Trump Adviser Thinks Russia Hacked Election

He suspects president-elect is 'playing the media'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 3, 2017 7:05 AM CST
Trump Adviser Thinks Russia Hacked Election
Trump says he knows "things other people don't know" about the Russian hacking allegations.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Senior Donald Trump adviser James Woolsey says that despite the president-elect's skepticism, he believes Russian hackers really were involved in election-related skulduggery. "I think the Russians were in there, but it doesn't mean other people weren't, too," Woolsey tells CNN. "It's often not foolproof to say who it is because it is possible and sometimes easy to hide your tracks. There's lots of tricks." Woolsey, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations and was CIA director under Bill Clinton, admitted that Trump is an " expert in weaving around" issues like this, and there is a chance that he could just be playing the media with claims to "know things that other people don't know" about the hacking allegations. In other developments:

  • Sean Spicer, the incoming White House press secretary, is among Trump staffers warning against "jumping to conclusions" on Russian hacking before a final report is released later this week, calling it "irresponsible." "There is zero evidence that they influenced the election," he told Fox News on Monday.

  • Trump has promised to divulge what he knows about the hacking allegations on Tuesday or Wednesday, reports the New York Times, which notes that he has previously described suggestions Russia tried to sway the election as "ridiculous."
  • Official sources tell CNN that the investigation ordered by the Obama administration has uncovered proof of Moscow's involvement including "digital fingerprints" from specific keyboards that have been traced to the Russian government.
  • Sources tell CBS News that evidence of more attempted Russian cyberattacks has emerged in recent days, after the Obama administration revealed some of the tools used by alleged Russian hacking units.
  • Reuters reports that John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has scheduled a hearing on cyberthreats for Thursday, just two days after the new Congress takes office.
(More Russian hackers stories.)

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