Trump downplays Russia in first comments on hacking campaign
4 years, 3 months ago

Trump downplays Russia in first comments on hacking campaign

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Contradicting his secretary of state and other top officials, President Donald Trump on Saturday suggested without evidence that China — not Russia — may be behind the cyber espionage operation against the United States and tried to minimize its impact. In his first comments on the breach, Trump scoffed at the focus on the Kremlin and downplayed the intrusions, which the nation’s cybersecurity agency has warned posed a “grave” risk to government and private networks. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late Friday that Russia was “pretty clearly” behind the operation against the United States. Officials at the White House had been prepared to put out a statement Friday afternoon that accused Russia of being “the main actor” in the hack, but were told at the last minute to stand down, according to one U.S. official familiar with the conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. While Trump downplayed the impact of the hacks, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has said it compromised federal agencies as well as “critical infrastructure.” Homeland Security, the agency’s parent department, defines such infrastructure as any “vital” assets to the U.S. or its economy, a broad category that could include power plants and financial institutions.

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History of this topic

Foreign Hackers and Leaks: A Growing Threat to the US Election
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Foreign Hackers and Leaks: A Growing Threat to the US Election

Associated Press  

A series of recent developments indicate an increase in foreign interference in the US election. Russia, China, and Iran have stepped up their efforts to manipulate the election process, with Russia being the top threat. The Kremlin has been actively spreading disinformation and propaganda through various means, including fake videos and social media manipulation. Iran has also been involved in …

Palling around with Putin: Trump's mind-boggling outreach to the Russian dictator under scrutiny
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Palling around with Putin: Trump's mind-boggling outreach to the Russian dictator under scrutiny

Salon  

Exactly eight years ago this week, the Obama administration formally accused the Russian government of hacking the Democratic National Committee and many others for the intended purpose of interfering with the US elections. Hillary Clinton even brought it up in the presidential debate and Trump denied it saying it could just as easily be “somebody sitting on their bed that …

The FBI says Iran tried to send hacked files to Democrats. It’s another sign of foreign meddling
6 months ago

The FBI says Iran tried to send hacked files to Democrats. It’s another sign of foreign meddling

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — When the FBI said this week that Iran had tried to provide Democrats with material stolen from Donald Trump’s campaign, it was only the latest allegation of foreign interference with the U.S. election. The FBI said a few people connected to Biden’s reelection effort received unsolicited emails in late June and early July, before he dropped out of …

FBI investigating possible Iranian hacking of Trump and Biden campaigns: report
7 months, 1 week ago

FBI investigating possible Iranian hacking of Trump and Biden campaigns: report

Raw Story  

The FBI is probing hacking attempts — purportedly by Iran — against the Trump and Biden campaigns in recent months, according to a report. Politico reporter Alex Isenstadt flagged the news on social media, saying, "Trump's campaign says it has been hacked." "The acknowledgment came after POLITICO began receiving emails from an anonymous account with documents from inside Trump’s operation, …

Trump and his allies once cheered hacked materials. No longer, now that they say he’s a target
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Trump and his allies once cheered hacked materials. No longer, now that they say he’s a target

LA Times  

Donald Trump, during his first presidential campaign, heartily embraced the Russian hacking of his opponent’s aides and the Democratic National Committee. In 2016, intelligence officials said Russian hackers obtained thousands of emails from the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and the personal account of Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta. Trump routinely touted the Democratic leaks at his …

Trump campaign accuses ‘hostile’ foreign sources of hacking and leaking confidential documents
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Trump campaign accuses ‘hostile’ foreign sources of hacking and leaking confidential documents

Hindustan Times  

Former President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign said Saturday that it has been hacked and suggested Iranian actors were involved in stealing and distributing sensitive internal documents. It cited an instance of an Iranian military intelligence unit in June sending “a spear-phishing email to a high-ranking official of a presidential campaign from a compromised email account of a former senior advisor.” …

Trump hides the worst scandal in American history in plain sight
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Trump hides the worst scandal in American history in plain sight

Raw Story  

It’s been nearly two weeks since Donald Trump echoed his 2016 public request for Vladimir Putin’s help in winning a presidential election, and the press remains determined to ignore it. The concerted effort to ignore Trump's begging for Putin's help in this specific instance goes along with the media’s general surrender on the connections between Trump and Russia. When there …

Intel: Putin may cite Ukraine war to meddle in US politics
2 years, 11 months ago

Intel: Putin may cite Ukraine war to meddle in US politics

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine as a pretext to order a new campaign to interfere in American politics, U.S. intelligence officials have assessed. Top U.S. intelligence officials are still working on plans for a new center authorized by Congress focusing on foreign influence campaigns by Russia, China and other adversaries. “Our …

A New Report Adds Evidence That Trump Was a Russian Asset
55 years, 2 months ago

A New Report Adds Evidence That Trump Was a Russian Asset

Slate  

Donald Trump was a tool in a long-running Russian campaign to weaken the United States. It argues, to the contrary, that Beijing saw Trump as a weaker adversary because he “would alienate US partners,” whereas Biden “would pose a greater challenge over the long run because he would be more successful in mobilizing a global alliance against China.” As to …

Russia calls US intel report on election meddling ‘baseless’
4 years ago

Russia calls US intel report on election meddling ‘baseless’

Al Jazeera  

The report directly linked President Vladimir Putin to attempts to swing the US election in Donald Trump’s favour. Russia has called United States intelligence findings that President Vladimir Putin had likely directed efforts to try to swing the 2020 presidential election towards Donald Trump as “baseless”. The report said Moscow sought to “push influence narratives” that included misleading or unsubstantiated …

Putin approved operations to help Trump in election against Biden, intelligence report says
4 years ago

Putin approved operations to help Trump in election against Biden, intelligence report says

LA Times  

Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized influence operations to help then-President Trump in November’s presidential election, according to a declassified intelligence assessment that found broad efforts by the Kremlin and Iran to shape the outcome of the race, but ultimately no evidence that any foreign actor changed votes or otherwise disrupted the voting process. Despite those threats, though, intelligence officials found …

US: Hack of federal agencies ‘likely Russian in origin’
4 years, 2 months ago

US: Hack of federal agencies ‘likely Russian in origin’

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Top national security agencies confirmed Tuesday that Russia was likely responsible for a massive hack of U.S. government departments and corporations, rejecting President Donald Trump’s claim that China might be to blame. It said the hacks appeared to be intended for “intelligence gathering,” suggesting the evidence so far pointed to a Russian spying effort rather than an attempt …

Biden blames Trump for ‘downplaying’ cyberattack on US government
4 years, 3 months ago

Biden blames Trump for ‘downplaying’ cyberattack on US government

Al Jazeera  

US President-elect Joe Biden says the ‘assault’ on government computers will not ‘go unanswered’. United States President-elect Joe Biden warned the recently uncovered cyber-“assault” on government computers had compromised US national security and would not “go unanswered” once he becomes president. “This attack constitutes a grave risk to our national security,” Biden said on Tuesday at a news conference in …

Barr says US government hack appears to be Russia despite Trump trying to deflect suspicion from Moscow
4 years, 3 months ago

Barr says US government hack appears to be Russia despite Trump trying to deflect suspicion from Moscow

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Attorney General William Barr has said he supports intelligence assessments …

Trump has a Russia ‘blind spot’, says US Senator Romney
4 years, 3 months ago

Trump has a Russia ‘blind spot’, says US Senator Romney

Al Jazeera  

President Donald Trump downplayed cyberattack on US gov’t agencies, which US officials have blamed on Russia. Republican Senator Mitt Romney has said a widespread data breach across the US government was “extraordinarily damaging” and that President Donald Trump has a “blind spot” when it comes to Russia, which US officials suspect was behind the hack. “We’ve come to recognise that …

Donald Trump downplays Russia in first comments on cyberattack
4 years, 3 months ago

Donald Trump downplays Russia in first comments on cyberattack

Live Mint  

Washington: Contradicting his secretary of state and other top officials, President Donald Trump on Saturday suggested without evidence that China — not Russia — may be behind the cyberattack against the United States and tried to minimize its impact. In his first comments on the breach, Trump scoffed at the focus on the Kremlin and downplayed the intrusions, which the …

Trump claims US cyber hack not as big as media reports
4 years, 3 months ago

Trump claims US cyber hack not as big as media reports

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump has claimed the massive cyber hack that took …

Pompeo Says Russia 'Pretty Clearly' Behind Cyberattack, Prompting Pushback From Trump
4 years, 3 months ago

Pompeo Says Russia 'Pretty Clearly' Behind Cyberattack, Prompting Pushback From Trump

NPR  

Pompeo Says Russia 'Pretty Clearly' Behind Cyberattack, Prompting Pushback From Trump Enlarge this image toggle caption Tami Chappell/AFP via Getty Images Tami Chappell/AFP via Getty Images Updated at 12:10 p.m. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency on Thursday acknowledged that the hack "poses a grave risk" to federal, state and local governments across the country — but refrained from directly …

Trump downplays massive cyberattack on US government agencies
4 years, 3 months ago

Trump downplays massive cyberattack on US government agencies

Al Jazeera  

In first comments since the security breach, Donald Trump says everything is ‘under control’ and undercuts blame on Russia. Donald Trump has downplayed the importance of a wide-reaching cyberattack on the United States government that was described this week as one of the worst in the country’s history, saying “everything is well under control”. On Saturday morning, Trump tweeted that …

All signs point to Russia in cyberattack, but Trump points to China
4 years, 3 months ago

All signs point to Russia in cyberattack, but Trump points to China

LA Times  

Contradicting his secretary of State and other top officials, President Trump on Saturday suggested without evidence that China — not Russia — may be behind the cyberattack against the United States and tried to downplay its impact. In his first comments on the breach, Trump scoffed at the focus on the Kremlin and minimized the intrusions, which the nation’s cybersecurity …

Tom Bossert, ex-DHS adviser under Trump, calls for urgent action to address suspected Russian cyberattack
4 years, 3 months ago

Tom Bossert, ex-DHS adviser under Trump, calls for urgent action to address suspected Russian cyberattack

CNN  

Washington CNN — President Donald Trump’s former homeland security adviser described the massive data breach of multiple US federal agencies, which US officials suspect is the work of Russian-linked hackers, in urgent terms Wednesday night, calling for immediate and decisive action by the President. He added that it will “take years to know for certain which networks the Russians control …

Trump remains silent as massive cyber hack poses ‘grave risk’ to government
4 years, 3 months ago

Trump remains silent as massive cyber hack poses ‘grave risk’ to government

CNN  

CNN — When President Donald Trump convened his Cabinet at the White House Wednesday as Washington absorbed news of a massive data breach, the heads of most agencies relevant to the intrusion — including the Department of Defense, the State Department, the Justice Department, the director of national intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency — were absent. “This is almost …

NBC News reporter explains what info Russia could have obtained from US government hack
4 years, 3 months ago

NBC News reporter explains what info Russia could have obtained from US government hack

Raw Story  

The largest data breach in the United States since 2014 took place this week, the Washington Post reported Sunday, when it was revealed the Russians hacked the U.S. government. Speaking on the topic, NBC News reporter Ken Dilanian explained that it had been confirmed that it was the Russian version of the CIA that hacked into the Treasury Department and …

Russian hackers targeting state, local networks, says U.S.
4 years, 5 months ago

Russian hackers targeting state, local networks, says U.S.

The Hindu  

U.S. officials said on Thursday that Russian hackers have targeted the networks of dozens of state and local governments in the United States in recent days, stealing data from at least two servers. The alert describes an onslaught of recent activity from Russian state- The advisory from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity agency functions as a …

Russia, China and Iran dismiss US election hacking claims
4 years, 6 months ago

Russia, China and Iran dismiss US election hacking claims

CNN  

CNN — China, Iran and Russia have dismissed allegations that all three countries have mounted hacking attempts on organizations involved in the 2020 US presidential election. “The activity we are announcing today makes clear that foreign activity groups have stepped up their efforts targeting the 2020 election,” Microsoft said in a post on its website. “Microsoft should not make things …

Russian hackers targeting U.S. campaigns, Microsoft says
4 years, 6 months ago

Russian hackers targeting U.S. campaigns, Microsoft says

Associated Press  

BOSTON — The same Russian military intelligence outfit that hacked the Democrats in 2016 has renewed vigorous U.S. election-related targeting, trying to breach computers at more than 200 organizations including political campaigns and their consultants, Microsoft said Thursday. Although U.S. intelligence officials said last month that the Russians favor President Donald Trump and the Chinese prefer his Democratic challenger, former …

Trump’s two Russias confound coherent US policy
4 years, 8 months ago

Trump’s two Russias confound coherent US policy

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — When it comes to Russia, the Trump administration just can’t seem to make up its mind. Trump’s approach to Russia was at center stage in the impeachment proceedings, when U.S. officials testified that the president demanded political favors from Ukraine in return for military assistance it needed to combat Russian aggression. Mueller, along with the U.S. intelligence community, …

Trump’s two Russias confound coherent US policy
4 years, 8 months ago

Trump’s two Russias confound coherent US policy

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — When it comes to Russia, the Trump administration just can’t seem to make up its mind. Trump’s approach to Russia was at center stage in the impeachment proceedings, when U.S. officials testified that the president demanded political favors from Ukraine in return for military assistance it needed to combat Russian aggression. Mueller, along with the U.S. intelligence community, …

Russia Hacked Ukrainian Company Linked To Trump Impeachment, Security Firm Says
5 years, 2 months ago

Russia Hacked Ukrainian Company Linked To Trump Impeachment, Security Firm Says

NPR  

Russia Hacked Ukrainian Company Linked To Trump Impeachment, Security Firm Says Enlarge this image toggle caption Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters Russian hackers recently targeted the Ukrainian gas company that was at the center of President Trump's impeachment — and they succeeded in gaining access to its email accounts, according to California cybersecurity firm Area 1 Security. "What we've uncovered is …

In the House impeachment drama, Russia still plays big role
5 years, 4 months ago

In the House impeachment drama, Russia still plays big role

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — For all the talk about Ukraine in the House impeachment inquiry, there’s a character standing just off-stage with a dominant role in this tale of international intrigue: Russia. Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to do him a “a favor” and investigate Biden and his son Hunter’s business dealings in Ukraine. A key ally on Capitol Hill, Rep. …

37 times Trump was soft on Russia
5 years, 4 months ago

37 times Trump was soft on Russia

CNN  

Editor’s Note: This story originally published on November 17, 2019. He repeated a Kremlin talking point, saying, “The people of Crimea, from what I’ve heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were.” Trump aides softened GOP platform on Ukraine Ahead of the 2016 Republican National Convention, Trump campaign aides blocked language from the party platform that called for …

Threat to US elections not limited to Russia in 2020
5 years, 4 months ago

Threat to US elections not limited to Russia in 2020

India TV News  

American officials sounding the alarm about foreign efforts to disrupt the 2020 election include multiple countries in that warning. U.S. intelligence agencies reported Russian, Chinese and Iranian influence operations targeting last year’s midterms, and a senior FBI official recently singled out Beijing as a particular source of concern. Any foreign effort to interfere in the 2020 election won’t necessarily mirror …

Trump DENIES that the US is increasing cyber attacks on Russia
5 years, 9 months ago

Trump DENIES that the US is increasing cyber attacks on Russia

Daily Mail  

President Trump was in a Twitter frenzy on Saturday, denying reports that the United States has increased cyber attacks on Russia. 'Do you believe that the Failing New York Times just did a story stating that the United States is substantially increasing Cyber Attacks on Russia,' Trump said in the Saturday tweet thread. Donald Trump took to his Twitter to …

Trump And White House Defend Getting Help From Russia, Falsely Accuse Dems Of Doing It
5 years, 9 months ago

Trump And White House Defend Getting Help From Russia, Falsely Accuse Dems Of Doing It

Huff Post  

YURI KADOBNOV via Getty Images WASHINGTON — Having gotten away with accepting Russian help to win his 2016 election and admitting he would welcome foreign help again in 2020, President Donald Trump on Thursday continued falsely accusing Democrats of those actions. On Wednesday evening, ABC News aired Trump’s statement that he was open to foreign help in his reelection campaign: …

The speech Donald Trump will never give
5 years, 11 months ago

The speech Donald Trump will never give

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Peter Bergen is CNN’s national security analyst, a vice president at New America and a professor of practice at Arizona State University. But I take no joy in the extent to which Russia – a foreign power whose interests are antithetical to those of the United States – has manipulated our sacred election process as laid out so …

The Russia investigation is over, but Russian meddling in elections isn’t
6 years ago

The Russia investigation is over, but Russian meddling in elections isn’t

LA Times  

Russians gather at the grave of Josef Stalin outside the Kremlin in Moscow on March 5, the anniversary of the dictator’s death. “We’re just at the very, very beginning of this reckoning.” President Trump has downplayed or outright denied that Moscow meddled with the election, questioning U.S. intelligence conclusions while standing next to Russian President Vladimir Putin at their summit …

'Most insulting': Donald Trump furious over report on FBI probe into his possible ties with Russia
6 years, 2 months ago

'Most insulting': Donald Trump furious over report on FBI probe into his possible ties with Russia

Firstpost  

Trump tweeted early Saturday that the report showed that the FBI leadership “opened up an investigation on me, for no reason and with no proof” after he had fired Comey. Washington: President Donald Trump on Saturday called “most insulting” a published report that federal law enforcement officials were so concerned about his behavior in the days after he fired James …

Donald Trump reportedly investigated by FBI over fears he had been working for Russia
6 years, 2 months ago

Donald Trump reportedly investigated by FBI over fears he had been working for Russia

ABC  

US law enforcement officials became so concerned by President Donald Trump's behaviour in the days after he fired FBI director James Comey that they began investigating whether he had been working for Russia against US interests, according to a New York Times report. Key points: Mr Trump's lawyer, Rudi Giuliani, said he was unaware of the investigation FBI agents and …

Editorial: Russian interference in the election was worse than we thought
6 years, 3 months ago

Editorial: Russian interference in the election was worse than we thought

LA Times  

It long has been obvious that Russians used social media to meddle in the 2016 U.S. presidential election — not only to sow confusion and exacerbate divisions, but also to elevate the candidate they favored, Donald Trump. One report, by the Computational Propaganda Project at Oxford University and the social media research firm Graphika, demonstrates in granular detail how the …

Midterms 2018: Pentagon launches first cyber operation to fight Russian interference in elections
6 years, 5 months ago

Midterms 2018: Pentagon launches first cyber operation to fight Russian interference in elections

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy US Cyber Command has …

Midterms 2018: Will Russia try to hack the US elections?
6 years, 5 months ago

Midterms 2018: Will Russia try to hack the US elections?

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Most obviously, this was St Petersburg’s infamous “troll farm,” aka the Internet Research Agency, …

US indicts Russian over attempt to interfere in November election
6 years, 5 months ago

US indicts Russian over attempt to interfere in November election

Al Jazeera  

The US government has charged a Russian national with playing a key financial role in a Kremlin-backed plan to conduct “information warfare” against the United States, including to influence next month’s congressional elections. Concord Management and Concord Catering were among the three entities and 13 Russian individuals who were indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office in February in an …

Election apocalypse: Could Russians actually hack the 2018 midterms? It's entirely possible
6 years, 7 months ago

Election apocalypse: Could Russians actually hack the 2018 midterms? It's entirely possible

Salon  

During this year’s 26th annual DEFCON convention, a massive event organized by and for hackers, an 11-year-old girl was able to successfully hack into a ES&S M650 Optical Scan Tabulator, the machine used in Florida elections to tabulate votes, in just 10 minutes. “Is Russia still targeting the U.S., Mr. President?” ABC News reporter Cecilia Vega asked during a press …

Trump is right about collusion (opinion)
6 years, 7 months ago

Trump is right about collusion (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Harry Litman is the former United States attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania and deputy assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice. CNN — We have now gone from months of confident proclamations from President Donald Trump of “NO COLLUSION” to the much meeker “Collusion is not a crime.” Harry Litman Courtesy Harry Litman Indeed, it …

FBI Director Chris Wray Says Russia’s Cyberattacks On U.S. Are ‘Very Active’
6 years, 8 months ago

FBI Director Chris Wray Says Russia’s Cyberattacks On U.S. Are ‘Very Active’

Huff Post  

FBI Director Chris Wray assured the public Wednesday the bureau believes that Russia interfered with the last U.S. presidential election and that the Kremlin is “very active” in its attempts to foster political divisiveness in America. Speaking with NBC’s Lester Holt at the Aspen Security Forum in Aspen, Colorado, Wray said he did not agree with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s …

Donald Trump administration claims US will take 'bold action' to ensure Russia doesn't meddle in American elections 'again'
6 years, 8 months ago

Donald Trump administration claims US will take 'bold action' to ensure Russia doesn't meddle in American elections 'again'

Firstpost  

The Trump administration is working to ensure that Russia does not meddle in American elections as it did in the past, the White House said on Wednesday. Washington: The Trump administration is working to ensure that Russia does not meddle in American elections as it did in the past, the White House said on Wednesday. “The President and his administration …

Trump, Putin in Helsinki: US president's refusal to confront Russia on election meddling leaves Washington unsettled
6 years, 8 months ago

Trump, Putin in Helsinki: US president's refusal to confront Russia on election meddling leaves Washington unsettled

Firstpost  

To outrage in Washington, president Donald Trump has lent weight to Russian denials of meddling in US elections at his inaugural summit with Vladimir Putin, where the pair championed a fresh start in relations between the world’s leading nuclear powers. Helsinki: To outrage in Washington, president Donald Trump has lent weight to Russian denials of meddling in US elections at …

Trump-Putin summit: Russian premier says 'never interfered in US election'; US president calls meddling probe a 'disaster'
6 years, 8 months ago

Trump-Putin summit: Russian premier says 'never interfered in US election'; US president calls meddling probe a 'disaster'

Firstpost  

Clearing the air over what Russian President Vladimir Putin and US president Donald Trump might discuss at Helsinki summit on Monday, Putin on Monday said Moscow had never interfered in the US electoral process during a joint press conference after talks with his US counterpart. Clearing the air over what Russian president Vladimir Putin and US president Donald Trump probably …

Trump says he sees 'no reason' why Russia would want to interfere in 2016 US election
6 years, 8 months ago

Trump says he sees 'no reason' why Russia would want to interfere in 2016 US election

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump has said he sees no reason why Russia …

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