Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election
https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/report_volume5.pdf
Having now finished all five volumes of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report, the two volumes of the Special Counsel’s Report and most of the Inspector General’s Report, I can only hope that Congress and the new Biden Administration will follow through on the recommendations and continue to investigate the many as still unanswered questions.
What stands out?
First, Russia’s interference was extensive and extended. Its immediate purpose was defeat Clinton and elect Trump. Its motives were removal of the sanctions from its invasion of Crimea and its perception that the US was interfering in its own internal affairs. Its reach included most of Europe as well as the US.
Second, Trump and his campaign, particularly Manafort, were deeply connected to Russia. We do not yet know most of Trump’s financial connections. He was transparent on many of his moves and motives while others are deeply obscured to this day.
Third, while the US government intelligence agencies were aware of some of the Russian interference from very early on, it did not take the requisite forceful counteraction ‘til very late in the game.
Fourth, the DNC was slow to get a clue of what was happening to its computers and surprisingly hapless once informed.
Fifth, the Trump campaign was woefully unprepared to govern, making many early rookie mistakes due to the combination of inexperience, impulsive behavior and an unwillingness/inability to learn, adjust and follow the law. We need to separate out rookie mistakes from the deep underlying issues involved.
Sixth, there were extensive cover-ups orchestrated by Trump’s attorneys and portions of his Administration and some in Congress.
Lastly, my guess is that other foreign influences were and have been in play for a long time in our electoral contests. Russia was/is not alone in interfering in our elections. We do need to investigate, unearth and fully disclose all of these to counteract the widespread misinformation/disinformation that poisons our domestic debates.
I’ll write up each of these as time permits.
Lucien
12/9/20