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ASPEN, Col.-Stern warnings on Russian interference in US elections that were issued by senior US law enforcement and intelligence officials at a political conference Here so sharply broke White House tamer statements that security veterans said, "We have almost two governments," said John McLaughlin, who served as the CIA's deputy director for the Clinton presidency.
George W. Bush
administrations, said the Aspen Security Forum, which concluded four days of meetings on Saturday. "We have the brain and thumb of the president, with his tweets.Then we have the professionals in the government."
As the administration prepares for another summit with the president
Donald Trump
and the Russian president
Vladimir Poutine,
The more general question for current and former officials was whether contradictory assessments would hamper US efforts to formulate a coherent Russian policy. "Trump for months" signals that Russia will be a prominent political issue with North Korea and trade, "I said
Andrew Weiss,
an expert from Russia at the Carnegie Foundation for International Peace, who served in the Clinton and George H.W. Bush administrations. "But with such obvious cracks within his own team, the Russian policy of his administration is not clear."
The gap between the White House and much of its national security apparatus was exposed at the conference. assisted by current and former officials, legislators, experts and business leaders. It took place as the White House responded to Republican and Democrat concerns that President Trump had missed an opportunity to confront Putin over what intelligence agencies say is Russia's interference in the elections of 2016.
National Intelligence Service Dan Coats said Thursday that the United States should hold Russia for "devastation of our electoral process" while acknowledging that the White House has not yet informed of this that happened when Mr. Trump met alone in Helsinki. with the Russian leader, or even to tell him that another summit meeting with Mr Putin had been set.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Director
Christopher Wray
claimed that Russia continued to conduct "malicious information operations" in the United States and defended the investigation of the special advocate Robert Mueller on the interference of Moscow in the 39, the 2016 presidential election, which Mr. Trump described as "rigged". [19659004 "I do not think special adviser Mueller is on a witch hunt," said Wray, who took office in August after Trump left.
James Comey.
When asked if he had ever threatened to resign because of political pressure, Mr. Wray said, "I am a discreet and discreet man, but that should not be confused with what makes my spine. I will stick to that. "
In addition, the Deputy Attorney General
Rod Rosenstein
"Russian intelligence officers did not stumble over the idea of hacking American computers and displaying misleading messages because they had a free afternoon," said M Rosenstein. "It's what they do every day, not just attacking America but other countries."
These comments contrast with the statements of Mr. Trump, who stated in Helsinki that he had been convinced by the rejection of Mr. Putin's interference. When he returned to Washington, he was ill-voiced, claiming that Russia may not have been the only one to interfere in this interference – an argument disputed by the US government. Coats' claim that Russia was by far the main danger. Mr Coats also said that it would be better if Mr Trump did not meet alone with Mr Putin in the future.
On Saturday, Mr. Coats issued a statement stating that the surprise he expressed Thursday when he told Mr. Trump had invited Mr. Putin to Washington was not intended as a reprimand to Mr. Trump. "My clumsy answer admitted was not intended to be disrespectful or to criticize the president's actions," he said.
But Mr. Coats also noted in his statement that he would continue to provide information "to prevent Russian interference in our upcoming elections", leaving open the question of how Mr. Trump listens to intelligence officials in the approach of another summit.
Not all officials who spoke at the forum were so direct. Secretary of Homeland Security
Kirstjen Nielsen
The interference of Russia was not intended to "favor a political party", but rather to "sow discord". But later, in response to the question of a reporter, she said: "I agree with the evaluation of the Intel community."
United States intelligence agencies have concluded in a 2017 report that Putin ordered a campaign to undermine the faith of the American public in the democratic process while helping Mr. Trump.
"The idea that the President of the United States would give any credibility to a" The Republican Representative of Texas, who chairs the House Committee on Homeland Security, said in an interview. "
"Having said that, I think it's important to recognize the role of the DNI," McCaul added, referring to Coats. "He's not the president's planner – he's here to provide information and advice to the president on demand … I think the best way is always to have better communication within your organization." team. "
Some participants noted that the applause received by the Department of Justice, the FBI and almost as striking as their message
.Rosenstein received a standing ovation prior to his Thursday speech on the issues of Cybersecurity, while Mr. Wray drew applause when he said in his appearance on Wednesday that it was vital to respect the Constitution.Many participants stated that participants were widely perceived by conference participants as a bulwark against the potentially capricious actions of Mr. Trump
"Basically, all these winners from a wide variety of backgrounds have the impression that they are the ones who I defend Roberta Jacobson, who resigned from her post in May as the US ambassador to Mexico after a long career in the State Department, said in an interview.
Wendell Willkie, Former Reagan Official and George HW Bush administrations and the grandson of the Republican presidential candidate who lost to
Franklin roosevelt
in 1940, offered a similar explanation for the audience response.
"There is a current of concern that the international liberal order is now under threat, and there is a bipartisan admiration for the very competent officials who continue to promote American ideals and interests." Said Mr. Willkie.
Write to Michael R. Gordon at [email protected]
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