US lawmakers claim Russia ‘tried to hijack US election’

World Today

The Senate Intelligence Committee held its first public hearing focused on Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Experts from the intelligence community offered testimony detailing a wide-ranging Russian program aimed at creating and spread disinformation. 

CGTN’s Jim Spellman reports on the allegations.

“The Kremlin made effective use of its hacking skills to steal and weaponize information and engage in a coordinated effort to damage a particular candidate and to undermine public confidence in our democratic process,” U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) said.

National security experts detailed for lawmakers the extent to which thousands of paid Russian operatives went to create and spread so-called ‘Fake News’ on social media. The experts testified it was designed to disrupt and undermine the 2016 U.S. presidential election. One expert even testified that these hackers pushed fake news conspiracy theories when they know President Trump would be online in an attempt to influence Trump.

Many of the Senators assert that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin personally authorized this alleged operation. Putin denies Russia had anything to do with any election meddling – categorizing the claims as part of America’s domestic political struggle.

Lawmakers have launched several ongoing investigations probing Russia’s role in the U.S. election and any possible coordination with or connection to the Trump campaign. Trump and his associates deny any involvement and say the allegations are merely partisan attacks.