Trump stuns ex-CIA boss with Russian hack denial
by Jose Pagliery @Jose_Pagliery
December 9, 2016: 2:13 PM ET
"Wow." That's a former CIA director's reaction to President-elect Trump's refusal to believe that Russian hackers tried to influence the American election.
President Obama this week ordered U.S. intelligence agencies to produce a "full review" into claims of Russian hacking, including intelligence officials' conclusions that Russian hackers stole electronic communications of Democrats in an attempt "to interfere with the U.S. election."
On Wednesday, Time Magazine quoted Trump saying: "I don't believe they interfered... it could be Russia. And it could be China. And it could be some guy in his home in New Jersey."
Retired General Michael Hayden talked about Trump's refusal accept the intelligence conclusion at a private forum in Manhattan Wednesday evening.
"To have the president-elect of the United States simply reject the fact-based narrative that the intelligence community puts together because it conflicts with his a priori assumptions. Wow," he said.
"The data matters," Hayden said. "He continues to reject the Russians did it... and claims that it was politicized intelligence."
Hayden pointed out that the current director of national intelligence, James Clapper, cited "high confidence" when he blamed Russia for the hacks. That level of certainty is rare, Hayden said.
Hayden was director of the U.S. National Security Agency during the lead-up to the Iraq War. He later served as head of the CIA.
Despite Trump's skeptical stance on Russia hacking the Democrats, the general had some suggestions for next president to retaliate against Russia.
more:
http://money.cnn.com/2016/12/09/technology/trump-russia-hackers-cia/index.html?iid=ob_homepage_tech_pool
DO SOMETHING!
| 
