DirectorComeyandjustgodowntheline.

COMEY: No.

(UNKNOWN ) Ihavenone.

(UNKNOWN )

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 No.

(UNKNOWN ) No.

BURR: Wehavealotofmembers,thankyouChairman.

SenatorRubio.

RUBIO: Thankyou.LetmebeginbysayingIdon'tbelievethisthinghasanythingtodowith

RUBIO: LetmebeginbysayingIdon'tbelievethisthinghasanythingtodowith--butletmejustbeginby saying,Ithinkthechairman'salreadyasked.It'sclearthattherewasnohackingofvotingmachines andthechangesoftallies.AndIwouldarguethishasnothingtodowith--becausethisterm hackingisthrownaround,anditmakesitsoundlikesomesortofcyberspecificsituation.Thiscyber toolsthatwereusedasameanstoanend.Itisn'tnecessarilywhatweshouldbefocusedonhere, whatwe'retalkingabouthereisactivemeasures.Theactivemeasurestakenbythegovernmentof VladimirPutintoinfluenceandpotentiallymanipulateAmericanpublicopinionofthepurposeof discreditingindividualpoliticalfigures,sowingchaosanddivisioninourpolitics,sowingdoubtsabout thelegitimacyofourelections.

So,whenI--ifyoulookatthesituationwenowface,here'stheaftermath.Wehadanelection, whereaftersomeintrusionsintosomestatedatabases,therewasaleading--onenomineefor presidentwarningaboutfraudintheelection.Thenaftertheelection,wehavesomeontheother side,questioningthelegitimacyofthePresident-electbecauseofRussianinterference.Thenwe havethePresident-electquestioningthecredibilityoftheintelligencecommunitybecauseofits findings.Thissoundslikeaprettyeffectiveandsuccessfulefforttosowchaos,toundermine credibilityofourleadersandofourgovernmentinstitutions.Inessence,itsoundsliketheyachieved whattheywanted.Togetustofightagainsteachother,overwhetherourelectionswerelegitimate and--anddivideusin--inthewaythatsowsthesortofchaosthattheysoughttoachieve.

MyquestionisalongthelinesofwhatSenatorWarneraskedaboutamomentago,becausewesee theseactivemeasuresemployedintheBalticStates,withtheRussianspeakingmediaoutlets controlledbytheKremlinandtheDutchReferendumandtheBrexitvoteandtheItalianReferendum. So,letmelayoutahypothetical,andyoutellmeifthisisthekindofscenariowecouldface, becausetheydon'tlimitthistoelections.Theytargetindividualpolicymakersthroughoutmany countriesinEurope,particularlythoseintheformerSovietsphere.Hypothetically,imaginethere'sa U.S.SenatororCongressmanwhoadoptsapolicypositionthattheKremlindoesnotagreewith, andso,somehow,throughaphishingexpeditiontheygainaccesstoyourpersonalcomputer network.Andoncetheygainaccesstoyourpersonalcomputernetwork,theyuseittofabricateand oractuallyconduct,usethechildpornographyexample,I'dsay,let'ssaymoneylaunderingactivity, andthentheycalllawenforcementandtipthemoff.

CongressmanJohnSoandSohasbeenmoneylaundering.Andtheygointoyourhome,theyseize yourcomputer,andsureenough,it'ssittingthereonyournetwork,becausesomeonegotintoitand didit.Andnowyou'rearrestedandyou'rechargedandyou'reremovedfromthepublicdiscourse.Is

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 thisnotwhatwehaveseenthetacticsthathavebeenemployedbyRussianintelligence,onbehalf ofthegovernmentofVladimirPutinandothercountriesaroundtheworld?Isthatnotatacticthey haveusedtodiscreditindividualpoliticalfigures?Andisn'tittruethatthatcouldverywellhappen hereintheUnitedStates?

(UNKNOWN ) Itiscertainlywith,wellwithintheir,boththeirtechnicalcompetenceandtheirpotentialintentto--to dosomethingslikethat.Thelasttwoyearsrunning,inmythreatpresentations,I'vecitedthat,Ithink thenext(inaudible)trend,inthecyberbusinesswillbethecompromisewiththefidelityof information.Andwhetherit'sforacriminalpurpose,orpoliticalpurpose,soitis,thisiswellwithin realm,Ithinkofpossibility.

RUBIO: Inthecontextofwhattheirgoalswere,ultimately,theirultimategoal,theymayhaveornot,you know,Idon'tgetintothewholethingaboutwhotheywantedtoseewin.Butintheend,whatthey reallywantedtoseewasAmericansfightingagainsteachother,bickeringoverthesethings,having questionsaboutthelegitimacyoftheprocess,ourleaders,etcetera.Wasthatnottheirgoal?Andifit was,havetheynotlargelyachievedthatbasedonhowthisissuedasbeendiscussedsincethe aftermathoftheelection?

(UNKNOWN ) Ithinkinthefirstinstance,thatwastheirgoal.Itwas--first--as--asIsaidinmyprepared remarks,wastosowdoubtabouttheethicacyofoursystem,andtocastdispersionsonour--our politicalsystem.

RUBIO: Tocreatedoubtsaboutthecredibilityofourelections,thelegitimacyofourleaders,etcetera?

(UNKNOWN ) Allthat.Yes.

RUBIO: OK.Andsomylastpointis,lasttimeIcheckedVladimirPutinisneitheraregisteredDemocratnor registeredRepublican.Andsowhatheisinterestedin,isachievingthesemeasuresintheUnited Statesforhisownstrategicpurposesandthereforethat(ph)isliterallyanypoliticalpartyshouldtake thislightly.Thisshouldnotbeapartisanissue.Thisinvolveswhetherornotwearegoingtoallow someonetoactivelyinterfereinourpoliticaldiscourse,anddivideusasanationagainsteachother.

BURR: SenatorWyden.

WYDEN: ThankyouverymuchMr.Chairman.Gentlemen,thankyou.AndletmeifImightbeginwithyouMr. Comey.Aftertheelection,asyouknow,theforeignminister,theRussianforeignministerwas quotedinvariousnewsreportssayingthattheRussianshadhadcontactswithpeopleassociated withtheTrumpcampaign.Nowthatmayormaynotbetrue.Thereishoweverextensivepress

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 reportingontherelationshipsbetweentheRussiansandindividualsassociatedwithboththeTrump campaignandtheincomingadministration.MyquestionforyouDirectorComeyis,hastheFBI investigatedthesereportedrelationships?Andifso,whataretheagenciesfindings?

COMEY: ThankyouSenator.Iwouldnevercommentoninvestigations,whetherwehaveoneornotinan openforumlikethis.SoIreallycan'tansweritonewayoranother.

WYDEN: We(sic)provideanunclassifiedresponsetothesequestionsandreleaseittotheAmericanpeople priortoJanuary20th?

COMEY: I'msorry,yousaidwillI?

WYDEN: Yes.WillyouprovideanunclassifiedresponsetothequestionI'veasked,andasI'vesaid,it'sbeen reportedwidelyontheReutersnewsservice,widelyreported.Willyouprovideanunclassified responsetothequestionIaskedandreleaseittotheAmericanpeoplepriortoJanuary20?

COMEY: Sir,I'llansweranyquestionyouask,buttheanswerwilllikelybethesameasIjustgaveyou.Ican't talkaboutit.

WYDEN: WellIwilltellyou,IthinktheAmericanpeoplehavearighttoknowthis.Andifthereisdelayin declassifyingthisinformationandrelating(ph)ittotheAmericanpeople,releasingittotheAmerican people,itdoesn'thappenbeforeJanuary20,I'mnotsureit'sgoingtohappen.Andthat'swhyI'm troubled,andIhopethatyouwillmakeadeclassifiedstatementwithrespecttothequestionsthat I'veaskedpublic.LetmeaskoneotherquestionifImight.Thereporthasabriefdescriptionof Russiancyberintrusionsinthestateandlocalelectoralboards.Itreads,andIquote,"DHS assessesthatthetypesofsystemswehaveobserved,Russianactorstargetingorcompromising arenotinvolvedinvotetallying."Myquestiontoyou,andIthinkI'dliketohaveyouinvolvedinthis tooDirectorClapper.DirectorComey,DirectorClapper,whatsystems,inyourview,were compromisedbytheRussiansandwhatwasthenatureandextentofthosecompromises?

COMEY: Therewereintrusions,attemptedintrusionsatstatelevelvoterregistrationdatabases.Thatis,not containingofthevotingmechanism,butwho'sregisteredtovoteandtheaddressandtheparticulars ofthatsort.Whatthepurposewasofthoseintrusionsisnotcleartousatthispoint.Andwesawno activityonelectiondaythatreflectedthatanyonehadmessedwiththosevoterregistration databases.Butthere'snodoubt,thattheRussiansattacked,intrudedandtookdatafromsomeof thosesystems.

WYDEN: DirectorClapper.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 CLAPPER: Ithinkthat'sa(inaudible)response.Idon'thaveanythingtoaddtothat.

WYDEN: AndIhopeyouwillalsotellusinthedaysahead,DirectorComey,moreaboutthenatureofthose systems,becauseitisverycleargivenwhatyoufoundandreportedinthedeclassifiedversion.That we'regoingtobedealingwiththeseissuescomingupandIthinkweneedtoknowmorespecifics anddoitinaclassifiedsessionaboutthenatureofthosesystem.ThankyouMr.Chairman.

BURR: SenatorCollins.

COLLINS: ThankyouMr.Chairman.First,letmestartbythankingDirectorClapperandDirectorBrennanfor yourmanyyearsofservicetoyourcountry.IalsowanttosaythatIappreciatetheworkthathas beendonebytheintelligencecommunitytoproducethisreport,andIacceptitsfindings.Idothink thatit'simportantthatweunderstandmorefullytheextentofRussianintrusionsintotheelectoral processtotrytoshapepublicopinion.Anditisimportanttounderscoretwopointsthathavebeen broughtoutalreadyandthatisthatthereisnoevidencethatvotingtotalsweremanipulatedor changed.Orthatemailsthatwerereleasedweremanipulatedorchanged.IsthatcorrectDirector Clapper?

CLAPPER: That'scorrect.

COLLINS: TheunclassifiedassessmentstatesthatRepublicanaffiliatedwebsiteswerehackedbythe Russians.Butthereportdoesnotgointodetailaboutwhetherornotdataweretaken,stolenfrom thosesystemsandwhetherinformationcamefromnetworksusedbyRepublicancandidates, whetherthatincludedtheTrumpcampaign.Couldyougiveusafullerunderstandingofthehacking ontheRepublicanside?WastheTrumpcampaign,forexample,hackedbytheRussians?Mr. Comeyisthebetterpersonforthis.

COMEY: ThankyouSenator.IwanttobethoughtfulaboutwhatIsayinanopensetting,buttherewas evidencethattherewashackingdirectedatstatelevelorganizations,statelevelcampaignsandthe RNC,butolddomainsoftheRNC.Thatisemaildomainsthattheywerenolongerusingandthe informationwasharvestedfromthere,butitwasoldstuff.Noneofthatwasreleased.Wedidnot developanyevidencethattheTrumpcampaignorthecurrent RN Cwassuccessfullyhacked.

COLLINS: DoestheIC'sconclusionthattheRussianssoughttoassistPresident-electTrump'scampaign dependonanassessmentthen,thattheRussianscovertlycollectedinformationandfromprimarily DemocraticsourcesbutsomeRepublicansourcesaswell?Butonlychosetoreleasethederogatory informationfromDemocraticsources?

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 CLAPPER: Thatiscorrect.

COLLINS: Anddid--Inoticed- -

COLLINS: AndInoticed,havinglookedatmanyICassessments,thatthisonewasproducedbythree agencies.AndusuallyI'musedtoseeingassessmentswheretheentireintelligencecommunityis involved.Forexample,theStateDepartment'sbureau,whichwasthebureauthatwascorrectabout theweaponsofmassdestruction,wasnotmentionedinthereport.Isthereareasonwhyitwas- - didyouonlyneedtheCIA,theFBIandNSA?

(UNKNOWN ) Ithadalottodowiththesensitivityofthesourcesandwhocouldactuallycontributetothe--putting theassessmenttogether.Wecandiscussallthatinaclosedsession.

COLLINS: Thankyou.

Finally,IjustwanttounderscoreyourpointthatwehavetalkedalotabouttheRussians'attemptto rulepublicopinionforourcampaign.AndasSenatorRubiosoeloquentlysaid,sewthedivisionsand theseedsofdoubtthatithaseveryonequestioning.Andchargesandcountercharges,whichare reallynothealthyinourdemocracywhenanewadministrationistakingover.

Butthere'salsoanactiveRussiancampaigntoinfiltrate,asyouhavesaid,militarysystems,defense contractorsystems,criticalinfrastructure,commercialinterests.Don'tweneedtotakeabroadlook atalloftheeffortsbyouradversariestoeithercontrolourcriticalinfrastructure,forexample,or influenceadecisionmakinginthosearenasaswell?

(UNKNOWN ) Well,ifIunderstandyourcomment,SenatorCollins,thepointisvalidthatthiswasamultifaceted activity.Andthatitbeganwitharatherbroadgagedassault,ifyouwill,attempttoinfiltratemany entitiesacrosstheboard,whichmilitary,commercial,governmental,(inaudible)related.

Andsoyes,there--theythinkofthisholisticallyandusemanytools,astheydidinthiscase. Hackingwasjustbutoneofthem.

COLLINS: Thankyou,Mr.Chairman.

BURR: SenatorHeinrich?

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 HEINRICH: Thankyou,Mr.Chairman.

IwanttothankSenatorCollinsforhercontinuedfocusoncriticalinfrastructurebecausethat's somethingthatinlightofwhatwe'velearnedIthinkweneedtothinkthroughandrealizewhatour exposuresare.Iwanttothankallofourwitnesses.

Attribution,obviously,ofresponsibilityincyberattacksisthefirstkeysteptowardimposingacoston thoseinvolved.SinceanumberofuswrotetothepresidentinNovemberaskingthatinformationon Russianinterferenceandthepresidentialelectionbedeclassified,thefourofyouandyour respectiveagencieshavedonesomeveryimportantworkinmakingasmuchofyourfindingspublic aspossible.AndIwanttosayI'mverygratefulforthat.Thepublicneedstounderstandwhatisat riskhere.

Tothosewhocriticizetheseinvestigationsaspartisan,IwouldremindthemthatRussiadidn'tdothis tohelptheRepublicancandidate.RussiadidthistohelpRussiaandtoweakenAmerica.And thereinliestheheartofwhythisissoimportantbecauseinthenextelectiontheshoecouldeasilybe ontheotherfoot,andaforeignpowercoulddecideitwantstheDemocrattowinthistime.

Ithinkthatbothscenariosaredeeplyoffensive.Andforeigninfluenceunderourelectionsis intolerable,nomatterwhichpartybenefits,inanygivenelection.

TheongoingeffortsofRussiatoimpactU.S.electionsthreatenstounderminefaithinourdemocratic systems,whichispreciselytheirgoal.AndIthinkit'scriticalthattheypayapricefortheiractions.

IwanttoreturntotheissueoftheRussiansbeingabletoobtainaccesstopartsofourelectoral infrastructure.Nottheactualmachinesthatcountthevotes,butthedatabases.Andwe'vehada coupleofquestionsonthis.

ButIwanttoask,firstofall,doweknowiftheywouldbeabletomanipulatethekindsofdatathat theyhadaccessto?Soforexample,ifyouhaveavoterdatabaseinalocalcountythatwas penetrated,wouldtheybeabletochangetheinformationwithinthatdatabase?

(UNKNOWN ) Potentially.Andthatwasourconcernatthetimewediscoveredthis.Wesawnoindicationofthat, butthat'sadefinitepossibility.

HEINRICH: Ifthathadhappenedand,forexample,theFBIorotherelementsoftheintelligencecommunitywere notlookingforthat,wouldtheelectoralboardshavehadindicationsthatthatdatahadchanged?

(UNKNOWN ) Potentiallynot.TheywouldhavetheindicationwhenchaoseruptedonElectionDay.Ifsomeone showsuptovoteandyouraddressisdifferentoryourmiddleinitialisdifferentorsomeparticularis differentthatcreatesdelay,controversy,confusion.

(UNKNOWN )

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Sounfortunately,Ithinkthistellsusthatwearevulnerabletofutureattacksandmanipulationinthis case.AndIthinkthatobviouslyyou'velaidoutascenariothatwouldbeveryevidentthatalsowe couldhaveverysubtleimpactstotheelections.

Youcouldpotentiallyhaveascenariowheresomeone'svoterhistory,forexample,ischanged.And iftheyhaven'tvotedforacertainnumberofyearsmaybetheygetpurgedfromtherolls.Oryou knowmanyofushavehadwherewe'veseenflyersofourcolleagueswho'vebeencriticizedfor missingtheparticularelection.Maybetheydidn'tactuallymissthatelection.

SoIthinkitbegsthequestionwhatcanwedoinconcertwiththoselocalcountyandcityandstate entitiestomakesurethatweareprotectingthisdatathewaythatweshould?

CLAPPER(?): Partofourchargeinthisreportwascarriedoutby--jointlyby--Dir.Comeyspeaktothis,bythe DepartmentofHomelandSecurityandtheFBItocomeupwithasetofsortofbestpracticesfor implicatinggreaterdegreesofcybersecurity.

DHSreachedout(inaudible)Russiatothestates.AndIthinkultimatelyabouteverystatetook advantageoftherecommendationsprofferedbyDHS.

Gentlemen,youwanttoaddtothat?

COMEY(?): Ithinkthat'stheanswerisjustunderstandingthey'reatargetandavailingthemselvesofthe expertiseandtechnologytotrytoprotectthemselvesthatweontheintelligencecommunityside pushingtotheindicatorsofthebadguys.

HEINRICH: Dir.Clapper,Iwanttowithmylastquestionsortofchangegearshereforamoment.Iaskedyouin theArmedServicesCommitteehearinglastweekabouttheroleofRussianpropaganda.Media outletslikeRT.

IsawacommentfromGen.FlynnlastAugustthatsortofcomparedRTtoC N NorMSNBC.Isit--is thatafairanalogy?IsthereastructuraldifferencebetweenthewaythatRTexistswithinthemedia infrastructureandsay,FoxNewsorMSN BC or NCNorCBS?

ROGERS(?): Tome,themajordifferenceisthelocalfundingforourteamcomeswiththeRussiangovernment andtheRussiangovernmentgiveseditorialdirectiononwhatRTissupposedtobroadcast.Ithink that'sarulebookdifferentinC N N.

HEINRICH: Andtheyseemtoexercisethatdiscretion?

ROGERS(?): Yestheydo.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 HEINRICH: Thankyou.

BURR: SenatorBlunt?

BLUNT: DirectorClapper,doesRTgetanyofitsbroadcastintotheUnitedStates?

CLAPPER: Yesitdoes,sir(ph).Itdoes,itsveryprevalentinEuropeandlesserso,Ithinkthere'sanRTchannel here.

BLUNT: Andthatwouldbeachannelthatwouldbeaccessibleheretosomenumberofpeoplehere?

CLAPPER: Yes.

BLUNT: Lemme...

CLAPPER: They(ph)didn'tmovethe--youknow,theaudiencesizeRTbut...

BLUNT: Idoubtifits--Idoubtifitsverylarge,wouldbemyguest.ButIdon'twannadefendRT,Ithinkit'sa propagandaarmofagovernmentthatisdefinitelynotonourside.Andweneedtobeawareofthat, weoughtta(ph)--needtobeawarethatIthinkyousaidatonepoint,thattheyIthinkatthatpoint youmeanttheRussians,thinkthis--thinkaboutthisholisticallyandusemanytools.

Butwe'vewatchedothercountries,theChineseparticularly,thatwealsobelieveworkholistically andusemanytools.Thisisoneofthetopicsasyouknowfromourothermeetingsovertheyears, I'mveryconcernedaboutcybergenerally.

I'malsoconcernedaboutourfailuretosecurefederalrecords.Ithinkwecouldcertainlygiveadvice tostatesastohowtosecuretheirrecordsincewe'vehadintrusionsintoourpersonnelsystems, sincewe'vehadhacking,intotheclearanceprocessthatasignificantnumberofAmericansincluding allofyouandmostofus,havegonethrough,thatareverydetailed.

Youknow,Iwasthestateelectionofficial,chiefelectionofficialinMissouriatonetime.Andthose records,whilecouldbeconfusingonElectionDay,Idon'tbelievethere'sanyevidenceofpolling placeswherepeoplehadlinesthatwerebackedupbecausetherewererecordchangesthatwere outoftheordinary.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Imeanoften,peopleshowupandsayoh,IknowIsentmyvotertransferinwhentheymayormay nothave.ButDirectorComey,wedon'thaveanyevidenceofanydisruptionoftheparticipation processbecausesomebodygotintolocalregistrationrecords,isthatcorrect?

COMEY: That'scorrect,senator.

BLUNT: It'salsomyopinionthatinanystateI'mawareof,there'snothinginthoserecordsthat'snot publicallyavailable.Youcangotothelocalregistrationoffice,youcanoftentodirectlyintothose recordstoaccessthoserecords.

Frankly,wehavelostalotmoresecurerecordsatthefederallevelthantherelativelyopenvoter registrationrecords.Thatdoesn'tmeanthatwedon'twannahelpstateandlocalofficialssecuretheir recordsineveryway.

ButthoseareneitherthemostconfidentialrecordsnorthehardestrecordstogetintoandIguessfor purposesofthisdiscussion,mostimportantlythere'snoindicationthatanyefforttogetintothose recordsimpactedElectionDay.

AndIthinkyou'veallrepeatedlysaidabsolutelynoindicationthatanything--any--therewasany intrusionintothevotecountingprocess.Iwasalocalelectionofficialwhenwefirststartedcounting ballotswithcomputers,andoneofmyconcernsalwayswasthatthesecurityforhowyouverifythat systemwasonlyreallyprotectedbyhowmanyofthosesystemsweregoingonalloverthecountry. Thediversityofthesystemitselfmakesitfairlyhardtomanipulate.Idon'tknowthatwebenefitby tryingtostandardizeiteither.Butwewillbenefitbyprovidingguidanceonhowtosecurethose importantrecords.

Noevidence,Ithinkyousaid,DirectorComey,thattheRussianswereabletogetintoTrump campaigne-mailorotherrecords,orthecurrent RN Crecords.Isthatright?

COMEY: That'scorrect.

BLUNT: Sosincewedon'tbelievetheygotin,thefactthattheyhadnothingtoreleaseshouldnotbeashock. (inaudible)havetherecords.

COMEY: Yes.

BLUNT: Andwedobelievetheytriedtogetin?

COMEY:

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Ican'tsaywithrespecttotheTrumpcampaign.WithrespecttotheRNC,there'snodoubttheyhitan RNCdomain.Andsoitcouldbetheywereaimingatthecurrentoneandjustmisseditandhitanold one.ButIcan'tsayforsure,sittinghere.

BLUNT: Well,IdoknowthatthechairmanoftheRNC,Iheardhimsayovertheweekendhethoughtthat theyhaddoneabetterjobsecuringtheirrecords.Whetherthat'strueornot,Iwouldn'tknow.IthinkI didreadinone,morethanonepublishedaccountthatthepasswordtoMr.Podesta'se-mailwas passwordone,withacouplevariationsofspelling,ofusingcapitalsorsomethinginpassword.So hopefullylotstobelearnedhere,andthankstoallofyouforyoureffortstohelpuslearn.

UNIDENTIFIEDMALE: Mr.Chairman,couldIjust--fortheSenator,anditwasinthepublicreport,intermsofYouTube viewsandYouTubesubscribers,RTactuallyhasabiggerpresenceintheUnitedStatesthanthe BBC.

BLUNT: AndtheBBC'salsofundedbythegovernment,right?

BURR: SenatorKing.

KING: Well,I'lljustfollowuponthatpointbecausethisisinthead--thisisintheannextothepublished report.RTAmerica,millionsofviewsonYouTube,850million;BBCabouttwo-thirdsofthat;C N N significantlylower.SamethinginYouTubesubscribers,RTAmerica450million.So,RTisa significantmediapresence.

AndIthinktheimportantpointwithregardtoRTisthatwearetalkingabouthacking,that'showthis discussionischaracterized.ButthiswasacomprehensivestrategyinvolvingRT,trolls,paid bloggers,hacking,thewhole--thewholepackage.Andinfact,GeneralClapper,thisisexactlywhat theRussianshavedonethroughoutEasternEuropeforsomeyears,isn'tthatcorrect?

CLAPPER: That'scorrect.Iassist(ph)astechnologyhasprogressedandtheRussianshavetakenadvantage ofitforthispurpose.

KING: Justto--IjustwanttomakesureIheardcorrectly.Mr.Comey,didyouanswerSenatorWyden's questionthatthereisaninvestigationunderwayastoconnectionsbetweeneitherthepolitical campaignsandtheRussian--Russians?

COMEY: Ididn'tsayonewayoranother.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 KING: Youdidn'tsaythattherewas...

COMEY: Thatwasmyintention,atleast.

KING: Youdidn'tsayonewayoranotherwhethereventhere'saninvestigationunderway?

COMEY: Correct.Idon't--especiallyinapublicforum,weneverconfirmordenyapendinginvestigation.I'm notsaying...

KING: TheironyofyourmakingthatstatementhereIcannotavoid,butI'llmoveon.

COMEY: Butwesometimesthinkdifferentlyaboutclosedinvestigations.ButheaskedmeifIhadanypending investigations,andwe'renotgoingtotalkaboutthat.

KING: Allright.Isitmyunderstandingthatthereareactuallythreereports,highlyclassified,thatonlywent tocertainindividuals?Classifiedwhichthiscommitteehasseen,andthepublicreport,butthatthe conclusionsofthosethreereportsareidentical.Isthatcorrect?

COMEY: That'scorrect.

KING: Andtheonlyissue--thedifferencebetweenthemissourcesandmethods.Isthatcorrect?

COMEY: Largely.

KING: Andthereasonyoucan'trevealsourcesandmethodsisthatyouwouldcompromisefuture opportunitiestogaininformation,andalsocompromisefragilesources?

COMEY: Exactly.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 KING: Itseemstomethattrustisoneoftheissues,andImentionedintheArmedServicesCommittee,my folksandtheytendtobeskeptical.Proveit.Speaktomeforamomentaboutthedifficultyofproving whatyou'veconcludedprettyunequivocally,withoutrevealingsources.HowdoIconvincemy--my barberinBrunswickthatthisisforreal?

CLAPPER: Well,that'swhywehaveIntelligenceOversightcommittees,torepresenttheAmericanpeoplewith whomwecannotshareasfullyandcompletelyaswemightliketheevidentiaryproofthatwehave andinwhichwe'reveryconfident.So,we'reverydependentthegivenmutualintelligencework(ph) tostartwith,verydependentonyouasouroverseerstolookatthatyourselvesonbehalfofthe electorate.

KING: ButIthinkitisimportanttomakethepointtothepublicwhysourcesandmethodsneedstobe- - needtobeprotected.

CLAPPER: Well,wespend--weneedtochew(ph)theCongressappropriates.Weliterallyspendbillionsof dollarsgainingtheseaccesseswhichwewould--we'djeopardize.Andofcoursethisthenimpairs thesupportthatwecanrendertotheoncomingadministrationandsuccessiveadministrations.And whenwe losethese accesses, ittakesmoneyandtime to recover them.Ntomentionputting ot potentiallyassetswhoworkforuslivesatrisk.

KING: Wasthereanypoliticalinfluencebroughttobearonanyofthethreeofyouinthepreparationofthis report?DidthePresidenttellyouwhathewantedtofind,orwasthissomehowapoliticized investigation?

CLAPPER: Absolutely,not.ThePresidentaskedustocompileallavailableinformationthatwehad,andwhen hewasbriefedonit,hemadethepointonceagainthathewasnot--hadnotandwasnotgoingto giveusanydirection.That'swhythisisanICproduct.Itisnotthatofthecurrentadministration.

KING: Mr.Comey,wouldyouaffirmthataswell?

COMEY: Yes.IhopeI'vedemonstratedbynowI'mtonedeafwhenitcomestopolitics,andthat'sthewayit shouldbe.

KING: Thankyou.DirectorBrennan,sameconclusion?

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 BREN NAN: Yes,absolutely.

KING: Final,sortoftechnicalquestion.InoticedthattheOctobertenth--I'msorry,theOctoberseventh statementwastheIC,thecommunityitself,implyingtheentirecommunity,thisonewasFBI,CIA, andDNI.Isthereanydifferencewhywasn'tthereportthatwasjustreleasedthatrepresentthe entire17-agencycommunity?

CLAPPER: Again,becausethethreeexclusivecontributorstothisarerepresentedhere,andbecauseofthe sensitivityofthe--manyofthesources,wemadeajudgmenttorestrictittothesethreeagencies.

KING: So,therewasno--therewasnoeliminationofotherviews?

CLAPPER: No,there'swasnonethatwefelt--again,becauseofthesensitivitiesofassociatedsource,which wetrytoprotectevenwithintheintelligencecommunity,to--tocastthereportfrom--asfrom emanatingfromthesethreeagencies.

KING: Thankyou.Thankyou,Mr.Chairman.

BURR: SenatorLankford.

LANKFORD: Gentlemen,thankyou.Thankyouforyourworkandyourservicetothecountry,andtheleadership you'vebrought.

Ineedtoaskacoupleofquestions,somethatyou'veheardbefore,andjustforquickreview,andI wanttobuildonseveralthingsfromthereport.Justtoclarifyagain,whatdoesanyoneknowofany votesthatwerechangedoranattempttochangevotes.

CLAPPER: Wehaveno--aswestatedin--inthereport--wehavenoevidenceofanymanipulationofvote tallieswhatsoever.

LANKFORD: Voterrolls?

CLAPPER:

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 No.Therewasreconnoitering,intrusiononcertainvoterrolls,buttothebestofourknowledgeno manipulationofthem.

LANKFORD: Givemeabestguess.HowmanyothercountriesisRussiacurrentlyorhave,let'ssayinthelast fouryears,triedtoinfluenceintheirelections?

CLAPPER: Ithinkoneoftheannexesportraysthat,thenumberofcountriesthatinonedegreeoranother Russiahasexpendedefforttotrytoinfluencepoliticalviewsoropinions.

LANKFORD: Fifteencountries,20?Givemeaballpark.

CLAPPER: Acoupledozenmaybe.

LANKFORD: OK,somaybe20orso?YoualsomakeacommentinthereportitselfaboutpreviousU.S.elections andRussianengagementinpreviousU.S.elections,goingallthewaybacktoKGB,puttinga person,recruitingaDemocratPartyvolunteeroractivist--youdidn'tgivethedetailsonit--evenon JimmyCarter'scampaigninthe1970s,movingforward.

Tellmeaboutthedifferencesinaggressivenessandstyle,iftheRussianandthenbacktoeventhe Sovietsbefore,havebeeninvolvedinourelectionssincethe1970sandbefore.Tellmethedegree ofdifferenceinthisoneversushowthey'vebeenengagedinothers.

CLAPPER: Thehistoryofthisgoesbacktothe60s.AndwhenwesayRussiansattemptedtofundcertain candidates,parlaycertainlinesofopinionorlinesofview,andofcoursetheyhadinthedayradio broadcastandthatsortofthingtheywoulddo.Andasthetechnologyhasincreased,they'vegotten moretoolsavailabletothem.They'vebroadenthespectrumofthingsthattheyhavedone.

Whatisuniqueandwhatisdisturbing,though,aboutthiselection,2016,istheaggressivenessand thevarietyoftoolstheyusedintheiractivismintryingtoconveyinformationthattheystoleinan efforttoinfluencetheoutcomeoftheelection.That'sdifferentthananypreviouscase.

LANKFORD: So,additionaltools,additionalaggressiveness.They'vebeenengagedinourelectionsbefore.This onewasjustatamuchhigherlevel?

CLAPPER: Yes.

LANKFORD:

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 YoumentionedaswellabouttheRussianstryingtohackintobothDemocratscomputersand politicaloperationsandRepublican.Democraticincomputerandpoliticaloperations.Betweenthe, let'sjustsayDNCandRNC,let'suselooseterms--Iunderstandthere'smultipleotherentitiesthat areconnectedthere.BetweenDN CandRN C,weretheyabletopenetratethesameleveltogetthe samequantity,quality,andtypeofmaterials,orwasthereadifferencebetweenwhattheywereable togleanfromtheDemocraticDNCortheRNC?

COMEY(?): TheygotfardeeperandwiderintotheDN CthantheRN C.

LANKFORD: Didtheyusesimilarmethodswithboth?Theywereabletoactuallypenetratedeeper,orwhy?

COMEY(?): Hardtosay.Hardtosayinthisforum,hardtosayeveninaclosedforumbecausetheydidn'tget intotheRNCit'shardertosee--itmakesithardertoanswer.Similartechniques,thespearphishing techniqueswereusedinbothcases.ButthereisnodoubtthattheyweremoreDNCdeeperand widerthanRNC.

DidhitsomeRepublicanaffiliatedorganizations,butnotthecurrent RN Citself.Theydidn'tgetin.

LANKFORD: So,we'regettingtocurrentinformation,basically?

(UNKNOWN ) NotontheRNC.Theygotatthestatelevelsomecurrentinformation,butnotRNCcurrent.

LANKFORD: OK,youalsohighlightseveralotherwaysthattheRussianshavebeenengagedinournation,just asawhole.Youmentionnotonlytheelectionandpreviouselections,butyoualsomoveandgive twopracticalexamplesofhowtheRussianshavebeenengagedinourpoliticalsystem.

Onewasananti-frackingcampaignthattheRussiansseemedtobeengagedin.Andanotherone wastheOccupyWallStreetmovementthattheRussianswereengagedinaswell.Anyadditional highlights,oranyadditionaldetailsthatyoucangiveonthat?Iwasinterested(ph)thatyou highlightedthose.

Canwetellthenatureof--forinstance,withtheOccupyWallStreet,thesocialmediapagesthat werecreatedtogivecommunicationcapabilitiestotheoccupyprotesters,howthosewereusedand ifthosewereused?

LANKFORD: Colonel(ph),I'll(ph)take(ph)thatonefortherecordfor--justtobe--forthesakeofaccuracyjust exactlywhattheydidinthosetwocampaigns.I--I--Idon'thavethatoff(ph)thetopofmyhead.

(UNKNOWN )

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 OK,sothey--itwasjustinthereport.Ithoughtitwasinterestingjustasawayofillustrationinthe reportthattherewasanillustrationtosaythatthey'vealsobeenengagedinsomeoftheanti- frackingandsomeoftheOccupyWallStreetmovementaswell.Sir,Iappreciateyourwork,thank you,yieldback.

BURR: SenatorManchin.

SEN.JOEMAN CHIN: Thanks,Chairman.I(ph)thankallofyourforyourserviceandifImightask,wasthere--wasthere anydisagreementsontheinvolvementthatRussiahashad--ortheirattemptstohaveinthis processofourelectionsbyanyoftheintelligencecommunity?

Didanyofthesehavedifferenttakesonthisorhavetocollaborateinordertocometoone--one conclusion?

(UNKNOWN ) There--therewasoneaspectthatthe--therewasadifferenceinconfidencelevelsheldbyNSA versustherestofusononesingleaspect.I'dbemorecomfortablediscussingthatinclosedsession.

MANCHIN: OK.Anyothercountriesthathavebeenhackingusfromastandpointthatbringsaconcernthatyou havewithus(ph)?You'resayingthatnoone'severdonethistothislevelinourpoliticalprocessbut when(ph)youlookattheespionage,sabotage,basicallythroughmilitaryorindustrial.

(UNKNOWN ) Well,there'salotofespionage.Certainlycollectingus(ph)withtradinginformation.Obviouslythe Chinesecometomind.Butin,verymuchacontrastbetween--whether(ph)thepassivecollection- - thepassiveexploitation(ph)asopposedtotheactivelypurloining(ph)informationandusingitfora politicalend.That'sthedifferencehere.

(CROSSTALK)

MANCHIN: ...sessions(ph)areunique.

(UNKNOWN ) Yes.

MANCHIN: Ithinkallofushavebeenverymuchconcernedthattheoutcomeoftheelectionwasalteredand youhadbeenveryclearsayingthatithasnotbeenaltered,norwouldtheoutcomeofthiselection havebeenanydifferent.

(UNKNOWN )

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Well,I'dhavetoclarifyoneaspectofwhatyoujustsaid,Senator.Wedidnotassesstheimpacton theelectorate.Wedidnotdopublicopinionpollsbecausethat'snotourcharter--theintelligent community--todothat.So,wecan'tjustsayaboutwhether--whetherthereleaseofthehacked informationoutrightchangedanyvoter'sopinion,wedon'tknow.

MANCHIN: OK.(INAUDIBLE)What--whatrecommendationsofsanctionswouldyouhave?Whatsanctions recommendationdoyouthinkwoulddeterRussiaoranyothercountryfromcontinuingtohackus?

CLAPPER: Wellthat'sclearlyapolicycall,wegotintothatlastThursdayatSenatorArmedServicesCommittee andtherearearangeoftoolsthatwecoulduseandIthinkAdmiralRogers,inmyview,isthatwe shouldconsiderthewholerangeoftools,notnecessarilydoacyberforcyberreaction.Andtolook atallofthem.

MANCHIN: I'mthinking,whatI'mtryingtogettoisifhackingissoseriousandwithtechnologythatwehave todaycanalterourlives,relativelyveryquickly,ifthat'sallcapabilityandpossibilitiesofhappening, shouldn'twehaveabroad-basicallypolicyintheUnitedStatesofAmericathatanyhacking internationallythat'sbeenconfirmedandconcurredbytheintelligencecommunityonceyouall basicallyauthorizethatthishappened-asyou'veagreedrightnow,thishappenedinourelectoral processthatweshouldenforcethesanctionsonanycountrythatdoesthis,sotodetermine (inaudible).

CLAPPER: Well,IthinkisagainthediscussionwehadintheArmedServicesCommitteeThursdaywasifyour conductingespionage,thenifwe'regoingtopunish-nation(ph)states(ph)aregoingtopunish eachotherforconductingespionagewhichisapassivecollectionof(ph)information.That's-that's aprettyheavypolicycallwhichIdon'tthinkanyofuswantto-wanttomake.Whenit'sanactivist campaignasitwashere,that'sadifferentpropositionandagain,Ithinkit'snotourcalltodecide whattodoinresponse.OuronlycommentandI'llrepeatitwas,toconsiderthewholerangeof potentialtools,orinstrumentsofpower-nationalpower-torespond.Thechallengeyougetintowith cyberforcyberofcourseyouhavetoalsoconsiderthecounterretaliationtothat.Andwhilewe spendalotoftimeagonizingoverprecisionandbeingverysurgicaltheadversariesmaynotbe quiteaspreciseaswemightbut.Soagain,bottomline,consideralltools.

MANCHIN: I'mjustsayingwhenweknowit's(ph)states(ph)sponsor,articlefiveofNATOtreatyspecifiesthat allNATOmemberswilldefendthesovereigntyandterritoryintegrity(ph)ofourotheralliesifthey're attacked.HasNATOintervenedatall?Hasanyoftheothercountriesintervenedinthis?Our(ph) NATOallies?

CLAPPER: Well,Ican'tspeakforeachindividualNATOmember,whattheymay-mayormaynothavedoneto defendthemselvesortoretaliateagainsttheperceivedcyberattack.Idon't-

MANCHIN:

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Didwe,astheUnitedStatesdefendanyofthemwhenthey'vebeenattacked?

CLAPPER: Well,iftheN ATOallianceandmembernationininvokesarticlefive,Ibelievethat'stheprovision.I'm gettingoutofmylanehere,that'swhereattackagainstoneisconsideredanattackagainstall.I don'tknowthatthat'severbeenexercised.Idon'tthinkithasinthecybercontext.

MANCHIN: ThankyouMr.Chairman,mytimeasexpired.

CLAPPER: SenatorCotton.

COTTON: Iwanttoaddmyvoiceofgratitudetothemanymembersofthiscommitteewho'veexpressedour gratitudeforthemenandwomenofourintelligencecommunity.AsPresident-ElectTrumpsaidon Friday,hehastremendousrespectforthosemenandwomenandIsharethataswell.Second, thosemenandwomen haveconcludedthatRussiahackedintotheDN CandJohnPodesta'se-mail. Andwhilethiscommittee,asthechairmansaid,willconductathoroughinquiryintothismatter,I havenoreasontodoubtthoseconclusions.Third,Idon'tdoubtitinpartbecauseVladimirPutinis (KGB).Alwayshasbeen,alwayswillbe.BackintheColdWar,Russianintelligenceusedtoreferto theUnitedStatesasthemainenemyandtheystilldotoday.VladimirPutinunderminedtheUnited Statesandourinterestsforthesamereasonthescorpionstingsthefrogasitcrossestheriver.It's inhisnature.Andhe'sdonemuchworseforthelast18yearsacrossnumerousdomains.

(Inaudible)DonaldTrumpwonthiselectionfairandsquare.VladimirPutindidn'thackintoHillary Clinton'scalendaranddeleteralliesinMichiganandWisconsin.Didn'thackintothespeechwriter's computeranddeletespeechesthatlaidoutcompellingvisionfortheworkingclass.

It'stimetolookintothemirror,saythatHillaryClintonlostthiselectionnotbecauseofVladimirPutin orJimComeyorfakenewsortheElectoralCollege,butbecausesheranabadcampaign.

Thatbringsmetoaconclusioninthereportabouttheclearescalation,Dir.Clapper,ofthescopeof theactivities.ThatRussiahasconductedthesekindsofactivitiesinrecentyears,butthiswasa clearescalationinthescopeandthescale.Isthatcorrect?

CLAPPER: That'scorrect.

COTTON: WhydidtheythinktheycouldgetawaywiththatkindofclearescalationagainstU.S.interests?

CLAPPER: Ithinkthechallenge,particularlyinthesenator(ph)realmI'llsay,isthatthere'skindofaninsidious progressionofaggressiveness.I'vecertainlyseeninthelastsixyearsorsowhereothercountries getprogressivelymore--astheydevelopmorecapability,theyalsohaveanintendedwillingness (ph)totrytouseit.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Andwe'reseeingtheseparticularlywiththesecondtier,meaningNorthKoreaandIran,whoare- - don'thavethecybercapability,wedon'tbelieve,ofthelevelofsophisticationofcertainlythe RussiansortheChinese.Buttheyareprogressing.Andthat's,tome,what'sbothersomeaboutthis wholebusinessofcyber.Andwhendoyoubeofamind(ph)tosayyouknowenough'senough?

COTTON: Let'smovetothequestionofmotive.

ThereportstatesthatatfirstRussia,intheassessmentoftheIC,hadadesiretounderminethe U.S.democracy,tosewdiscordandconfusion.Overtime,though,asitviewedHillaryClintonasthe likelywinner,toundermineherpresidency.Butovertimeitdevelopedaclearpreference,isthe language,forDonaldTrump.CanyoutelluswhenRussiaviewedHillaryClintonasthelikely winner?

CLAPPER: Ithinkthatwasinthesummertimeframe,perhapsJuly,Augustorso.

COTTON: CanyoutelluswhenyoubelievethatVladimirPutindevelopedaclearpreferenceforDonald Trump?

CLAPPER: Sometimeafterthat.Idon'tknowthat,andcertainlynotinthissetting,wecanpickadatewhenhe shiftedgears.Butheclearlydid.

COTTON: DidheortheintelligenceserviceseverbelievethatDonaldTrumpwasalikelywinner?

CLAPPER: Initially,no.Theythoughthewasafringecandidateanddidn'tthinkthatatall.

COTTON: Andiftheyhadliedaboutthereportovertheweekendsaidsomething,Iparaphrase,thatRussian cyberattackaimstoinstallPutininWhiteHouse.Wouldamoreaccurateheadlineperhapsbe RussiancyberattackaimstoundermineexpectedClintonpresidency?

CLAPPER: Idon'tthinkyou'llfindalinelikethatinourreport.

COTTON: Yourassessmentofmotiveisbasedinpartontheselectiveleakingandtherelativelevelsof targetingDemocraticmaterialandRepublicanmaterialontheonehandversustheother.Isthat correct?SothatmoreDemocraticmaterialwasleaked,eventhoughRussia...

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 CLAPPER: Clearly.

COTTON: IsitpossiblethattheyjustleakedtheDemocraticmaterialbecausetheythoughtHillaryClintonwas goingtowinandtheywantedtoundermineher?Theydidn'tviewitasprofitabletoleakRepublican material?

CLAPPER: Wellthat's--yes.Imeanthatwouldseemtobethelogicalobservation,thatthey've--thefavored thepresident-electandtheywishedtodenigrateasmuchaspossibleHillaryClinton.Andhadshe won,theirplanwastotrytoundermineherpresidency.

COTTON: Onefinalquestionabouttheleaksthathavehappenedinthiscase.

First,inDecember,beforePresidentObamadirectedthisreviewtooccur.Andthentherewerenone untillastWednesdaynightwhentheWashingtonPostreportedowhatmaybesensitivesignals intelligence.Dir.Comey,haveyoureceivedacrimesreportfromanyoneintheintelligence communityabouttheseleaks?

COMEY: Idon'tthinkyetastotheDecemberleakoranything,obviously,thismonth.Notyet.

COTTON: Mr.Chairman,Isuggestthatweshouldincludethoseleaksaspartofourinquiry.

BURR: Thechairandthevicechairareworkingonthatrightnow.

SenatorHarris?

HARRIS: Dir.Clapper,yourreportstatesthat"weassessRussianintelligenceserviceswillcontinueto developcapabilitiestoprovidePutinwithoptionstouseagainsttheUnitedStates,judgingfrompast practiceandcurrentefforts."

Yougoontowrite"immediatelyafterElectionDayweassessRussianintelligencebegana spearfishingcampaigntargetingU.S.governmentemployeesandindividualsassociatedwiththe UnitedStatesthinktanksandNGOsinnationalsecuritydefenseandforeignpolicyfields.This campaigncouldprovidematerialforfutureinfluenceefforts."

Andthenyouindicatethatthe"electionoperationsignalsanewnormalinRussianinfluence operations."Soindeed,thisistroubling.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Myquestionis,istheintelligencecommunitysupportingeffortstoensurethatthecomputer, networksandpersonaldevicesofthepresident-electandhistransitionteamareprotectedfrom continuedinfluence?

CLAPPER: It'smyunderstandingthattheyarevery,verysensitivetothisthreat.Andwe'vedonewhatwecanto educatethetransitionteamaboutthepitfallsofmobiledevicesinsecureareasandthelike.

HARRIS: Doyoubelieveyoureducationeffortshavebeensuccessful?

CLAPPER: You'dhavetoaskthemIthink.

HARRIS: Whataboutthepresident-elect'sTwitteraccount?Andinparticular,whatisbeingdonetosafeguard hisphoneandaccountgiventhepotentiallydirenationalsecurityconsequencesofaninfiltration?

CLAPPER: Probablybestlefttoclosedenvironmenttotalkaboutthat.

HARRIS: OK.

AndDir.Comey,thisismoreofacommentthanaquestion.ButIwanttoechothepointsmadeby Sens.WydenandKing.

IunderstandwhytheFBIcannotdiscloseandcommentonongoinginvestigations.However,it seemsthatdespitepastprecedent,thenewstandardthatwascreatedoverthesummerandfall regardinginvestigationintoSec.Clinton'semailserverwasthattherewasauniquepublicinterestin thetransparencyofthatissue.

Particularlygiventhefindingsofyourreport,I'mnotsureIcanthinkofanissueofmoreserious publicinterestthanthisone.ThiscommitteeneedstounderstandwhattheFBIdoesanddoesnot knowaboutcampaigncommunicationswithRussia.AndIhopethatwecanfollowuponthisin closedsessiontohavemoreofanideaofwhattheFBIknowsandwhatwemightdotopreventany furtherharm.Thankyou.

BURR: Sen.Cornyn?

CORNYN: Thankyou,Mr.Chairman.Andthankstoeachofyouforyourservicetothecountry,andforthe peopleyourepresentwhofaithfullydischargetheirdutiesdaily,manytimesunheralded.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Iwantedtoask,firstofall.ThereseemstobeadisparitybetweentheRNCserversandtheDNC serversintermsoftheirvulnerability.

Adm.Rogers,thissortofperhapsisagoodquestionforyou.Butisgoodpracticeintermsof defensesimportantintermsofsecuringinformationlikethat,thatwasstoleninthesehacks?

ROGERS: Yes.

CORNYN: Wouldthisalsobe--wouldyourconcernsaboutthevulnerabilityofthe--ofaprivateserveralso extendtogovernmentofficialsusingprivateemailserversandengagingintheexchangeof classifiedinformationonthoseprivateemailservers?

ROGERS: Iwouldargueeveryoneneedstohaveanawarenessofhowtheycommunicate,whetherwe're talkingprofessional(ph)oratwork.That'sthenatureoftheworldwefindourselvesinnow.

CORNYN: Andtodosoincompliancewiththelaw,theprotocolofthefederalgovernment.

WhendidtheRussiansfirstbegintohackU.S.networks?Adm.Rogers?

ROGERS: Withrespecttothisparticularissue?

CORNYN: No.I'mjustwonderinghowlonghasthisbeengoingon?

ROGERS: Sincethe1990s,offthetopofmyhead.

CORNYN: OK.Sowhilethishascertainlybecomemuchmorevisibleandfocused,giventhefocusoftheeffort, thisclearlyisalongstandingeffortbynation-states,includingRussia,tohackintoournetworks. Correct?

ROGERS: Yes,wehaveseenlongstandingeffortstohackintoournetwork.

CORNYN: Thiswasperhapsunusual.MaybeIshouldaskyou.Inthattherewasacoordinationbetweenthe hackingandthepropagandaeffortsofRussiainother--inordertotrytounderminethelegitimacyof theelectionprocess.Dir.Clapper,doyouagreewiththatstatement?

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 CLAPPER: Yes.Orchestratedbytheintelligenceservices.

CORNYN: Andisthisthefirsttimeinyourexperiencewhereyou'veseenthatsortofmultilayered,multifaceted coordinationbetweenpropagandaeffortsandhackingintoournetworks?Oristhisanew...

CLAPPER: Well,it's...

CORNYN: ...newzenith(ph)?

CLAPPER: It'saprogressionofcapabilitiesasthey'veacquiredandusedthem.Andcertainlyhavelongstanding practiceslikethatagainstEuropeancountries.

CORNYN: AndwhathastheUnitedStatesdonesinceUnitedStatesgovernment--orwe'llstartwithU.S. government.WhathavewedonetorespondtothehackingsthathavebeenoccurringinU.S. networkssincethe1990sinordertodiscourageordeterthatsortofactivity?

CLAPPER: Well,we'vetriedtoupourgamedefensively.Wehaveyouknowselectivelyresponded.Sony Picturesattackcomestomind.Andcertainlytherewasaresponsetothiscase.

CORNYN: Buttheissue,asIsaidearlier,isifnation-statesareconductingespionageagainstoneanother, whichwedoaswell,asmanyothernation-states,that's--andifthestandardistopunishwhenthe - -becauseoftheconductofdetectedespionage,wellthat'sanotherpolicycall.

AsIrecallduringthe(inaudible)abouttheSonyhack,therewasalotofdiscussionastohowdoyou characterizethis.Wasthisanactofwar?Orwasthisacommercial--istherecriminalactivity involvingthecommercialenterprise.Howdoyou--howdoyou--howdoyouthinkaboutthat?Is that--havewegottenbetteraboutcharacterizingthenatureoftheattack?

(UNKNOWN ) Wellwe--weintheintelligencecommunityandparticularlytheBureauIthinkdoesanexcellentjob ofattribution.Andthenofcoursethehardpartiswhatifanythingtodoaboutit?AndagainIwould repeatwhatwassaidearlierabout,wasitagainstacyberactivityisthebestresponseacounter cyberactivityornot?Intheendwe--therewasn'tacasewiththeSonyattack.Buttherecouldbe multipleoptionsasIthinkyoualludedto,itdoesn'tneedtojustbecyberforcyber,wecanvote(sp) amultitudeof...

(CROSSTALK)

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 (UNKNOWN ) Militaryoptions--thatwas--yessirthatwasa(inaudible).IthinkthatAdmiralRogersandIare madetotheSenateArmsServiceCommittee,wheretheyhadthisdiscussionthereTuesday.

CORNYN: And,perhapsthisisheresysinceI'mmemberoftheintelligencecommitteebutletmejustgiveyou myimpressionthatwehavesofracturedthejurisdictionofoversightofcyberissuesthat(inaudible) stillfiguresomebetterwholeofgovernmentapproachandIseeSenatorRains(sp)smilingbecause ofcoursetheArmsServicescommitteehassomeinvolvementinthis.HomelandSecurityand Governmentaffairs.ButweneedtofigureoutsomewayIthinktodealwithitonawholeof governmentapproach.Sowe'reworkingasefficientlyandeffectivelyaspossible.And,Iknowfrom whatIreadinthenewspaperofPresidentElectTrumpissaidhewantstocommissionastudyto comebacktohimwithin90days,ifI'mnotmistakenwithsomerecommendationsinthatregard.We wouldcertainlywelcomeyourinsightandadvice.Thankyou.

BURR: SenatorReed.

REED: ThankyouMr.Chairmanandgentlemanthankyouforyourdedicatedservicetothenationformany manyyears.Thenonclassifiedintelligenceassessmentwhichisavailabletothepublicconcludes thatquotePutin,hisadvisorsandtheRussiangovernmentdevelopedaclearpreferencefor PresidentElectTrumpoverSecretaryClinton,closedquote.Inpartbecausequote,Puthashad manypositiveexperiencesworkingwithwesternpoliticalleaders,who'sbusinessinterestsmade themmoredisposedtodealwithRussia,suchasformerItalianPrimeMinisterSilvioBerlusconi,and formerGermanChancellorGerhardSchroeder.EitherGeneralClapperorDirectorComey,doesthe communityhaveanyintelligencetosuggestthatPresidentElectTrumporthoseclosetohimmay havebusinessintereststhatmadethemmoredisposedtodealwithRussia?

COMEY: TheRussiansjustbelievedorcametotheconclusionthatbecausethePresidentElectisabusiness manthathewouldbeeasiertomakedealswithand--thantheDemocrats.

REED: Thankyou.DirectorClapper,attheArmedServiceCommitteehearingIaskedyouwhether,given thescopeandthedifficultyofhidingallofthedifferentaspectsofthiscomprehensivecampaignwas this--what'sworsethatPutinadvisedthattherewasasignificantchanceofbeingdiscoveredand second,didhedisregardthatbecausehewantedtosendamessageaswellasbeingdisruptiveof ourprocess?And,youdifferedthatresponseuntilafteryou'dbriefedthePresidentandPresident Elect.Canyouaddanythingtothat?

CLAPPER: I'msorrysir,thatinthecourse--wouldyourepeatthequestion?

REED:

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Giventhemultipleaspectsofthiscampaign,thehacking,thetrolling,thesocialmedia,theideathat thiscouldbecomeunnoticedandgiventhescaleandtheintent,wouldbeunnoticedraisesone questionatleast.Washeinanywayadvisedthatyou'retakingariskhereandseconddidhe disregardthatrisk,notonlytobedisruptivebutalsotosignaltotheworldthatheispreparedto engageinthistypeofoperationandsendusasignal?

CLAPPER: WellIthink,aswe'veseen,heIthinkalwaysfeelsthat--orfeltthathehaddeniability.That--andof coursethat'swhat--that'swhattheboththeRussiangovernmentandtheRussianmediaare denyinganyculpability.Andwe'resomewhatrestrictedbecauseofoursourcesandmethods concernsaboutshowingourhand--showingourdeckheresotospeak.And,whatleadustothose conclusionsthatwefeelsostronglyabout.Soheknowsthat,heaprofessionalintelligenceofficer andheprobablyunderstandsourapproachfortheprotectionofsourcesandmethodsandsohecan justdenyitandgetawaywithit.

REED: Andjustafinalpointhere...

UNKN OWN: IfIcouldaddSenator.WhenyousaidabreakinthepressinearlyAugust,Ihadaconversationwith theDirectoroftheFSB,AlexanderBortnikovandtoldhimclearlythatifRussiawasdoingthisthey wereplayingwithfireanditwouldbackfireandtheywouldroundlycondemnedbythe--notonlythe U.S.governmentbutalsotheAmericanpeople.AndhesaidhewouldrelaythattoMr.Putinatthe time.Hedeniedanytypeofactivityalongtheselines,butImadeitverycleartohimthatbasically we'reontothem.

REED: Finalpoint.Everyonehasindicatedandthereportindicatesthattherewasaneffortmadeagainst theDemocraticpoliticalcampaignsandRepublicanpoliticalcampaignsbutonewasmuchmore aggressive,franklythantheotherintermsoffindingwaysintotheserversofnotonlytheDNCbutto individualDemocraticoperatives.Givenwhatyoupositasagoalofthe--ofPutinwhichwasto discreditSecretaryClintonasmuchaspossible,assumingshemightbepresidentorinsomeway disruptinghercampaign.Itseemstobe--atleasttomelogicalthattheywoulddevotethosekindof resourcestoone--togoingafterDemocraticcomputersratherthanresourcesofrepublicans.Isthat borneoutbyyouranalysisDirectorClapper?

CLAPPER: Yes.

REED: Thankyouverymuch.ThankyouMR....

BURR: SenatorRisch.

RISCH:

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Well,Mr.Chairmanletmesaythataftersittingthroughthis,itputthisinperspectiveforthe Americanpeople.Thoseofuswhoareinvolvedintelligencemattersatthedaishereandforthat matteratthetable.Idoubttherewasanyonewhowasshockedorevenmildlysurprisedwhenthese factscameout.

Thishackingbusinessisubiquitousandithasbeensincetheinternetwassetup.Thequestionwas askedwhendidRussiastartthis?Iwouldexpectitwasthedaythattheyhookeduptotheinternet. Thisis--thisgoesonconstantlyandaswe'vebeensittinghere,therehavebeenthousandsof effortsagainstU.S.entities,U.S.computers,government,nongovernmentandthisisjustinthe U.S.Thisisgoingonallovertheworld.

We've,thoseofuswhoengageinthisandhavewatchedthesethingsandmostofwhichnever becomepublic.Onascaleofonetotenwe'veseenanumberof10's.Thisonedoesn'tcomeclose toa10.Buttheinterestingthingisbecauseit'sbeeninthepolitical--it'sinthepoliticalspectrum,it hascaughtthefancyofthemedia.It'scaughtthefancyoftheAmericanpeople.

Russiaisnot,inmyjudgment,themostaggressiveactorinthisbusiness.Ithinkthereareother actorsthataremuchmoreaggressive,andindeedIthinkmuchmoredangerous.Itisn'tlimitedto stateactors.There'restateactors.There'snon-stateactors.Andthere'scombinations.Theygoafter everything.Thecriminalelementisparticularlytroublingtoalotofpeople.

IjustheardDir.ClapperIthinkisthefirsttimeI'veeverheardanadmissionbyanintelligence personthattheU.S.doesespionage.BythatIthinkhe'sinferringinthecontextwerehimthatthe U.S.doesthis.NowI'mnotconfirmingthat.I'llleavethattoMr.Clappertodo.

Butnonetheless,theotherinterestingthingIfoundisIthinkIagreewithDir.Clapperentirelythat youwanttobecarefulherewhenyou'retalkingabouthowyou'regoingtorespondtothisandifit's respondedtowithasimilartypeofhacking.Thatescalatesvery,veryquickly.Andwe'vesatthrough actuallygettingoutwhatwouldhappeninasituationwherewehadanactualhacking,andthen decidedhowweweregoingtorespondtoitandifwedidhowtheothersidewouldrespondtoit.

ThegoodthathascomeoutofallofthisisthatfinallyIthinktheAmericanpeoplearegettinga pictureofhowbigthisis,howubiquitousitis,howdangerousitis.Andthatsomethinghastobe doneaboutit.Dir.ClapperIthinkiscorrectthatourresponsehasbeentoupourgameasfarasour defensivepostureisconcerned.Andreallythatiswherethefocusneedstobe.

Andagain,onewouldhopewecouldfindthesilverbulletwhereyoucouldstandupadefenseand saylook,it'sthere.Thiscanneverbepenetrated.Anythingthathappensbehindthiswallisjustfine. Idon'tknowifI'lllivetoseethatday.Idon'tknowifanybodywill.

Butinanyevent,itisgoodthatwehavethisonthetable.It'sgoodthatwe'rehavingthediscussion aboutit.AndI'mhopingthateveryonewillbepatientwithus,andwillbesupportiveaswedoour besttoupourgame,todefendonthesethings,particularlyintherealmofmostofthechallenges thatthegovernment,thatgenerally--andthepublicgenerallydoesn'thearaboutbuttheintelligence communitydoes.

Thankyou,Mr.Chairman.

BURR: Thankyou.Sen.Risch.

Thevotehasstarted.Sen.Warnerwouldlikeaquestionandaclarification.Ihaveaclarification.Do anyothermembersseekanythinginthisopensession?Ifnot,I'llrecognizeSen.Warner.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 WARNER: Myquestionisthis.Imean(inaudible)mycolleague'scomment.Manyofusfelttheconclusions wereaccurate.Inmanywaysitwasthepresident-electuntilFridaywhowasquestioningthese results.

Ibelieve--andIgobacktoyourcommentsinmyfirstlineofquestioning.Whenallfourofyou,with literallyhundredsofyearsofexperiencesaidyouhaveneverseenanythinginyourcareerthat approachesthislevelofRussianactivities.Andyouthink(inaudible)isthemostseriousthreat.But anyonethatunderestimatestheseriousnessofthisRussianthreatIthinkdoessoattheirownperil.

Iwanttoaskyou,Dir.Comey,andthenIwanttogetaclarification.IfathiefcameuptotheDNC andbrokeinandstoleallofthemostvaluableinformation,andthatsamethiefthendrovetothe RNC.Andbecausetheyhadabetterlockonthedoorwasonlyabletobreakinandgetsomeold information.Wouldbothofthosebecrimes?Andwouldbothofthosebeprosecuted?

COMEY: Sure.Yes.

WARNER: Dir.Clapper,onethingthatIwantedtoclarify,becauseIthinkitwasSen.Collins.Theremighthave beensomeambiguity.TheconclusionyoureachedthattheRussiangovernmentatitshighestlevels wastargetingClintonandfavoringPutinwasnottheresultsimplyof...

(UNKNOWN ) Favoring.

WARNER: I'msorry,favoringTrumpanddisfavoringClintonwasnottheresultsimplyofmoreleakageonthe Democraticside.ButIbelieve,baseduponpageoneofyourunclassifiedreportisthatPutinmost likelywantedtodiscreditClintonsinceRepublicanblamedhersince2011andinaseriesofother activities.

ThatconclusionoffavoringTrumpandnotfavoringClintonwasnotsimplytheresultof disproportionateleakingontheDemocraticside.Isthatcorrect?Ijustwanttoclarifythatforthe record.

CLAPPER: Imeanjustbyvirtueofthehacking?

WARNER: Iwasleftwiththeimpressionthatthereasonyoureachedtheconclusionthattherewasfavoringof TrumpoverClintonwasbecauseofthedisproportionatereleasingofinformation.I'veseeninthe non-classifiedreportlotsofevidencetherewasongoingconcernsbetweenPutinandClinton.

CLAPPER:

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 That'sclearlyoneaspectofthis.Butwereviewedthetotalityofwhattheyweredoing.Whetherby thismeansorbythemultifacetedpropagandacampaign,theuseofsocialmediatools,planning, fakenews.Therewasacampaign,allofwhichclearlyseemedtofavor--clearlyfavored...

(CROSSTALK)

WARNER: Includingaftertheelections...

(CROSSTALK)

CLAPPER: ...thepresident-electoverSec.Clinton.

WARNER: Includingaftertheelection,thefactthatRussianeffortstodiscredittheelectoralprocessinAmerica stopped.

CLAPPER: WellIthinkthatwasanoverallobjectivethroughouttoaccomplishthatobjective.Andthenasthings movedonandprogressed,clearlyaproclivityforthepresident-electandanattempttodenigrate Sec.Clinton.

COMEY(?): IfImightadd,senator,that'sthechallengeoftheunclassifiedforum.There'smorebehindthat conclusion.Wejustcan'ttalkaboutithere.

BURR(?): Dir.Clapper,Ithinkthisisinthescopeofanopensession.You'lltellmeifit'snot.

IsthereanyintelligencethatRussianleadership,specificallyPutin,directedtheGRUortheSVRto penetratethesepoliticalorganizations?Orwastheleadershipinvolvementinthisprocesstriggered bywhattheywereabletoexfiltrate?Andwhentheleadershipsawthebreadthofinformationthey directedthisinformationcampaigntohappen?

CLAPPER: YousaidinyourOctoberstatementthere--thiscamefromthehighestlevelsofthegovernment. AndIwouldassessthattherewasoverallbroaddirectiongivenwithexecutioncarriedoutbythe services.

BURR(?): SoonecantakethefactthatthishasbeenacontinualfishingprocessonthepartoftheRussians thatstartedin2014.Thatfrom2014forwardthatwasalldirectedbythehighestechelonsofRussian government?

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 CLAPPER: Yes.AndI--again,Ithinkit'dbebesttogetintothedetailsofthatinaclassifiedsetting.

BURR: Andwewilldothat.

Gotacoupleminutesleftandatovote.Soactuallywewillreconveneinthecommitteeroomat closedsessionatthecompletionofthatvote.

Thisopenhearingisadjourned.

CQTranscriptions,Jan.10,2017 List ofPanel Members and Witnesses PANELMEMBERS: SEN.RICHARDM.BURR,R-N.C.,CHAIRMAN

SEN.JIMRISCH,R-IDAHO

SEN.MARCORUBIO,R-FLA.

SEN.SUSAN COLLINS,R-MAIN E

SEN.ROYBLUN T,R-MO.

SEN.TOMCOTTON,R-ARK.

SEN.JAMESLANKFORD,R-OKLA.

SEN.MITCHMCCO N NELL,R-KY.,EXOFFICIO

SEN.JOHNMCCAIN,R-ARIZ.,EXOFFICIO

SEN.DIA NNEFEINSTEIN,D-CALIF.,VICECHAIRMAN

SEN.RONWYDEN,D-ORE.

SEN.MARKWARN ER,D-VA.

SEN.MARTINHEINRICH,D-N.M.

SEN.MAZIEK.HIRONO,D-HAWAII

SEN.CHARLESE.SCHUMER,D-N EV.,EXOFFICIO

SEN.JACKREED,D-R.I.,EXOFFICIO

SEN.ANGUSKING,I-MAINE

WITNESSES: DIRECTOROFNATION ALIN TELLIGEN CEJAMESCLAPPER

CENTRALIN TELLIGEN CEAGEN CYDIRECTORJOHN BRE N NAN

NATIONALSECURITYAGEN CYDIRECTORADM.MICHAELROGERS

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 ANDFBIDIRECTORJAMESCOMEY

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5580-000001 Burton, Faith (OLA)

From: Burton, Faith (OLA} Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 2:59 PM To: Schools, Scott (ODAG) Subje ct: Sessions Responses to QFR Attachments: Sessions Responses to QFR Submitted 01172017.pdf

Scott, per our conversation, here are the QFR responsesthat are available so far. We understand that Leahy may have submitted more QFRs yesterday and we don't have any additional info about them.

As I may have mentioned, we've asked one of our attorneys to review the hearing transcript and organize the Senator's responses by topic so that it will be readily usable down the road.

Please let us know if you need anything further on this or anything else. Thanks. Faith

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6688 NominationofJeffSessionstobeAttorneyGeneraloftheUnitedStates QuestionsfortheRecord SubmittedJanuary17,2017

QUESTIONSFROMSE NATORFE INSTE IN

1. NewreportshaveindicatedthatPresident-ElectTrump s ’s chosenNationalSecurityAdvisor, RetiredArmyGen.MichaelFlynn,engagedinmultiplecommunicationsw iththeRussian Ambassador SergeyKislyak, onthesamedaythatPresidentObamaannouncedsanctions againstRussia.

a. Have you communicated with President-Elect Trump about these communications to the Russian Ambassador? Have you spoken with anyone else on the transition team (including General Flynn) or President-Elect Trump’sstaff ? If so, please specify who you communicated with, and when.

RESPONSE : No.

b. If confirmed, you will be interacting frequently with General Flynn in his capacity as National Security Advisor. Will you recuse yourself from any FBI or Justice DepartmentinvestigationintowhetherFlynn’scommunicationswerepermissible under the law, including the Logan Act? If not, why not?

RESPONSE: Iamnotaw are ofabasistorecusemyselffromsuchmatters. Ifaspecific matter arosew here Ibelievedmyimpartialitymightreasonablybequestioned,I w ouldconsultwith Departmentethicsofficialsregardingthemostappropriatew ay toproceed. AsImadeclearat myconfirmationhearing,I w illalw aysbefairand work w ithinthelaw and theestablished proceduresoftheDepartment.

2. Atyourhearing,SenatorCoonsaskedw hetheryou wouldsupportlegislation tostrengthen andupholdsanctionsagainstRussiaforthecyber-attackitorganizedthatwdesigned as to influencethe Americanelections. Yourespondedthat“Thatis somethingthatis appropriate forCongressandtheChiefExecutiveto consider. Inother w ords,how doyourespondto whatisbelievedtobeacyberattackfromamajornation? Itisdifficultjusttosay,w ell, w e aregoingtoprosecutetheheadoftheKGBorsomegroupthathasparticipatedinit no longeraKGB,ofcourse. Soinmany w ays,thepoliticalresponse,theinternationalforeign policyresponse, maybthe e onlyrecourse.”

Infact,thefederalcriminalcodecontainsnumerouscriminalstatuteslevyingserious penaltiesthatmightbeavailableinacaseinvolvingallegationsofinternationalhacking. In addition,theDepartmentofJusticehasusedthesetoprosecuteindividualsinthepast. In addition,theDepartmentmayberequiredtodecidew hether to bringcriminalchargesagainst anypersonw hocommittedthesehacks,aidedandabettedthesehacks, orconspiredto committhesehacks.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6688-000001 a. The Department has charged similar cases against state-sponsored individuals associated with the Iranian government, as well as members of the Chinese military. Will you commit that the Department will take any and all steps necessary to enforce federal statutes that were violated, and not just rely on political diplomacy?

RESPONSE : Ifconfirmed,I w illexamine,and w hereappropriate,enforce,thefederal statutes referredtoabove.

b. Have you reviewed either the classified or unclassified assessments by the Intelligence Community regarding Russian activities and intentions in recent U.S. elections?

RESPONSE : No.

c. DoyouagreewiththeIntelligenceCommunity’sassessments? Ifnot, please specify those assessments with which you disagree.

RESPONSE: Ihavenot review edtheirassessments,butIassumeI w ouldhavenoreasonto disagreew iththeir assessments.

d. Given the extent of your involvement inElectTrump’spoliticalc President- ampaign, will you recuse yourself from any decision regarding whether to bring federal criminal prosecutions in connection with Russian hacking of the election? If not, why not?

e. Please identify all persons with whom you have spoken who share your view that the UresponsetoRussianhackingshouldbelimitedto“thepoliticalresponse,the.S. international foreign policy response.”

RESPONSE: Myviewis notthatthe response“shouldb elimited”to a politicalorinternational foreignpolicyresponse. WhenItestifiedbeforetheCommittee,Iwmerelysuggestingthatin as somecases,sucharesponsemaybetheonlyrecourse. Asyoupointout,federalcriminal statutesmaybeapplicable. However, Iam notprivy tothefacts ordetailsofanyongoing investigationsandmyknow ledgeofthesubjectislimited to whatiscontainedinpublic reporting,soIdonot knowhattheappropriateresponseshouldbeinthisparticular w case. Non-Responsive Record

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6688-000001 NominationofJeffSessionstobeAttorneyGeneraloftheUnitedStates QuestionsfortheRecord SubmittedJanuary17,2017

QUESTIONSFROMSE NATORLE AHY Non-Responsive Record

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6688-000001 Non-Responsive Record

22. The intelligence community has concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 election in an effort to help elect Donald Trump. The report is available at https://ww .dni.gov/files/ w documents/ICA 2017 01.pdf. Russian interference in our elections is larger than any candidate or political party. This is about protecting our democracy.

a. Do you accept the conclusion of the intelligence community that Russia was responsible for the hack of the DNC and Hillary Clinton’s campaign chair?

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6688-000001 RESPONSE: Ihavenot review edthereport,butIhavenoreasonnotto acceptthe intelligencecommunity’sconclusion(s)asco ntainedinthereport.

b. DoyouaccepttheconclusionoftheintelligencecommunitythatRussiaprovidedto Wikileakstheinformationthatitstole?

RESPONSE : Ihavenotreview edthereport,butIhave noreasonnottoacceptthe intelligencecommunity’s conclusion(s)ascontainedinthereport.

c. DoyouaccepttheconclusionoftheintelligencecommunitythatRussiaengagedin theseactivitiesinordertointerferewiththeelectioninDonald Trump’s favor?

RESPONSE: Ihavenot review edthereport,butIhavenoreasonnotto acceptthe intelligencecommunity’sconclusion(s)ascontainedinthereport.

d. Doyouconsiderthistobeillegalbehavior,andathreattoourdemocraticprocess?

RESPONSE : Ihavenot review edthematterinanydetail;therefore,Iamnotinapositionto opineonit.

e. SeveralofthePresident- Elect’s nomineesorsenioradvisershaveRussianties. Have ---youbeenincontactwithanyoneconnectedtoanypartoftheRussiangovernment about the2016election,eitherbeforeorafterelectionday?

RESPONSE : No.

f. AttorneyGeneralLynchhasconfirmedthatcareerofficialsareinvestigating Russian interferenceinthe2016elections. Ifconfirmed,willyoucommitto allowingthis investigationtomoveforward? WhatwillyoudoiftheWhiteHouse directsyoutoendthe investigation?

RESPONSE: Iam unaw areofanyinvestigationsbeyondw hatiscontainedinpublic reporting. Assuch,Iamunabletocommentonthestatusofanysuchinvestigationsexcept tosaythatIbelieveallinvestigationsbytheDepartmentofJusticemustbeinitiatedand conductedinafair,professional,andimpartialmanner, w ithoutregardtopoliticsoroutside influence. TheDepartmentmust follow thefacts w herevertheylead,andmakedecisions regardinganypotentialchargesbaseduponthefactsandthelawandconsistent , with establishedproceduresoftheDepartment. Thatisw hatIalw aysdidasa UnitedStates Attorney,anditisw hatI w illinsistuponifI amconfirmedasAttorneyGeneral. Non-Responsive Record

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6688-000001 NominationofJeffSessionstobeAttorneyGeneraloftheUnitedStates QuestionsfortheRecord SubmittedJanuary17,2017

QUESTIONSFROMSE NATORBLUME NTHAL Non-Responsive Record

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6688-000001 Non-Responsive Record

6. America’s intelligenceagenciesagreethatRussiaattemptedtodisruptthe2016 presidentialelectioninamannerthatviolatesU.S.lawagainsthacking.Duringbothof s thelastDemocraticadministrations,youdemandedthattheAttorneyGeneralrecuse herselfratherthanparticipateinan investigation withpotentialpoliticalramifications. Duringyournominationhearing,how ever, you would not commit to recusingyourself fromaninvestigationofallegedRussianhacking.

a. WillyoucommittorecusingyourselffromanycaseregardingtheTrump campaign – and,specifically,theinvestigationofRussianinterferencewith theelection?Ifnot,whynot?

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6688-000001 fair,professional,andimpartialmanner, w ithoutregardtopoliticsoroutsideinfluence. The Departmentmust follow thefacts w herevertheylead,andmakedecisionsregardingany potentialchargesbaseduponthefactsandthelawandconsistent , withestablishedprocedures oftheDepartment. Thatisw hatIalw aysdid as UnitedStatesAttorney,anditisa w hatI w ill insistuponifIamfortunateenoughtobeconfirmedasAttorneyGeneral.

Iamnotaw are ofabasistorecuse myselffromsuchinvestigations. However,ifaspecific matterarose w hereIbelievedmyimpartialitymightreasonablybequestioned,I w ouldconsult withDepartmentethicsofficialsregardingthe most appropriate wto ay proceed. Imade As clearat myconfirmationhearing,I w illalw aysbefairand work w ithinthelawandthe establishedproceduresoftheDepartment. Non-Responsive Record

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6688-000001 Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG)

From: Gauhar, Tashina (OOAG) Sent : Friday, February 10, 2017 2:43 PM To: Evans, Stuart (NSO) Subject: FW: CNN story on Russian dossier

----Original Message From: Carr, Peter (OPA) Sent: Friday, February 10, 2017 2:14 PM To: Tucker, Rachael (OAG) ; Rybicki, David (OAG) ; Gauhar, Tashina (ODAG) ; Raimondi, Marc (OPA) ; McCord, Mary (NSD) Cc: Crowell, James (ODAG) ; Terwilliger, Zachary (ODAG) ; Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Subject: CNN story on Russian dossier

Evan Perez called to say they are posting a story as early as this afternoon with new information on the Russian dossier that the intelligence community included in a briefing on Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The story will say that the intelligence agencies and FBI have confirmed that some of the foreign to foreign communications mentioned between two Russians have been confirmed. They have not confirmed the actual content of the calls, but they have reviewed surveillance intelligence and determined that the two individuals did speak to each other on the dates and times indicated in the dossier.

As of now we've (b)(5)

Thx, Peter

Document ID: 0.7.24125.5693 Barnett, Gary (ODAG)

From: Barnett, Gary (ODAG) Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2017 3:36 PM To: Crowell, James {ODAG); Terwilliger, Zachary (ODAG) Subject: FW: House Judiciary Dems letter seeking info on WH contacts by 3/ 24 Attachments: Dems letter to Boente.pdf lmportanee: High

FYI

From: Burton, Faith (OLA) Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 20171:42 PM To: Ramer, Sam (OLA) ; Barnett, Gary (ODAG) ; Gauhar, Tashina {ODAG) ; Weinsheimer, Bradley (NSD) Subject: House Judiciary Dems letter seeking info on WH contacts by 3/ 24 Importance: High

From: McElvein, Elizabeth (b ) (6) Sent: Mon; March 06, 2017 4:59 PM To:[O)JmaflUil!J. (FBI ) (b) (6), (b) (7)(C) Subject: House Judiciary Dems letter

Attached, please find the follow letter from the House Judiciary Committee Democrtas.

Elizabeth H. McElvein Prof essional Staff Committee on the Judiciary House o[-esentatives 202-226- • •

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6877 BOB GOOOlAm,Virgin!• JOHN CONYERS. JR., Mic~gan CHAIRMAN RANKING MINORITV MEMBER 1t.~. f!,ouse of 3L\epresentatibes qtommittcc on tbc 3fubtdarp ®llasbington, lQQ!: 20515-u.216 enc ~unllrell jfiftecntb QCongrciis

The Honorable Dana J. Boente Acting Deputy Attorney General U.S. Department ofJustice 950 Pennsylvania A venue, NW Washington, DC 20530

March 6, 2017

Dear Acting Deputy Attorney General Boente:

We write to express our concern regarding a disturbing series ofevents this weekend concerning the ongoing review by the Department ofJustice ofefforts by the Russian government to unlawfully influence the U.S. presidential election in favor ofMr. Trump. These events include unsubstantiated claims by President Trump concerning surveillance by the prior Administration and related reports of improper contacts between the office of Donald F. McGahn, the White House Counsel, and the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation, concerning the FBI's ongoing review.

Early Saturday morning, President Trump took to Twitter to claim that "President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to [the] Election!" He went on to ask: "How low has President Obama gone to tapp [sic] my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!"

No substantiation was offered for this accusation. Many believe it is based on charges raised by conservative radio host Mark Levin on Thursday evening, which were repeated in tum by Breitbart on Friday. 1 According to the New York Times:

[A] senior White House official said that Donald F. McGahn II, the president's chief counsel, was working on Saturday to secure access to what Mr. McGahn believed was an order issued by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court authorizing some form ofsurveillance related to Mr. Trump and his associates.

The official offered no evidence to support the notion that such an order exists.2

1 Joel B. Pollack, Mark Levin to Congress: Investigate Obama 's "Silent Coup" Vs. Trump, Breitbart, Mar. 3, 2017.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6877-000001 Letter to Acting Deputy Attorney General Bocntc March 6, 2017 Page2

In our experience, it is highly unusual for the White House to seek access to a government application to the Foreign Intel1igence Surveillance Court. In almost any circumstance, it would be inappropriate to ask for that information ifthe President and his associates are related to the underlying investigation.

Perhaps more troubling, t)lis reported contact between the office ofWhite House Counsel and law enforcement officials comes on top ofseveral other reports ofsimilar contacts between the White House and both the Department ofJustice and the FBI. For example, according to CNN, White House ChiefofStaffReince Priebus asked FBI Director James Corney and FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe to "publicly knock down media reports about communications between Donald Trump's associates and Russians known to US intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign.''3 Director Corney refused to do so-but reportedly agreed to let Mr. Priebus cite "senior intelligence officials" as part ofhis pushback, which Mr. Preibus did on national TV that weekend.

If these reports are accurate, then these communications are both inappropriate and in violation ofDepartment ofJustice guidance. Since the Carter Administration, the Department has had guidelines in place to limit communications between the White House and career investigators and prosecutors, "to insure, to the extent possible, that improper considerations will not enter into our legal judgments."4 The standing policy, issued in 2009, states: ''The Justice Department will advise the White House concerning any pending or contemplated criminal or civil investigations on cases when, but only when, it is important for the performance ofthe President's duties and appropriate from a law enforcement perspective." The sitting Attorney General is, of course, free to revise or replace this guidance-but Attorney General Sessions has not done so.

The independence ofthe Department ofJustice' and the FBI is a particular concern when individuals associated with both the Administration and the President's campaign may be the targets ofthe investigation. As former DOJ Inspector General Michael Bromwich stated, "it's quite inappropriate for anyone from the White House to have contact with the FBI about a , pending criminal investigation, that has been an established rule down the road, probably since Watergate." 6

Accordingly, we request that you provide us with a description of any and all contacts or other communications (including phone contacts, emails, texts, voicemails, notes or other forms ofcontact, whether written, oral, or otherwise) between anyone employed by or associated with

2 Michael D. Shear and Michael S. Schmidt, Trump Offering No Evidence, Says Obama Tapped His Phones, N.Y. TlMES, Mar. 4, 2017. 3 Jim Sciutto et al., FBI refused White House request to knock down recent Trump-Russia stories, CNN, Feb. 24, 2017. 4 Remarks by the Hon. Griffin 8. Bell, Attorney General ofthe United States, U.S. Dept. ofJustice, Sept. 6, 1978. 5 Memorandum from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Communications with the White House and Congress, U.S. Dept. ofJustice, May 1 I, 2009. 6 Adam Serwer, When Does Contact between the FBI and the White House Cross the Line, ATLANTIC, Feb. 24, 2017.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6877-000001 Letter to Acting Deputy Attorney General Boente March 6, 20l 7 Page 3

the White House and any official or representative ofthe FBI or the Department of Justice, relating to any investigation into Russian interference in the recent presidential election and any related matter. Please provide this information to us no later than March 24, 2017. In addition, it has been reported that, subsequent to the Tweets by the President this weekend, Director Corney asked the Department ofJustice to issue a statement refuting the President's assertion because the Director knows that "the highly charged claim is false and must be corrected."7 However, the Department has not done so as ofthis writing. We believe it is imperative that the Department issue a statement publicly addressing the accuracy of the President's assertion because ofthe seriousness ofthe claim that the Department was used as a political weapon during an election campaign. Of course, ifDonald Trump or his associates were the subject oflawful electronic surveillance due to suspicions that they were acting as agents ofa foreign power or otherwise acting unlawfully, Congress should be advised ofthat in an appropriate setting.

The honest, responsible professionals ofthe Department ofJustice work to protect our Nation from a variety ofthreats ofevery day. We recognize their dedication, and it is unfortunate that they must now deal with these difficult circumstances generated by their own President. However, the charges made by the President and related contacts between the White House and the Department and the FBI are serious matters that should not be met with silence by the Department, lest there be the appearance.that the Department is acquiescing to pressure and otherwise not doing the job the American people expect.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

7 Michael S. Schmidt and Michael D. Shear, Comey Asks Justice Dept. to Reject Trump's Wiretapping Claim , The New York Times, Mar. 5, 2017.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6877-000001 Letter to Acting Deputy Attorney General Boente March 6, 2017 Page4

(Zb Y. ~

~j;;t 1.J. j»::.

cc: James Corney, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Bob Goodlatte, Chairman, House Judiciary Commtitee

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6877-000001 Sheehan, Matthew (ODAG)

From: Sheehan, Matthew (ODAG) Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2017 4:14 PM To: Lan, Iris (ODAG) Subject: FW: Nomination hearing - rough transcript and clips Attachments: 2017.03.07 DAG & ASG Clips.docx; 2017 03 07 DAG Hearing.docx

FYSA

From: Carr, Peter (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2017 4:09 PM To: Terwilliger, Zachary (ODAG) <[email protected]>; Raman, Sujit (ODAG) (JMD} ; Bressack, Leah {ODAG} ; Gauhar, Ta shina (ODAG) ; Mi2elle, Chad (ODAG) ; Barnett, Gary (ODAG} ; Sheehan, Matthew (ODAG) ; Tyson, Jill C. {OLA) ; Ramer, Sam {OLA) Cc: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Nomination hearing - rough transcript and clips

Attached is a rough transcriptoftoday's hearing, along with early clips from news stories.

Best, Peter

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267 Reuters: Pick for No. 2 at U.S. Justice cool to Russia probe special counsel (Joel Schectman) http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump- rosenstein idUSKBN16E18V-

The prosecutor tapped to fill the No. 2 position at the U.S. Justice Department declined on Tuesday to commit to appointing a special counsel to oversee an investigation into Russian 6 meddling in the 201 presidential election.

If confirmed, Rod Rosenstein, nominated by Republican President Donald Trump to be deputy attorney general, would take control of the Russia investigation because Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself from the case.

At his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Democrats pushed for Rosenstein to commit to assigning a special prosecutor to investigate, saying only a special counsel free from administration pressure could ensure acceptable results.

Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein asked Rosenstein, "Do you support an independent, outside counsel?"

Rosenstein said since he was not yet in the role, he had not seen the evidence and had no basis to decide whether a independent counsel would be appropriate.

But he did signal skepticism toward the idea. Rosenstein noted that former Attorney General Loretta Lynch had not appointed aspecial prosecutor when the allegations first came to light, instead relying on career prosecutors to handle the case. "She had the information and Idon't and she rejected the request," Rosenstein said.

Republicans argued that it was too soon to know whether a special counsel was appropriate in the Russia case, which involves allegations that members of the Trump campaign had contacts with Russian officials during the run-up to 6the election. 201

Sessions said last week he will stay out of any "matters that deal with the Trump campaign." He recused himself after admitting he met twice with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak during the presidential campaign, despite previously testifying to the Senate that he had no contact with Russian officials.

Sessions said the deputy attorney general would be responsible for the Russia-related investigations.

U.S. intelligence agencies concluded last year that Russia hacked and leaked Democratic emails during the election campaign as part of an effort to tilt the vote in Trump's favor. The Kremlin has denied the allegations.

Rosenstein has experience working for a special counsel on investigations involving the presidency. In the mid-1990s he was part of independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr's team of prosecutors who investigated Bill and Hillary Clinton.

The 26-year Justice Department veteran is seen by many current and former department officials as a politically neutral pick. "Political affiliations are irrelevant to my work," Rosenstein said during his testimony Tuesday.

NamedasMaryland’stopprosecutorbyPresidentGeorgeW. Bush, Rosensteinstayedinofficethrough the Obama administration.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 "Mr. Rosenstein should commit to naming a special prosecutortolookintotheTrumpcampaign’s ties to Russia," said Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer in a statement.

###

WashingtonPost: GrilledonRussiaprobe,deputyattorneygeneralpicksidestepsDemocrats’ calls for special prosecutor (Matt Zapotosky, Sari Horwitz and Sean Sullivan) https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/senate-begins- confirmation-hearing for- - nominee-be-to-deputy- attorney- general/2017/03/07/4bd4ae02-11e702b2-ad5b- - d22680e18d10 story.html?utm term=.ead448973022

Deputy attorney general nominee Rod J. Rosenstein refused to commit Tuesday to appoint a special counsel to oversee investigations of Russian meddling in the presidential — though election he stressed that he did not yet know the facts of the matter.

At his Senate Judiciary Committeeconfirmationhearing, Rosensteinsaidthathewas “notaware”ofany reason he would not be able to supervise — suchbut because probes he was not yet in the No. 2 role in the Department of Justice, he did not know the particular facts of any case.

Under questioning from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), he noted that Loretta E. Lynch, the attorney general at the end of the Obama administration, had resisted requests to appoint a special prosecutor. He said either she or acting deputy attorney general Dana Boente could have appointed — if it such a person were necessary.

“Iftherewereaneedforaspecialcounsel, [Boente] currentlyhas fullauthorityto appointone,” Rosensteinsaid. “Idon’tk now atthispointifAttorneyGeneralLynch or actingdepu ty attorney general Boentearerightorwrong, butIcertainlywouldn’tbeinapositiontooverrulethemwithouthaving accesstothefacts thatarethebasisfortheirdecisions.”

Although Rosenstein is a respected prosecutor who has served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee turned tense at times as legislators sparred over whether a special counsel should be appointed to handle probes of the Trump campaign and Russian meddling in the presidential election.

Last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that he was recusing himself from any campaign- related probes after The Washington Post reported that he had met with the Russian ambassador twice during that campaign and had not disclosed that fact at his own confirmation hearing. That would mean supervision of such probes would fall to Rosenstein, were he to be confirmed.

Perhaps the most heated exchange came after Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) lambasted Sessions for not disclosing his meetings with the Russian ambassador. It was Franken who asked Sessions at his own confirmation hearing in January what he would do if it was found that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign had communicated with the Russian government.

Sessionsresponded, “Ihavebeencalledasurrogateatimeortwointhatcampaign, andIdidn’thave — didnothavecommunicationswiththeRussians.”

Frankposedtheen same questiontoRosenstein, whoresponded, “Ifthereis predicationtobelievethat such communication was in violation of federal law, Senator, I would ensure an appropriate

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 investigation.”TheMinnesotaDemocratthencriticizedSessionsforhis responseandsuggestedthathis lettertothecommitteeMondayinsistingit“was correct”was inadequate.

[InupdatetoCongress, Sessionsinsistshewas‘correct’ tosayhehadnocommunicationwithRussians in campaign]

“HeansweredaquestionIdidn’taskandforhimto , putthisinhisletter as aresponseisinsulting, andhe should comeback andexplainhimself,”Franksaid. en

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) fired back that Franken had asked a “gotchaquestion,”eventuallypoundinghisgavelto cutFrankoff en .

“Itwasnota gotchaquestion, sir,”Franken exclaimed.

“Itwas, fromthestandpointthathedidn’tk now whatyou were askingabout,”Grassleysaid.

RosensteinsaidhewouldhandleaninvestigationintoRussianmeddling“thewayIwouldhandleany investigation.”Hesaidthatthroughouthiscaree r, he has spoken to lawyers and judges visiting from foreigncountriesatevents, andthat“it’s certainlypossibletheremayhavebeenRussianofficialsthere.” Buthesaidhedidnot“recallanysuchmeetings”withRussianofficials. Healsosaidhehas not talked with Sessions about Russian contacts, and he sought to assure legislators that he would act in the best interests of the United States.

“Idon’tk now thedetailsofwhat, ifany, investigationisongoing, butIcancertainlyassureyouifit’s America against Russia, or America against any other country, I think everyone in this room knows which sideI’mon,”hesaid.

The panel also pressed Rosenstein on some of the President Trump-generated news of the week. Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.)lledRosensteinaboutTrump’s gri weekendtweetaccusingthen -President BarackObamaofwiretappinghimbeforetheelection. Rosensteinresponded: “Idon’tthinkit’s appropriateformetosharemyreaction, Senator. Ithasnobearingonmywork .”

He later ded: ad “Ifthepresidentis exercisinghis FirstAmendmentrights, that’s notmyissue.”

In another tense exchange, Sen. RichardJ. Durbin (D-Ill.) pressed Rosenstein to read the intelligence community’s assessmentofRussianattempts toinfluencetheelect ion. Rosenstein said he had read media accounts.

“Irespectthefactthatyouhaven’treadthisreport. It’s15pages longandit’s ontheInternet. Andit’snot classified,”Durbinsaid.

Rosenstein also said he had not read the supplemental testimony Sessions submitted to the committee after he recused himself from any investigations of the Trump campaign. Durbin pressed him to read it and explain the extent of the recusal. Rosenstein pushed back.

“IfIweretoreadittoday, Iwouldonlyk now whatyou knew. Iwould not know the nature of the investigation,”heresponded.

Durbinappearedtogrowfrustrated. “I’mnotquestioningtheprocess. I’mjustask ingforclarity,”hesaid.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 Grassley opened the hearing by declaring that any talk oflwas“premature”andthat a special counse Rosenstein was well equipped to handle sensitive investigations.

“Therearetimes whenspecialcounselsareappropriate,”Grassleysaid. “Butit’sfartoosoontotellatthis time. And even if there were evidence of a crime related to any of these matters, once confirmed, Mr. Rosenstein can decide how to handle that matter. Iknow of no reason to question his judgment, his integrityorhisimpartiality.”

Grassley and others, including Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), repeatedly brought up Lynch, noting that shedidnotrecuseherselffromaninvestigationinto HillaryClinton’s emailpractices, evenafterreports about a tarmac meeting she held with Bill Clinton.

“MyDemocraticfriends havenothingtosayaboutthat,”Hatchsaid. Headded: indofdouble“This k standardmakesitlooke likpartisanpolitics.”

Although Lynch stopped short of recusing herself, she did agree to accept recommendations in the Clinton probe from the career prosecutors and FBI agents leading that investigation.

Feinstein, thecommittee’srank ingDemocrat, saidthata fullyindependentinvestigation onRussiawas neededtoavoid“eventheappearanceofaconflictofinterest.”

“Tobeclear, IdonotsaythisbecauseIquestiontheintegrityortheabilityofMr. Rosenstein,”Feinstein said. “Ido not.”

Shelaterwarned: “Thereisarealdanger, Ibelieve, thattheJusticeDepartmentcouldbecome politicized.”

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who introduced Rosenstein, noted that he had called for a special counsel. He added that he had conveyed to Rosenstein that if FBIDirector James B. Comey had asked the JusticeDepartmenttoissueastatementrebuttingTrump’s claimthatObamahadorderedawiretapofhim beforetheelection, “thentheJusticeDepartmenthasa dutytoletthepublick now thetruth.”

Under later questioning from Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Rosenstein declined to address those particularevents, thoughhesaidhewould“certainlyconsider”theFBIdirector’sviews inwhetherto issue a public statement.

Rosenstein is the sole holdover U.S. attorney from the George W. Bush administration. The longest- serving U.S. attorney, Rosenstein has worked on sensitive cases in the face of political pressure, according to attorneys he has worked with during his nearly three decades in the department.

A bipartisan group of 127 former U.S. attorneys, who were appointed by and served under various presidential administrations, sent a letter Monday to the Senate Judiciary Committee supporting Rosenstein’sconfirmation.

Rosenstein, 52, a Philadelphia native, began working as a trial attorney in the public integrity section of PresidentGeorgeH.W. Bush’sJusticeDepartmentin1990aftergraduatingfromHarvardLawSchool and clerking for Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Soonafterward, PresidentBillClinton’s deputyattorneygeneralhiredRosensteintobehis counsel.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 During the Clinton administration, Kenneth W. Starr tapped Rosenstein to be his associate independent counsel on the investigation into the business dealings of the Clintons and their associates in the Whitewater Development Corp. Rosenstein stayed on into the George W. Bush administration, and in 2005, Bush appointed him U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland, where he remained through the Obama administration.

As the Baltimore U.S. attorney, Rosenstein had many high-profile cases, including the successful prosecution of then-Prince George’s County Executive JackB. Johnson, who was sentenced to seven years in prison 1in 20 1for corruption.

Rosenstein was also tapped by then-Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to oversee an investigation into the leaking of classified national security information, which led the former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs ofStaff, Gen. James E. “Hoss” Cartwright, to plead guilty to one felony count oflying to the FBI. Just last week, Rosenstein announced indictments against seven Baltimore police officers in a racketeering conspiracy.

Senators also considered the nomination of Rachel Brand on Tuesday to serve as associate attorney general, the third-highest position in the Justice Department.

# # #

Washington Post: This man could soon be handling America’s most politically charged investigation (Paul Kane) https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/this-man-could- soon- handling- be- americas most - - politically-charged- investigation/2017/03/07/ba7841d0-0342 11e7-ad5b-d22680e18d10- story.html

Rod J. Rosenstein is, by most accounts, about as good a nominee for deputy attorney general as Democrats could hope for.

And if the Trump administration gets its way, he could soon be the man handling the most politically charged investigation in the nation.

The U.S. attorney for Maryland has sterling bipartisan credentials stretching back to the Clinton administration. The longest-serving U.S. attorney, Rosenstein was unanimously confirmed to his post, based in Baltimore, in 2005 after being nominated by then-President George W. Bush and winning support from the state’s two Democratic senators.

He kept the job in 2009 when the Obama administration arrived, and on Tuesday, after the new Republican administration nominated Rosenstein to the No. 2 post in the Justice Department, Sens. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) happily introduced him to the Judiciary Committee.

Yet Rosenstein might receive little Democratic support, and some have signaled that they intend to slow- walk his nomination and stretch out the confirmation process through the rest of the month because they want a special prosecutor to takchargee ofDOJ’s investigation ofRussia’s meddling in the 2016 election and Trump associates’ linktos the Kremlin.

That’s because, in recusing himselffrom any investigations ofPresident Trump’s 2016 campaign, Attorney General Jeff Sessions handed the case to whoever will be his No. 2 — meaning Rosenstein, if he is confirmed.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 The situation has left Democrats wrapped inside their own paradoxical box: The price of their support for a speedy confirmation is Rosenstein promising to appoint a special prosecutor.

“IfMr. Rosensteinisunwillingtocommitto namingaspecialprosecutor, orsaysthatheneedsto be confirmed and in his position before he can make—thatisinsufficient,”SenateMinority an assessment Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.)inafloorspeechTuesdaymorning. said “Theneedforaspecial prosecutoris clearenoughtodaytomakthatcall.” e

Justice Department nominee at center of partisan battle over Russia allegations

A little more than an hour after Sessions announced last week that he would recuse himself from any Trump-related cases, Sen. Richard J. BlumenthalConn.) (D- saidhewoulduse“everypossibletoolto blockRosenstein’sconfirmationuntilthenomineecommittedtonaming” aspecialprosecutor.

But that is the sort of commitment that almost no nominee, to a Justice Department position or to be a federal judge, would ever make. That sort of answer would seem to prejudge a case before someone has reviewed the investigative material. It is typically considered a big no-no for judges and other executive branch nominees to key positions to tip their hands in confirmation hearings, leading to decades of answers by nominees with well-rehearsed lines about upholding the law without taking a formal stand.

That’sexactlywhat Rosenstein didTuesday, deflectingquestions about his view of the case by promising to follow the advice of Justice Department experts.

“Iwouldevaluatethefactsandthelaw[and] considertheapplicablelaw,”hetoldSenateJudiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa).

Hepromisedtouse “mybestjudgment”inhandlingtheRussiainvestigationandvowedtotakthe“right e courseofaction.”Henotedthathehas notbeenallowedtoreviewthecasebecausehehas notbeen confirmed.

The standoff over Rosenstein sets up a scenario in which Democrats will continue to demand the appointment of a special prosecutor in a Trump-related Russia inquiry. Yet they will be holding up the confirmation of the one person who might actually make such an appointment.

Republicans are in what may be an even stranger position. They have almost uniformly rejected calls for a special prosecutor, saying that an investigation can be dealt with in the normal ranks of the Justice Department and in the congressional intelligence committees.

GrassleybeganthehearingbyhighlightingRosenstein’srecordhandlingsensitivecases, includingaleak investigation in the Obama administration, and reminded Democrats of how a special prosecutor was not called to direct nvestigationofHillaryClinton’streatmentofclassifiedinformationwhensheserved the i as a secretary of state.

YetincallingforRosenstein’s speedyconfirmation, GrassleyandRepublicans maybedemandingthe appointment of an official who might disagree with them and decide to set up a more robust, independent investigation of alleged Russian the ties Trump to 6201 campaign.

That’stheviewofsomeonewhohas watchedRosensteinup close.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 Cardin, a former member of the Judiciary Committee, recommended in 2009 that then-President Obama retainRosensteinas thestate’stopfederalprosecutor, tellingthepanelTuesdaythatabroadcross -section ofMaryland’slegalcommunitysupportedhim.

“Thiswas awelcomednominationbyPresidentTrump,”Cardintoldthepanel, recountingthe“totally nonpartisanprofessionalmanner” Rosensteinadoptedinhis investigations.

Like his fellow Democrats, Cardin thinks a special prosecutor is needed in the Russia case. Unlike many Democrats, he is willing to support Rosenstein without a guarantee of such a move.

“IthinkMr. Rosensteinistherightpersonattherighttime,”Cardintoldhis colleagues, predictingthat thenominee’s recordwouldleadhimtomakthedecisionthatDemocratswant. e “Iamconfidentofhis judgmentontheseissues.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, agreed that Rosenstein is “well -qualified”butshehighlightedtheconflicts withintheJusticeDepartmentintheearlydaysof Trump’spresidency. After the first travel ban was issued preventing visits from seven Muslim-majority nations, the acting attorney general, Sally Yates, refused to defend the executive order and was fired by Trump.

“Thisisabouttheintegrityoftheprocess,”Feinsteinsaid, notingthatshefearedTrump’sWestWing wouldexertinfluenceovertheinvestigation. “Thereisarealdanger, Ibelieve, thattheJustice Departmentcouldbecomepoliticized.”

Blumenthal and other Democrats pointed to the 1973 confirmation of Elliot Richardson as attorney general, during which he vowed to appoint a special prosecutor to oversee the Watergate investigations. They want a similar pledge from —Rosenstein and are prepared to delay his confirmation as long as they can.

“Thissituationis extraordinary,”Blumenthalsaid, “andheisaprofessionalcareer prosecutorwhok nows that there is a need — who should know, should — know there is a need for independence and protection frompoliticalinfluencehere.”

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New York Times: Democrats Seek Special Counsel to Investigate Russian Election Interference (Charlie Savage and Eric Lichtblau) https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/07/us/politics/democrats-special-counsel-russia - election.html? r=0

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee called on Tuesday for the appointment of a special counsel to lead the criminal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, saying the appointment was necessary to shield the inquiry from the appearance of political interference by the Trump administration.

“Thisisaboutmorethanjustoneindividual,”saidSenatorDianneFeinsteinofCalifornia, thepanel’s ranking Democrat. “Thisisabouttheintegrityoftheprocessandthepublic’sfaithinourinstitutionof justice.”

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 But the Republican chairman of the panel, Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, said he saw no need for the appointment of a special counsel ltookupas the theconfirmationofMr. pane Trump’s nomineetobe deputy attorney general, Rod J. Rosenstein.

“Therearetimes whenspecialcounselsareappropriate,”Mr. Grassleysaid. “Butit’sfartoosoontotell here. And even if there were evidence of a crime related to any of these matters, once confirmed, Mr. Rosenstein can decide how to handle it. I know of no reason to question his judgment, integrity or impartiality.”

Because Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from overseeing any criminal investigation into 2016 campaign matters, Mr. Rosenstein would be in charge of that case if he is confirmed.

The circumstances that led Mr. Sessions to — thestep revelation aside that he had spoken twice to the Russian ambassador last year, despite telling Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, at his own confirmation hearing in January that he had had no contact— led with to Russians a heated moment.

Mr. Franken read from a letter Mr. Sessions sent to the committee on Monday that insisted his answer had beentruebecauseheunderstoodMr. Franken’squestionto beaboutRussiancontactsinhisroleas a surrogate for the Trump campaign, not his role as a senator, and said he had not previously seen a need to correct or supplement that answer becauseonehad“suggestedotherwise.” no

Rod J. Rosenstein, left, the nominee for deputy attorney general, testified on Tuesday during his confirmation hearing. Rachel Brand, right, is the nominee for associate attorney general, the third in command at the Justice Department. Credit Gabriella Demczuk for The New York Times Mr. Frankencalledthat“insulting”anddemandedthatMr. Sessions becalledbackbeforethepanel. Mr. Grassley, raisinghis voice, accusedMr. Frankenofhavingask edMr. Sessions “gotchaquestion,”and a the two briefly shouted over each other.

In rejecting Democratic calls for a special counsel, Mr. Grassley noted — thatthe Mr. United Rosenstein States attorney for the district of — Marylandwas a longtime prosecutor who served under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

Ms. Feinstein, however, saidhercallwas notrelatedtoMr. Rosenstein’s integrity, butthe needtoavoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. She also said that the prosecutor should be a nonpartisan person whoisappointed“independently”ratherthanbytheattorneygeneral.

However, the law that permitted the appointment of an independent counsel by a three-judge panel, rather than by the attorney general, has expired. Under Justice Department regulations for special counsels, Mr. Rosenstein, if confirmed, would essentially be the attorney general for the purpose of the Russia case sinceMr. Sessionsrecusedhimself. ItwouldbeMr. Rosenstein’s decisionto appointaspecialcounsel, who would answer to him.

The exchange came at a Judiciary Committee hearing on whether to confirm Mr. Rosenstein, as well as Rachel Brand, whom Mr. Trump has nominated to be the associate attorney general, the Justice Department’sthird -ranking official.

Throughout the morning, Mr. Rosenstein repeatedly parried questions about the investigation into Russian interference and whether he would appoint a special counsel to handle it, saying that he has not yet been briefedany on investigation the department may have into6 election. the 201

“Iamsimplynotinapositionto answerthequestionbecauseIdon’tk nowtheinformation,”hesaid.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 But Ms. Feinstein pointed to the decision in 2003 by James Comey, who was then the deputy attorney general and is now F.B.I. director, to bring in an outsider to investigate a leak of the C.I.A. operative ValeriePlame’sidentitythatmightbetiedtotheBushWhiteHouse. ThatcaseledtotheconvictionofI. Lewis Libby, a top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, for making false statements to the F.B.I. (Mr. Bush later granted him clemency.)

Ms. Feinstein said cases like the Plame leak showed the need for independent, outside eyes to examine allegations of wrongdoing that might lead back to the—as White she House said could happen in the currentcontroversyoverRussia’selectionmeddling.

She appeared to grow frustrated as Mr. Rosenstein explained the circumstances and legal issues that might influence his decision about whether to hold on to the investigation himself or bring in an outsider. “I’mtryingtofigureoutwhatyourbottomlineis,”shetoldhimatonepoint.

And when Mr. Rosenstein pleaded ignorance about any investigation, Democrats repeatedly pointed to an unclassified intelligence report that concluded that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia ordered an influenceoperationto harmHillaryClinton’selectabilityandpotentialpresidencyandtohelpMr. Trump.

Mr. Rosensteinsaidthatasaprosecutortheissueforhimwas “whatIcanproveincourt,”butthathehad “noreasontodoubt”whattheintelligenceagenciesconcluded. HealsoassuredSenatorPatrickJ. Leahy, DemocratofVermont, thathewouldnotbeonRussia’s side.

“Senator, Idon’tk now thedetails ofwhat, ifany, investigationisongoing, can butI assure certainly you ifit’sAmericaagainstRussiaorAmericaagainstanyothercountry, Ithinkeveryoneinthisroomk nows whichsideI’mon,”hesaid.

Mr. Rosenstein has served for nearly 12 years as the United States attorney—longer in than Maryland any other United States prosecutor. Despite the pressure from Democrats over his refusal to say whether he would appoint a special counsel, he remains likely to be approved by the Republican-led Senate as the deputy attorney general, which would make him the manager of day-to-day1 5,000 operations- at the 1 employee department.

The Russia controversy dominated the hearing, but Republicans and Democrats questioned Mr. Rosenstein and Ms. Brand on other civil and criminal policies.

Several Democrats said they were particularly concerned about a series of civil rights stances that Mr. Sessions has taken to roll back Obama-era policies on transgender protections, voting rights and other areas. Mr. Sessions was scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon with a group of civil rights leaders who planned to raise their concerns directly with him.

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WSJ: JusticeNomineeWon’tCommittoaRussiaS pecialProsecutor(ArunaViswanathaand Nicole Hong) https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-nominee-commit-a-wont- to-russia- special prosecutor- - 1488909977

PresidentDonaldTrump’s nomineeto bedeputyattorneygeneralonTuesdaywouldn’tcommitto appointing speciala prosecutor to investigate any Russian interference in6 presidentialthe 201 election, sayinghewasn’tinthejobyetanddidn’tknowallthefactsneededtomaka e decision.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 If confirmed, Rod Rosenstein, currently the U.S. attorney in Maryland, would decide the course of any Russian probe because Attorney General Jeff Sessions last week recused himself from an investigation into the matter. That move followed a disclosure that Mr. Sessions had had contact with a Russian official during the Trump presidential campaign.

At his confirmation hearing Tuesday, Mr. Rosenstein, whom Mr. Trump nominated in January, said he trusted career prosecutors and investigators to reach appropriate conclusions in the matter.

“It’s myjobto ensurethatallinvestigationsareconductedindependently,”saidMr. Rosenstein, a longtime federal prosecutor who has worked for and generated support from both parties. He said the agencyhas“devotedpublicservants whoconductindependentinvestigations 365daysayear.”

He also said part of his reluctance to commit to naming a special prosecutor was because it could hurt the nomination process for future deputy attorneys general who might be asked to make similar promises.

“Iviewitas anissueofprinciplethatasanomineefordeputyattorneygeneral, Ishouldnotbepromising totakaction e onaparticularcase,”hesaid.

Mr. Rosenstein said his only knowledge to date about any investigations into Russia has come from media reports. The current acting deputy attorney general, Dana Boente, who served as a U.S. attorney in Virginia during the Obama administration, could appoint a special prosecutor now if he thought it was appropriate, Mr. Rosenstein said.

Mr. Rosenstein has had no communication with the White House or with Mr. Sessions about whether he would appoint a special counsel, he testified.

Lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee used the hearing to argue about the need for a special prosecutor to investigate Russian interference and any potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. That dispute overshadowed the hearings for Mr. Rosenstein and for Rachel Brand, who would be the No. 3 official at the Justice Department.

“Ithinkthecasecanbe madeforanindependentspecialprosecutor,”saidSen. DianneFeinsteinof California, thecommittee’stopDemocrat. “Ido notsaythisbecauseIquestiontheintegrityofMr. Rosenstein. This isaboutmorethanjustoneindividual.”

Democrats argued that given the involvement of Messrs. Trump and Sessions, the case required a special prosecutor from outside the Justice Department. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) said Tuesday he couldn’tsupportMr. Rosenstein’sconfirmationifhedidn’tcommitt o naming one.

Republicans rejected that call, describing any talk of appointing a special counsel as premature.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa), who chairs the Judiciary Committee, said Mr. Rosenstein was a logical choice to run such an investigation.

“AnyinsinuationthatMr. Rosensteinlacktheimpartiality s orprofessionalismnecessarytohandlethese mattersisoutofline,” Mr. Grassleysaid, citingMr. Rosenstein’s workundertheadministrations of GeorgeW. BushandBarackObama. “Hisindependenceisbeyondreproach.”

In 2012, then-Attorney General Eric Holder tapped Mr. Rosenstein and anotherto U.S. attorney investigateleaksaboutasecretU.S. governmenthack ingprogramdirectedatIran’s nuclearprogram. As

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 a result of the investigation, retired four-star Gen. James Cartwright pleaded guilty to lying to investigators, though he was pardoned by Mr. Obama before sentencing.

In the mid-1990s, Mr. Rosenstein also served as associate independent counsel for the Clinton-era Whitewater investigation that lead to multiple prosecutions.

When asked whether a president has the authority to unilaterally order wiretaps, a reference to tweets by Mr. TrumpSaturdayclaiminghehadbeenwiretappedbyMr. Obama, Mr. Rosensteinresponded, “Idon’t know the tailsandI’mreluctantasalawyertocommentonthat. de Inacriminalinvestigation,theanswer wouldcertainlybeno.”

AskedaboutMr. Trump’swiretappingtweets, Mr. Rosensteindeclinedtoofferanopinion. “Ifthe president is exercising his Firstdmentrights, Amen that’snotmyissue,”hesaid.

Sen. Richard Durbin (D., Ill.) pressed Mr. Rosenstein on whether he would inform Americans if the Justice Department chose to close any investigation into Russian interference with the presidential election. Mr.Rosensteinsaidhewould“ifit’sappropriatetoreleaseit.”

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CNN: Democrats call for special counsel during hearing for be Sessions' deputy would- (Tom LoBianco) http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/07/politics/rod-rosenstein-confirmation-hearing/

Democrats aren't finished with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and they're using the Senate confirmation hearing for his potential second in command as an opportunity to grill him on the Trump campaign's potential ties to Russia and the President's baseless claim of being wiretapped by his predecessor.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee pressed Rod J. Rosenstein, President Donald Trump's nominee for deputy attorney general, almost exclusively on the Russia investigation and whether Sessions told the truth in his own confirmation hearing when he said he had not met with any Russian officials.

In one very terse exchange, Sen. Al Franken, a Minnesota Democrat, said he was doing everything he could to not accuse Sessions of lying in his testimony before the committee. Franken had asked Sessions during his confirmation hearings how he would handle any potential contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian officials and Sessions responded, "I did not have communications with the Russians."

Sessions did not say that he met twice with the Russian ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak, which angered Democrats last week. But Sessions poured fuel on the fire Monday afternoon when he submitted a follow-up letter arguing that he had answered Franken's question truthfully.

"I think Sen. Sessions should come back. Ithink he owes it to this committee to come back. And he should explain himself," Franken said Tuesday. At the end of his comments, in which Franken dubbed Sessions' response "insulting," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley accused Franken of stepping over the line.

Over the course of close to three hours Tuesday, Democrats pressed Rosenstein on whether he would recuse himself from any Russia investigations or appoint a special prosecutor.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 Tuesday's hearing drew more attention because of the swirl of questions about Russia's contacts with the Trump campaign and Trump's own allegation that former President Barack Obama had the "wires tapped" at Trump Tower.

Sen. Lindsey Graham asked Rosenstein if he knew why Trump was accusing the former president of monitoring his phones during the campaign --a claim for which the White House has not publicly presented any evidence --but Rosenstein said he was unaware of any facts on the issue. Obama, though a spokesman, has denied doing so, as has his former director of national intelligence, James Clapper.

"If the President is exercising his First Amendment rights, that's not my issue," Rosenstein said.

Sessions' recent decision to recuse himself from any potential investigations related to the Trump campaign or transition has done little to stop Democrats from calling for a special counsel.

Grassley, a Republican, opened the confirmation hearing for Rosenstein by saying, "Any talk of a special counsel is premature at best."

"I can't help but notice the selective calls for a special counsel," Grassley then said, noting that then- Attorney General Loretta Lynch oversaw Hillary Clinton's email investigation and met with former President Bill Clinton at a Phoenix airport last year, though she said at the time she'd accept the findings of the FBI. "Where were the calls from the Democratic leadership for a special counsel?"

If confirmed as Sessions' deputy, Rosenstein would oversee any potential investigations or prosecutions into Trump surrogates and Russians --including the key decision on whether to appoint a special prosecutor --now that Sessions has recused himself.

Rosenstein assured Grassley that he has not had any contact with Russian officials that he knows of and would have to review the facts of any Russia investigation before deciding whether to recuse himself.

"As far as I'm concerned, every investigation by the DOJ is an independent investigation," Rosenstein said.

Democrats on the panel are using the hearing as a referendum on the conduct of Trump, whether Sessions lied under oath and how best to proceed with an investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the presidential election.

"I continue to strongly believe the case can be made for an independent special investigation," Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, said in her opening statement, adding that although the nominee may be revered and well-liked, there are deeper problems with Russia and Sessions' involvement.

Rosenstein, a career prosecutor, currently serves as the US attorney for the District of Maryland. He won unanimous Senate confirmation to his current post in 2005 under President George W. Bush and stayed on as the top federal prosecutor in Baltimore under the Obama administration.

Rosenstein won broad bipartisan backing for his nomination to the Justice Department. His homestate senators, both Democrats, said they were supporting his nomination. (One of them, Sen. Ben Cardin, even called Rosenstein a "welcome nomination" from Trump.)

The committee will also hear from Trump's nominee for associate attorney general, Rachel Brand, who, if confirmed, will oversee the Civil Division, which defends the administration in the hotly contested lawsuits over the travel ban.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 This story is updating while news is in progress.

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USA Today: Dems press Justice nominee Rod Rosenstein to name Russia special prosecutor (Kevin Johnson) http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/07/dems-press-justice- nominee rod- - rosenstein-name-russia- special prosecutor/98844550/-

Senate Democrats repeatedly pressed a top Justice Department nominee Tuesday to commit to appointing a special prosecutor to oversee the ongoing federal inquiry into Russia's intervention in the U.S. election as a further bulwark against possible political interference in the months-long investigation.

If confirmed as deputy attorney general, Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein would assume management of the investigation following last week's decision by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to recuse himself. Sessions' abrupt disqualification came after reports of meetings with the Russian ambassador to the United States that he twice failed to disclose to the Senate Judiciary Committee during his January confirmation hearing.

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary panel, said recent disclosures about communications between Russian authorities and Trump associates require the appointment of a "respected prosecutor'' because the contacts demonstrate the "perception'' of a conflict of interest.

"Ido not say this because Iquestion the integrity or the ability of Mr. Rosenstein, I do not,'' Feinstein said. "But this about more than just one individual.''

Asked directly by Feinstein whether he would appoint an outside prosecutor, Rosenstein said he had not yet been briefed on the facts of the case and could not adequately respond.

"I'm not in a position to answer the question,'' Rosenstein said, adding later that he was "willing to appoint a special counsel whenever Ifeel it is appropriate.''

"I should not be promising to act on a particular case,'' the nominee told Sen. Richard Blumental, D-Conn.

Maryland Democrats backRosenstein

Maryland Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, who expressed strong support for Rosenstein's nomination, said they also would urge an outside investigation. Yet Van Hollen went further, saying that he also would encourage the Justice Department to reject Trump's recent assertions that the President Barack Obama had ordered wiretaps of Trump's New York offices in the months before the November election.

FBI Director James Comey last weekend called on Justice officials to issue such a rebuke, but Justice has not acted on that request.

Having not yet been briefed on the matter, Rosenstein said he could not directly address the concern. Pushed to explain whether a president alone could order the electronic surveillance of another American without an appropriate warrant, Rosenstein said: "I would hope that would not happen.''

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 Republicans refused to join Democrats in the call for an outside investigation, but moved to highlight the nominee's authority to manage the probe within the department.

Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa said requests for a special counsel or special commission were "premature at best.''

"Special counsel inquiries under the current department regulations are not the best way to ensure transparency and accountability,'' Grassley said. "There is no mandatory public report or other finding at the end of the investigation if no charges are filed. The investigations can just disappear without the public ever understanding what the facts were. So, the notion that somehow a special counsel will bring factstolightjustisn’ttrue.”

If such an investigation fell to the deputy attorney general because of Sessions' recusal, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked whether Rosenstein whether he was capable of leading such an effort, despite its potential political implications.

"Do you believe you can do that job?'' Graham asked.

"Absolutely,'' Rosenstein answered.

Rosenstein's nomination to the second-highest ranking post at the Justice Department has drawn intense scrutiny as an increasing number of top aides to Trump have acknowledged meeting with Russian envoy Sergey Kislyak in the months prior to Trump's election and inauguration, including Sessions. A central part of the ongoing FBIinvestigation is the review of communications between Trump associates and Russian government officials.

While nominations of Rosenstein and Rachel Brand, the Trump administration's candidate for associate attorney general, were being weighed Tuesday, Sessions' now-disputed testimony before the same committee in January also loomed large.

At one point, Sessions' disputed testimony became the subject of a bitter exchange between Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., and Grassley, when Franken demanded that Sessions return to the panel and clarify his statements.

"I think Sen. Sessions should come back,'' Franken said, breaking from his questioning of the witnesses. "I think he owes it to this committee to come back and explain himself.''

It was Franken who asked Sessions in January what he would do if he became aware that "anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign.''

"I'm not aware of any of those activities,'' Sessions responded at the time. "I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I — didn'tdid not have, have have communications with the Russians.''

It was disclosed last week that Sessions met with Kislyak in July at an event related to the Republican National Convention and in September in Sessions' Senate office.

Grassley on Tuesday calledFranken's Januaryinquiry a"gotcha question'' andgaveled Franken's inquiry to a close.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 On Monday, Sessions asserted that his confirmation testimony was "correct,'' saying that he did not disclose meetings with the Russian ambassador to the United States because he was not specifically asked about them.

Sessions stated in a letter to the committee that he always believed that he had answered the committee's questions "honestly'' about Trump surrogates' contacts with Russian officials.

"Idid not mention communications Ihad had with the Russian ambassador over the years because the question did not ask about them,'' Sessions said in a letter to the committee, explaining the disputed testimony.

###

AP/CBS News: Rod Rosenstein says he's "not in position" to make decision on special prosecutor yet http://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-meddling-likely-focus-rod- at-rosenstein-no doj-2 -- confirmation-hearing/

Longtime federal prosecutor Rod Rosenstein is facingquestions about a federal investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election as he appears before Congress Tuesday for a confirmation hearing for the role of deputy attorney general.

Under questioning from Sen. Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, Rosenstein told the committee that he has had no conversations with Attorney General Jeff Sessions about Russian contacts with the Trump campaign. On the specific question of whether he would appoint a special counsel, he said that he would evaluatethefactsandthelawandexercisehisbestjudgment“aboutwhatIbelieveistherightcourse of action.”

What you need to know about appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Trump Ranking member Sen. Dianne Feinstein told Rosenstein in the hearing that she wanted to see a special prosecutor appointed, arguing that it would be in the public interest. When she asked him whether he would appoint a special prosecutor, he responded that Obama Attorney General Loretta Lynch had been faced with a question on appointing a special prosecutor, and she rejected the request. She had confidence in the career attorneys at the Justice Department to look into the matter, he noted. Rosenstein also pointed out thattheactingattorneygeneralinthematter, DanaBoente. “Hecurrentlyhasfullauthoritytoappoint one,”andhehas not.

Askedwhetherthatcouldbetakenas a“no,”Rosensteinsaidthathe’s “simplynotinapositiontomak e thatdecision.”Healsosaid, however, thathedoesn’tpresumethatLynchandBoentearecorrectinnot appointingaspecialcounsel. Ifhewereto determinethey’rewrong, “Iwouldoverrulethem,”hetoldthe panel.

The No. 2 person at the Justice Department handles day-to-day oversight of the department and its component law enforcement agencies.

Much of the questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee is likely to focus on a commitment by Attorney General Jeff Sessions last week to recuse himself from any investigation involving the Trump campaign. The recusal followed revelations of two previously undisclosed contacts Sessions had last year with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

Thatwouldleavesuchaprobeinthehands ofRosenstein, ifhe’s confirmed.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 Some Democrats are threatening to block his nomination unless he turns the matter over to a special prosecutor.

“IwilluseeverypossibletooltoblockthenominationofRodRosensteintobeDeputyAttorneyGeneral unless he commits to appoint independentspecialprosecutor,”Sen. RichardBlumenthal, aConnecticut Democrat and Judiciary Committee member, said in a statement.

Grassley, an Iowa Republican, however, said in his opening statement that talk of a special counsel to investigateis“prematureatbest.”HealsopraisedRosenstein’simpartialityandprofessionalism. Earlier, Grassley had said in a statement that the flaw in appointing an independent counsel was that it was not the best way to ensure transparency since there is no mandatory public report at the end of the process unless charges are filed.

Inhisopeningstatement, Rosensteinassuredthecommitteethat“politicalaffiliationisirrelevant”to his work. The nominee, who has served five presidents and nine attorneys990, generalsummed since up the 1 joboftheJusticeDepartmentattorneysindefendingtheConstitutionas, “Whatcanwedo?Whatshould wedo?Andhowwillweexplainit?”

Rosenstein was appointed U.S. attorney for Maryland in the George W. Bush administration and served in the job for the entire Obama administration.

Rachel Brand, another former Justice Department attorney, also faces a confirmation hearingTuesday for the job of associate attorney general, the No. 3 position.

###

Fox News: DOJ nominee pushes back on Dem calls for Russia special prosecutor (Christopher Wallace) http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/07/doj-nominee-pushes-back-on-dem-calls-for-russia - special-prosecutor.html

PresidentTrump’s nomineefordeputyattorneygeneral, athisconfirmationhearingTuesday, pushed back on Democratic calls to name an independent special prosecutor to oversee t’s the Justice Departmen probe into Russian interference in 6 the presidential 201 campaign.

Democrats have shifted focus to nominee Rod Rosenstein in the wake of Attorney General Jeff Sessions recusing himself last week from any such investigations. If confirmed, Rosenstein would be the point person on the election interference investigation.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein,Calif., D- saidatTuesday’shearingthatRosensteinhas “impressivecredentials” andshedoesnotquestionhis “integrity.”Butshesaid, “Weneedsteelspinesand there is a real danger theJusticeDepartmentcouldbecomepoliticized.”

Rosenstein, though, said he is not aware of any circumstances that would demand his recusal, though he left the door open by saying he would become familiar with the evidence and reassess. But he would not commit to naming a special counsel.

“I’mnotawareofanyrequirementformetorecuseatthistime,”Rosensteinsaid, underseparate questioning from Republican Sen. Charles Grassley.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 Meanwhile, fellow Marylander, DemocraticSen. Chris VanHollen, praisedRosenstein’s recordas U.S. attorney for Maryland and backed his nomination. But he also called for a special prosecutor and said Rosensteinshouldbe“willingtoputhisjobonthelinetoupholdthevaluesoftheJusticeDepartment.”

Interviews with former colleagues and attorneys who know Rosenstein professionally all say he is a prosecutor that will work to defend the integrity and the independence of the Justice Department. And theydon’texpecthimtobendto politicalpressure, from either side of the aisle, on a special prosecutor with broad jurisdiction to investigate alleged Russian influence on the election.

“Hemaywelldecidetoappointaspecialprosecutor --and if he does, it won't be because a senator demandeditduringa confirmationhearing,”saidformerDOJattorneyJasonWeinstein, whowork edwith RosensteinduringtheBushandObamaadministrations. “Anditwon'tmean helackconfidenceinDOJ's s ability to do the investigation right. It would be because he concludes it's the right thing to do for the Department and for the public's confidence in the integrity of the investigation. This is a partisan minefieldno matterwhathedecides, butpartisanshipwon'tbepartoftheequationforhim.”

In explainingwhyshe’s alreadycallingforaspecialprosecutor, Feinsteinsaid, “Peoplehavetotrust… this investigationdoesnothaveeventheappearanceofconflictofinterest.”

Republicans likeSen. JohnCornynofTexas weresk epticaloftheDemocrats’ intentions. “I’mconfused thatafterpraisingMr. Rosenstein’scredentials, theDemocratsimmediatelywentontocallforan independentinvestigation,”hesaid.

Rosenstein said he has not spoken with Trump or Sessions about the possibility of appointing a special prosecutor, buthe’s“willingto appointaspecialcounselwheneverIdeemitappropriatebasedonthe policiesandprocedures oftheJusticeDepartment.”

Rosenstein has a long track record in high-profile cases that could bolster his reputation for independence.

As ayoungattorneyinthe1990s, RosensteinwastappedtojoinKennethStarr’steamofprosecutors investigating shady Clinton real estate dealings in Arkansas.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder appointed Rosenstein to investigate who was leaking classified informationabouttheObamaadministration’sroleincyberattacksagainstIran. TheDOJlaterreacheda guilty plea with retired Marine Gen. James Cartwright for making false statements about a covert cyberattackonIran’snuclear facilities. The New YorkTimes decried the result, saying it would have a chilling effect on government employees leaking to the press.

Outside the Beltway scandals, Rosenstein also has prosecuted local corruption cases, including against former Prince orge’s Ge CountyExecutiveJackBJohnson, who receivedaseven -year term for extortion and witness-and evidence-tampering. Rosenstein also has prosecuted allegedly corrupt Baltimore cops along with vicious gangs like3. MS-1

“TheMarylandcriminaldefenseb ar knows that knowing Rod will get you nowhere when it comes to trying to influence decisions in his office. He simply does what is right and just and does not take personalrelationshipsintoaccount,”saidBaltimorecriminaldefenseattorneySteveSilver man, who has known Rosenstein professionally for years.

Weinsteinsaid, “Regardless ofhistitleandhisposition, eshemakdecisions same the wayhedidduring his decades as a career prosecutor. That means following the facts wherever they lead, pursuingjustice, and doing the right thingwithoutregardforpolitics.” --

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 ## #

The Hill: LIVE COVERAGE: DOJ nominee on the hot seat over Russia (Katie Bo Williams) http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/322647-coverage-live- justices- secondary- leaders face- - senate-panel

WithAttorneyGeneralJeffSessions’s decisionThursdaytorecuse himselffromanyinvestigationsinto Russia’s connections to Donald Trump's presidential campaign, focus is turning to the Department of Justice’ssecondaryleaders.

Deputy attorney general nominee Rod Rosenstein and associate attorney general nominee Rachel Brand will face the national spotlight Tuesday during their confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Theyare lik elytofacesharpquestions abouthowtheymighthandleinvestigations intoRussia’s interference in the 6 201 election orties to the Trump as campaign, as well the president's unsubstantiated accusation that former President Obama wiretapped Trump Tower during the campaign.

The Hill will be providing updates from the Senate Judiciary hearing here. Calls for Sessions to return sparks spat

12:25 p.m.

Several Democrats took the opportunity to hammer Sessions for his corrected testimony on whether he had any contact with Russian officials during the— earning campaign a hurry-along from the chair in the process.

"I think Senator Sessions should come back. I think he owes it to this committee to come back and explain himself," Franken said in an extended summary of Sessions's confirmation testimony and subsequent correction. "He answered a question Idid not ask. I bent over backward not to say that he lied. He needs to come back."

"Ifyou’remak ing a statement, pleasemak eitveryquickly," Grassleycutin.

Later, Grassley pushed back more strongly, touching off a brief brushfire between the two lawmakers.

"I would like to comment on what Sen. Franken just said," Grassley said, characterizing Franken's initial question to Sessions regarding Russian contacts, during his confirmation hearing, as a "gotcha" question.

“Itwasnota gotchaquestion, sir,”Franksaid.en

“Itwas fromthestandpointthathedidn'tk nowwhatyouwere ask ingabout,”avisiblyangryGrassley said, gaveling for order repeatedly as Franken attempted to respond to him.

“Lookatthetape, Mr. Chair—”Franksaid. en

“SenatorTillis — Senator Tillis—”Grassleypressed, insistingthehearin g move on.

"I know what Iread in the newspaper"

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 12:09 p.m.

Pressed repeatedly by Democrats for a series of — confirmationsincluding how he interpreted the scope of Sessions's recusal, whether he would publicly announce the close of a probe into Russian involvement in the election, whether he believed a special counsel was needed, whether he knew about the existence of an ongoing investigation —Rosenstein walked a careful tightrope.

Repeatedly, he declined to speculate, insisting that it would be inappropriate for him to offer a firm opinion when the extent of his knowledge is "what Iread — ina the position newspaper" that at times appeared to frustrate Democrats.

Throughout the back-and-forth, Brand sat quietly. She was occasionally asked brief questions unrelated to Russia — but her answers were largely lost in the tense exchanges with Rosenstein.

"I'm going to ask Ms. Brand a question. Mr. Rosenstein, feel free to space out on this one," Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) joked at one point.

Rosenstein declines to endorse—or condemn —a special prosecutor

11:04 a.m.

In an occasionally tense exchange with Feinstein, Rosenstein declined to weigh in on the need for a special counsel, arguing that he doesn't know the underlying facts as the current acting deputy attorney general does and therefore cannot make a determination on whether such a role is needed. Feinstein was unsatisfied, arguing that she interpreted his answer as a "no."

Rosenstein pushed back gently.

"I'm simply not in a position to answer that," he said.

Later, pressed on the same subject by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), he affirmed: "I will appoint a special counselwheneverIdetermineit’sappropriatebasedonthepolicies andproceduresoftheDepartmentof Justice."

Rosenstein sees no reason for his own recusal

10:52 a.m.

Pressed by Grassley on any conversations he has had with Sessions about investigations into Russian interference, Rosenstein said not only did he not recall any conversation on that topic, he expected to treat any such investigation no differently than any other. Roseinstein affirmed that he was "not aware of any" reason why he would need to recuse himself from such an investigation.

"Thebottomlineisthatit’smyjob tomaksure e allinvestigations areconductedindependently."

Grassley pushes back on need for independent counsel

10:14 a.m.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 In a jam-packed committee room where attendees sat shoulder-to-shoulder — hinting at the level of interest in what would normally be a routine confirmation — committee hearing chair Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) kicked off proceedings with a fierce rebuttal of calls for an independent prosecutor in any ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the election. "Thenotionthatsomehowaspecialcounselwillbringfactstolightjustisn’ttrue," Grassleysaid.

Sessions's recusal last week means that Rosenstein will command any such investigation.

Ranking member Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was careful to note that her calls for an independent prosecutor were not related to Rosenstein's professionalism or integrity, as Grassley had suggested.

"Any insinuation that Mr. Rosenstein lacks the impartiality and professionalism to handle these kind of matters is out of line," Grassley said, referring to calls for such an office from Democrats generally. "His independence is beyond reproach."

# ##

Huffington Post: Trump Nominee For Key DOJ Post Open To Appointing Special Counsel In Russia Probe (Ryan J. Reilly) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rod-rosenstein-trump-doj - russia us 58bdb60be4b09ab537d588a3

Several Senate Democrats on Tuesday backed a longtime federal prosecutor nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the No. 2 position inartment, the Justice wherehe’doverseethefederal Dep investigation into connections between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

Rod Rosenstein, currently the top federal prosecutor in Maryland, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning he is open to appointing a special counsel to investigate Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election if necessary.

“I’mwillingtoappointaspecialcounsel... wheneverIdeterminethatit’s appropriatebaseduponthe policies and procedures theJusticeDepartment,”Rosensteintoldthecommittee. of

However, hedidn’tcommittoappointingaspecialcounselandsaid, atthispoint, hedidn’tseeaspecific reasonhecouldn’toverseesuchaninvestigation.

If confirmed, Rosenstein would become deputy attorney general, a crucial role just under Attorney GeneralJeffSessions. LastweekSessions , recusedhimselffromanyinvestigationsconnectedtoTrump’s presidential campaign, meaning the probe of connections between Trump associates and Russian officials would fall to Rosenstein.

Rosenstein, 52, is a Harvard Law graduate who served as U.S. attorney in Maryland under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Rosenstein would replace former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, who was fired byTrump while serving as acting attorney general because she refused to defend Trump’s travelban.

Atthispoint, Rosenstein’sconfirmationas deputyattorneygeneralseems lik eaprettysurething. was He introduced to the Senate Judiciary Committee by two Maryland Democrats, Sens. Benjamin Cardin and ChrisVanHollen. Cardinsaidhewas“confident”ofRosenstein’sjudgment, andVanHollensaid Rosenstein would uphold the public trust.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 Still, manyDemocrats hadquestionsforRosensteinabouthowhe’dhandle the ongoing Russia investigation. Sayingpoliticalaffiliationwas“irrelevant”to his, workRosensteintoldthecommitteethat he would ensure there were independent prosecutors conducting any investigation, including the Russia probe.

“Iknowthis isthe issue du jour on Capitol Hill, but I anticipate that if I were the deputy attorney general, we’dhavealotofmatterscomingtotheDepartmentovertime, andIwouldapproachthemallthesame way,”Rosensteinsaid. “Iwouldevaluatethefacts andthelaw, consider the applicable regulations, consult with career professionals in the Department, and then exercise my best judgment if I were acting attorney general or provide my best advice to the attorney general if he were not recused about what I believeistherightcourseofaction.”

Rosenstein, who said he had not had any conversations with Sessions about the Russia issue, said he is notyetinapositiontodecidewhetheraspecialprosecutorisnecessary. ButRosensteinsaidhe’dbe willing to appoint a special counsel if necessary, based on the procedures at the Justice Department.

“Ifit’s AmericaagainstRussiaorAmericaagainstanyothercountry, Ithinkeveryoneinthisroomk nows whichsideI’mon,”Rosensteinsaidduringthehearing.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said she believes aspecialprosecutorisnecessary. “Thereis arealdanger, Ibelieve, thattheDepartmentof Justicecouldbecomepoliticized,”Feinsteinsaid.

But Sen. Chuck GrassleyIowa), (R- whochairstheSenateJudiciaryCommittee, saidTuesdayitis “far too soontotell atthistime”whetheraspecialcounselisnecessary.

###

U.S. News & World Report: Rosenstein Won't Commit to Special Prosecutor on Russia (Alan Neuhauser) https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-07/rosenstein-commit03- wont- to-- special-prosecutor-russiafor- probe-

The Justice Department nominee who would oversee federal investigations involving Russia's meddling in the 2016 election refused Tuesday to commit to recusing himself and appointing a special prosecutor to lead such inquiries.

U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein, who was nominated by President Donald Trump to become deputy attorney general– the No. 2 spot at the Justice – Departmenttestified at his confirmation hearing that he would "defend the integrity and independence" of the department.

But he said he lacked the information needed to determine whether an independent prosecutor was necessary.

"If I were confirmed, Iwould need to familiarize myself with the facts, Iwould need to consult with experts in the department," Rosenstein, the top federal prosecutor for Maryland, told the Senate Judiciary Committee. "I'm not aware of any requirement for me to recuse at this time. But as a lawyer I would need to know what Iam recusing from."

Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from any investigations related to last year's presidential campaigns under bipartisan pressure last week, after reports revealed that he had at least two previously

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 undisclosed meetings with Russia's U.S. ambassador during the 2016 campaign. Sessions, a former GOP lawmaker from Alabama, was the first sitting senator to endorse Trump.

The developments spurred congressional Democrats' calls for an independent special counsel that would place distance between the Justice Department and the Trump team regarding a probe of Russian activities.

"It's vitally important that the American people have trust in this investigation and that there is not even the appearance of a conflict of interest or political influence," Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the Judiciary Committee's top Democrat, said in her opening remarks Tuesday. "Ido not say this because I question the integrity or the ability of Mr. Rosenstein. I do not. But this is about more than just one individual. This is about the integrity of the process and the public's faith in our institutions of justice."

Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, have been more circumspect, though a chorus pushed for Sessions' recusal.

For example, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South– a Carolina senior Republican on the Judiciary Committee – allowed last week ahead of Sessions' announcement that a special prosecutor may be needed depending on whether the FBIfinds evidence of illicit connections between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. But he stopped short of calling for one outright.

Rep. Darrell Issa of California, a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, went further, making headlines late last month when he told Bill Maher that a special prosecutor should investigate Russian interference in the election.

Rosenstein on Tuesday hinted that he may not choose to recuse himself. Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, he pointed out, resisted calls in the final weeks of Obama's presidency in January to appoint a special counsel to investigate Russian interference.

"My understanding is that at least one of your colleagues called for a special counsel for something related to this matter while the attorney general was in office in early January, and she rejected the request," Rosenstein said in response to a question from Feinstein. "She said what I said, that she had confidence in the career professionals in the department."

He added that "if there was a need for a special counsel," Acting Deputy Attorney General Dana Boente, an Obama administration appointee, "has full authority to appoint one."

Rosenstein continued, "The answer is I'm simply not in a position to answer the question" about whether to appoint a special prosecutor.

"When I am in that position, Idon't presume that Attorney General Lynch and Acting Deputy Attorney General Boente weren't correct," he said, noting that if he felt they did make a mistake, however, he would overrule them.

Rosenstein said that he has not had any communication with Sessions since the former senator became attorney general, and that the pair last spoke Nov. 28, when he received a call from Sessions.

###

NBC: Who Is Rod Rosenstein? Trump Pick for Deputy Attorney General Would Oversee Russia- Ties Investigation (Kalhan Rosenblatt)

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/who-rosenstein-rod- trump pick-deputy- - attorney-general-would- oversee n730126-

President Donald Trump's nominee for deputy attorney general was scrutinized during a contentious confirmation hearing on Tuesday while appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The hearing had an extra level of tension baked in as Rod Rosenstein will be tasked with either leading the investigation into Russian interference in6 U.S.the 201 presidential election and Moscow's relationship to Trump's campaign or appointing a special prosecutor

Rosenstein faced an onslaught of questions pertaining to Russia and the recusal of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions during his confirmation hearing for the deputy position.

Trump nominated Rosenstein—who is described as a nonpartisan straight shooter who has worked for both Democratic and Republican presidents—for the position in January, before his would-be boss was embroiled in any Russian-related controversy.

Currently the U.S. attorneyfor the District of Maryland, Rosenstein, 52, has worked for the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice for 26 years, according to the Department of Justice website. He was unanimously confirmed as U.S. attorney in 2005 after being appointed by President George W. Bush, and was then retained by President Barack Obama.

Rosenstein is the only U.S. attorney appointed by a previous administration to last all eight years of the Obama administration, according to the New York Times.

A graduate from Harvard Law — Schoolwhere he edited the Harvard Law — RosensteinReview started his careerwith the Department of Justice 990. in He 1 then served as counsel to Deputy Attorney General Philip B. Heymann in President Bill Clinton's first term.

Rosenstein was nominated by President George W. Bush to be Maryland's United States Attorney in May 2005, and was confirmed unanimously by the senate a month later.

In 2012 he was appointed by then-Attorney General Eric Holder to oversee a federal investigation into sensitive leaks that resulted in Retired Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright pleading guilty to making false statements about a covert U.S. cyber attack on Iran's nuclear program.

A decade earlier, Rosenstein was also a part of the Whitewater investigation into President Bill Clinton's real estate dealings in Arkansas, which resulted in three convictions.

And just this month, his office was involved in prosecuting and indicting seven Baltimore police officers for federal racketeering crimes.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein, right, speaks at a news conference in Baltimore, Wednesday, March 1,7, 201 to announce that seven Baltimore police officerson who worked a firearms crime task force are facing charges of stealing money, property and narcotics from people over two years. Patrick Semansky / AP During the first stretch of his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Rosenstein was asked if he had made a decision on whether to select a special counsel to investigate Russia's attempt to influence the election.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 He said he is "not in a position to answer" that question because he has yet to read the intelligence community's report on its findings regarding Russian interference. He added if he thought current officials were wrong in not bringing about special counsel he would "overrule them."

Rosenstein told Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, that he wasn't aware of any reason why he would be unable to oversee the investigation.

During the hearing he also said he had "no reason to doubt" the findings of the 17 U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia influence the presidential election, but Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, said he found it "very disturbing" that Rosenstein said he hadn't read the declassified report.

Franken also said Sessions owed it to the committee to "come back," and stressed that he "bent over backwards" not to say that Sessions lied.

Some Democrats had threatened to block Rosenstein's nomination if he declined to commit to appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Russian interference into the election and its connection to the Trump campaign.

"I'll use every possible tool to block DOJ Deputy AG nominee unless he commits to appoint independent special prosecutor," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, tweeted on Sunday.

###

Washington Times: Deputy AG nominee Rosenstein: No need for recusal in Russian probe (Andrea Noble) http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/mar/7/rod-rosenstein-deputy-nominee-need ag- no - - recusal/

The federal prosecutor nominated for the second-highest position in the Justice Department said Tuesday that he had not knowingly met with any Russian officials in the time since he was first contacted about the position in November and was not aware of any reason why he should recuse himself from any related investigation.

RodRosenstein, thenomineefordeputyattorneygeneral, pushedbackagainstSenateDemocrats’ assertions that he should appoint a special prosecutor to oversee any investigation into Russian meddling with the 2016 election.

“Itismyjobto mak esureallinvestigationsareconductedindependently,”Mr. Rosensteinsaidatthe outsetofthehearingbeforetheSenateJudiciaryCommittee. “Politicalaffiliationisirrelevantto my work.”

As a result of Attorney GeneralSessions’ Jeff announcementlastweekhewouldrecusehimselffromany investigation involving the presidential campaign, Mr. Rosenstein, the longest-serving U.S. Attorney in the country, would inherit any DOJ investigations into the presidential campaign.

Asked by Sen. Dianne Feinstein whether he would appoint a special prosecutor, Mr. Rosenstein said it was too soon to make that kind of determination because he is not currently privy to the type of information that he would need to review as part of any assessment.

“Theansweris Iamsimplynotinapositionto answerthatquestionbecauseIamnotinthepositionto know,”saidMr. Rosenstein, whohasservedastheU.S. AttorneyfortheDistrictofMarylandsince2005.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 But he later said he would be open to the possibility of appointing a special prosecutor in instances where it was appropriate and warranted.

“ItisvitaltheAmericanpeoplehavetrust,”Mrs. Feinstein, CaliforniaDemocrat, saidattheoutsetof Tuesday’s nominationhearing. “Idonotsayt his because I question the integrity or the ability of Mr. Rosenstein. This isaboutmorethanoneindividual.”

Asked whether he had met with any Russian officials, Mr. Rosenstein said that to his knowledge he had not, “atleastnotrecently.”

Mr. Rosenstein said he was first contacted about serving as deputy attorney general when Mr. Sessions called him on Nov. 28. He also indicated that in his conversations with Mr. Session about the nomination that he had not ever spoken with the attorney general about Russian contacts with the Trump campaign.

Mr. Sessions, who supported President Trump during the campaign, disclosed last week that he had met twice with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the course — of a the contradiction campaign to testimony he gave during his own confirmation hearing.

The push from Democrats to get a special prosecutor appointed was met with stiff resistance from Republicans onthejudiciarycommitteewhosaidtheyhadeveryfaithinMr. Rosenstein’s abilityto independently oversee an investigation.

“AnyinsinuationthatMr. Rosensteinlacktheimpartiality s orprofessionalismnecessarytohandlethese mattersis outofline,”saidSen. Charles Grassley, IowaRepublicanandthechairmanofthejudiciary committee. “He’saca reer civil servant who has served with distinction during both the Bush and Obama administrations. His independenceisbeyondreproach.”

Mr. Sessions announcement of his recusal came last week after it was disclosed that he met with Mr. Kislyak once at his Senate office in his capacity as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a second time in a group setting with other ambassadors following a Heritage Foundation speech at the Republican National Convention.

Beyond those two meetings, Mr. Sessions said he did not believe that he had been in contact with anyone else working on behalf of the Russian government.

But his statement at a January confirmation hearing that he had not had communication with Russian officials, he said, was focused on the question of whether there had been constant contact between Trump campaign surrogates such as himself and Russian intelligence officers.

“Iwas takaback en alittlebitaboutthisbrand -new information, this allegation a that surrogate—and I had been called a surrogate for Donald—hadbeenmeetingcontinuouslywithRussianofficials,” Trump hesaid. “Itstruckme veryhard, andthat’s whatIfocusedmyansweron.”

Hesaidthatinretrospectheshouldhave“sloweddown”andack nowledgedthemeeting with one Russian official outside campaign activities.

###

Slate: Trump’sPickforDeputyAGS aysHeCan’tCommittoAppointingS pecialProsecutorto Investigate Russia Ties (Leon Neyfak)

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 http://www.slate.com/blogs/theslatest/2017/03/07/rod rosenstein doesn t commit to appointing specialprosecutor for russia.html

DonaldTrump’s nomineefordeputyattorneygeneral, whowouldserveassecond -in-command in the Justice Department if confirmed, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning that he cannot commit to appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 election ortheTrump campaign’s possiblecomplicityinthoseefforts.

Rod Rosenstein, currently the U.S. attorney for Maryland, would be in charge of deciding whether to appoint a special prosecutor, because Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced last week that he would recuse himself from any investigation into the Trump campaign.

Rosensteinwas ask edbySen. DianneFeinsteinwhether, given“thestrongpotential”thataninvestigation into Russ ianinterferenceintheelection“willinfactinvolveindividualsassociatedwiththeWhite House,”and“theheightenedlevelofdistrustonallsides,”hesupportsthe“appointmentofan independentspecialcounseltolookinto”thesituation.

Rosensteinrepliedbysayingheisnotinapositiontoweighinatthispointbecausehedoesn’tk now all the relevant facts and cannot possibly know them until he familiarizes himself, in his capacity as deputy AG, with whatever investigation might be taking place. He noted— thata U.S. Dana attorney Boente who was appointed acting deputy attorney general after Trump fired Obama holdover—currently Sally Yates has theauthoritytocallforaspecialcounselandhas notdoneso. “Iwouldn'tbeinapositiontooverrule” Boente’sjudgment, Rosensteinsaid, before“havingaccesstothefacts”thatjudgmentisbasedon.

Rosensteindidsaythathedoesn’tpresumeBoente’sjudgmentiscorrectandisopentoarrivingata different one when he is confirmed.

Later in the hearing, Sen. Pat Leahy brought 973 confirmation up the 1 hearing of Attorney General Elliot Richardson, noting that he committed to appointing an independent prosecutor to investigate the Watergate scandal if confirmed. Leahy asked Rosenstein whetherld“raisechallenges”forhimif, it wou whileconductinganinvestigationinto Russianmeddlingintheelection, heturnedup“communications betweenthoseunderinvestigationandyourownboss.”

Rosensteinreplied, “Yes, itwould, senator.”

###

Slate: Chuck Grassley Yells at Al Franken Over the Jeff Sessions Controversy During Senate Hearing (Leon Neyfakh) http://www.slate.com/blogs/theslatest/2017/03/07/video al franken and chuck grassley yelling match during rod rosenstein.html

A one-sided shouting match broke out during a congressional hearingTuesday, as Sen. Chuck Grassley criticized Sen. Al Franken ingAttorneyGeneralJeffSessionsa“gotchaquestion”duringhis for ask confirmation hearing in January.

The blow-up, which you can watch above, occurred during the confirmation hearing of Rod Rosenstein, DonaldTrump’s picktoserveasSessions’ second-in-command at the Justice Department. When it came time for him to ask Rosenstein questions, Franken took the opportunity to revisit his now-famous exchange with then-Sen. Sessions, and to call on Sessions to testify before the committee a second time.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 During that Jan. 10 exchange, Franken cited a breaking CNN report about communications between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence officials, and asked Sessions what he would do in response to evidence that such communications took place.artofhis As answer, p Sessionssaid, “Ididnothave communications withtheRussians”— an assertion that turned out to be false when the Washington Post revealed that Sessions had met with the Russian ambassador twice in 2016.

“Myquestionwas notansweredhonestly,”Frank ensaidTuesday, as Rosenstein,Sessions’ likelydeputy, listened.

Frankcontinued,en “Ithink he owes ittothis committeeto come backandtoexplainhimself.”Atthis point he was addressing Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman irectly: Grassley “Ihavebentover d backwards nottosaythathelied. … Ihave givenhimthebenefitofthedoubt, buthehastocomeback .”

Grassley replied with fury in his voice, chastising Franken for asking Sessions a question based on news that had justnreportedandthatSessionshadnothadachancetoreview. bee “Idon’texpectSenator Franken to act like Iwould towards our witnesses, but as Iremember Senator Franken asking his question of Senator Sessions, he referred to something that hadnCNN,”Grassleysaid. just come o Hecontinued: “Youprobablyshouldhavegivenhimachancetogettheinformationyouhadandreflectonitandgive ananswerinwriting.”

GrassleythenturnedtoRosensteinandRachelBrand, whoisTrump’s nomineeforassociateat torney generalandisalsobeingquestionedTuesday. “Isaidthistoyouwhenyouwereintheprivacyofmy office: IfIwasgoingtoaskyouagotchaquestion, Iwas goingtotellyouaboutitaheadoftime,”hesaid. “AndIconsiderwhatSenatorFranken asked Sessions at that late moment, [when] that story had just comeout, asagotchaquestion.”

Frankbrokintosay,en e “Itwas notagotchaquestion, sir.”Grassleyrepliedwitharoar: “Itwas. He didn’tk now whatyou were ask ingabout.”As Frankbeg enan to reply, Grassley slammed his on gavel his podium and ended the discussion.

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BuzzFeedNews: TopDOJNomineeWon’tCommitToHavingAnOutsideCounselLookInto Russian Influence (Zoe Tillman) https://www.buzzfeed.com/zoetillman/top-doj-nominee-commit-having-outside wont- to- an- counsel- - loo?utm term=.cc9JKlp0bk#.gcWagQqKRw

The nominee for a top Justice Department job, who likely would oversee any investigation into Russian influenceinthe2016campaignifhe’s confirmed, wouldnotsayonTuesdayifwouldappointaspecial counsel to investigate the matter.

Rod Rosenstein, appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on his nomination for deputy attorney general, said that he could not make such a commitment without having access to all the facts. He did, however, defendthedepartment’sabilitytocarryoutindependentinvestigationsonitsown.

Rosenstein, who would have the number two job at DOJ if confirmed, noted that former Attorney General Loretta Lynch rejected calls for an special counsel to investigate Russian influence in the 2016 election while she was still head of the Justice Department.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 But, acknowledging that the special counsel issue was the hot topic on Capitol Hill, Rosenstein said that, if confirmed, he would approach all matters the same way: He would evaluate the facts and the law, consult with career experts at the department, and then exercise his judgment about how to proceed.

“It’s myjobto makesurethatallinvestigationsareconductedindependently, andwhetherit’s alawora statute or some other mechanism, Iwould ensure that every investigation is conductedy,” independentl Rosenstein said.

The Independent Counsel Law, which most people know for its role in leading the investigation that endedwithPresidentClinton’simpeachment, expiredin1999. Noreplacementlawhaseverbeenpassed, but the attorney general does maintain, under Justice Department regulations, the ability to appoint a special counsel.

A special counsel, a lawyer from outside of federal government, can be appointed by the attorney general — or a person acting as attorney— togeneral investigate or prosecute a case in which the Justice Department has a conflict of interest or in which it is in the public interest to do so. Many Democrats have called for a special counsel to be appointed to handle any campaign-related investigation.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced last week that he would recuse himself from any investigation aboutRussiancontactsduringthe2016campaign. Sessions’ recusalannouncementcameafterrevelations that he met with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the campaign, despite testimony at his confirmation hearing that he did not have communications with Russians during the campaign.

Sessionshasdefendedhistestimony, however, sayingthathedidn’tdiscussthecampaignduringthose conversations and met with Kislyak in his capacity as a senator, not on behalf of the campaign. In announcing his recusal, Sessions said he was not confirming that there was any investigation at the moment.

With Sessions recused, though, the next highest Senate-confirmed Justice Department official takes over under a succession order that Trump signed in February. Until Rosenstein is confirmed, that job falls to acting deputy attorney general Dana Boente, who is also the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Senate Judiciary CommitteeChairmanChuck GrassleykedoffTuesday’sconfirmationhearingwith ick a series of questions about the special counsel issue. Democrats have called for a special counsel to oversee decisions about an election investigation; Grassley said in his opening remarks that a special counsel-led investigationwas “notthebestwaytoensuretransparencyandaccountability.”

Grassleyask edRosensteinifhe’devermetwithrepresentatives oftheRussiangovernment. Rosenstein said that he was not aware oneso.of havingRosensteinalsosaidthathe’d d never spokwithSessionsen abouttheissueofRussiancontacts withDonaldTrump’scampaign, andwasn’tawareofanyreasonthat he’dhavetorecusehimselffromhandlingdecisionsaboutinvestigatingRussianinfluenc e in the election ifhe’sconfirmed.

Thecommittee’srank ingmember, Sen. DianneFeinstein, edifRosensteinsupportedappointing ask a specialprosecutor. Rosensteinsaidthat, withoutk nowingallthefacts, hewasn’tin a positionto answer the question or to say if decisions made by Lynch or Boente were right or wrong. Asked by Sen. Dick Durbin if he would tell the public if the department decided to close or end any investigation into the election, Rosenstein said he would if it was appropriate.

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 Sen. Lindsey Graham, a leading Republican proponent of a bipartisan congressional inquiry into Russian influence in the election, asked Rosenstein if he could assure the committee that any DOJ investigation is overseen by a lawyer who is independent. Rosenstein said he believed that was his responsibility in every case.

Rosenstein has spent the bulk of his career at the Justice Department and has served as the US attorney for Maryland since —2005a job that he kept throughout the Obama administration, making him the rare political appointee to carry over across presidents.

In 2012, then-Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. tapped Rosenstein and Ronald Machen, the US attorney for the District of Columbia at the time, to lead an investigation into national security leaks. In the questionnaire that he submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee, he listed a criminal prosecution that came out of that investigation as among the most significant cases he had handled in his career.

The Senate Judiciary Committee also TuesdayfromRachelBrand,heard on Trump’s nomineefor associate attorney general, the third-ranking official at the Justice Department.

The Guardian: Senators seek Rod Rosenstein pledge to name a special prosecutor on Russia ties (Lois Beckett) https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/mar/07/rod-rosenstein- confirmation-hearing trump- - russia

WillTrump’s nomineefordeputyattorneygeneralpledgetoapp oint an independent special prosecutor to investigate“theTrump campaign’stiestoRussia”?

That’sthequestionDemocrats willbeaskingRodRosensteinduringhis confirmationhearingonTuesday morning. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate minorityer, saidonMondaythatthis lead was“farand awaythemostimportantquestion”thatRosensteinwouldneedtoanswer.

Richard Blumenthal, one of the Democrats on the Senate judiciary committee, pledged again on Monday to use“everytool, everypoweravailable”toslowRosenstein’sconfirmationifhewouldnotpromiseto appoint a special prosecutor.

Schumersaidaspecialprosecutorwouldhave“greaterlatitude”toinvestigateRussia’sinterferenceinthe election, as wellas “greaterindependence”tocondu ct the inquiry, since he or she could only be removed fromtheinvestigationfor“goodcause”andwouldhavethepower“toprosecutenotonlythesubjectof aninvestigationbutanyonewhoattempts tointerfere”.

The Republican chair of the Senaterycommitteeresistedthesedemands. judicia “Nobodyshouldbe prejudgingas toifthereshouldorshouldn’tbeaspecialprosecutor,”BethLevine, aspokeswoman for SenatorChuckGrassley, saidinastatement. “MrRosensteinshouldgointothejobwithoutany predeterminationsandevaluatethenecessityonthefactsandthemerits.”

TheFBIis reportedlyinvestigatingRussia’sinterferenceinthe2016election, includingscrutinyoflink s between Trump associates and Russia.

Under bipartisan pressure from Congress, the attorney general, Jeff Sessions, recused himself last week from overseeing any election-related investigations. Sessions failed to mention his election-year meetings with the Russian ambassador during his own confirmation hearing, despite a direct question about whetherhehadbeen“incontactwithanyoneconnectedtoanypartoftheRussiangovernmentaboutthe

Document ID: 0.7.24125.6267-000001 2016 election”. Sessionslatersaidhe“shouldhave”mentionedthemeetings, buthas also defendedhis response as appropriate given edidnotrecallanyconversations“regardingthepoliticalcampaign that h ontheseoccasions”.

Sessions’ recusalputs thedeputyattorneygeneral, thejusticedepartment’ssecond -highest ranking official, in charge of overseeing any investigations of Russian interference in the election.

Rosenstein, currentlytheUS attorneyinMaryland, isawidelyrespectedcareerprosecutorwith26years’ experience within the justice department. Former justice officials from Democratic administrations praised his skill and integrity, with one calling him a surprisingly non-partisan choice for a Trump administrationappointee, andsayinghewasthe“perfect”persontooverseeafraughtpolitical investigation that might touch on the White House itself.

Schumer and BlumenthalsaidtheybelievedaspecialprosecutorshouldinvestigatenotonlyRussia’s interference and any contacts between Moscow and Trump associates, but also whether members of the administration, includingSessions himself, hadmade“cover -up attempts”ortriedto “meddle”inthe investigation.

In a press conference on Monday, Blumenthal invoked the Watergate investigation of President Richard Nixon, whensenators usedtheconfirmationprocesstoforcethepresident’s attorneygeneralnomineeto promise to appoint a special prosecutor and guarantee him independence to carry out his investigation.

ThatsameprecedentshouldbefollowedinRosenstein’sconfirmationprocess, Blumenthalsaid.

Other Democrats on the Senate judiciary committee did not respond to requests for comment on Monday on whether they agreed with Blumenthal.

Democrats haveack nowledgedRosenstein’sreputation as a“straightshooter”and“honorable”public servant, withSchumercallinghim“afairman”.

A CNN survey of about 1,000 American adults found that nearly two-thirds supported having a special prosecutor investigate links between Russia and Trump associates, including 43% of Republicans.

As ayoungRepublicanlawyer, RosensteinwastappedtojoinKennethStarr’sindependentWhitew ater investigationintoBillandHillaryClinton’srealestatedealings an– investigation that later pivoted to diggingintoBillClinton’saffairwithaWhiteHouseintern.

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