'No consensus' in intelligence community over Russia bounty on U.S. troops report, White House says.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump had not been briefed on reports that Russia was behind bounty payments to Taliban-linked militants over successful attacks on coalition troops because there were"dissenting opinions" within the U.S. intelligence community over the veracity of the reports, a White House spokeswoman said Monday.
McEnany declined to say who attended the administration's briefing but told reporters White House chief of staff Mark Meadows called Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Sunday night to extend a bipartisan invitation to eight members of relevant committees.
Trump tweeted Sunday night that intelligence officials had"just" informed him they did not deem the report credible and therefore did not brief him or Vice President Mike PenceMcEnany slammed the New York Times for its"irresponsible" decision to publish a report that the president had been briefed, but the paper has stood by its reporting.
The report, later confirmed by multiple news agencies, alleged that a unit of Russia's military intelligence agency – the G.R.U. known for orchestrating assassinations and destabilization efforts against western democracies – was behind the bounties on U.S. troops. Unnamed intelligence officials told the AP they are investigating attacks on U.S. troops in Afghanistan in 2019 to see if there was any evidence connecting them to the Russian bounties.The White House came under pressure after a chorus of lawmakers - both Republican and Democratic - questioned whether the president was kept in the dark or if he declined to act after he was briefed on the intelligence.
Shaheen added:"Russia’s adversarial actions against the United States demand a strong response, not appeasement.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘The Simpsons’ Will No Longer Have White Actors Voice Non-White CharactersThe long-running cartoon 'The Simpsons' will no longer use white actors to portray non-white characters by rachsandl
Read more »
New Numbers Showing Coronavirus Spread Intrude on a White House in DenialWASHINGTON -- In the past week, President Donald Trump hosted an indoor campaign rally for thousands of cheering, unmasked supporters even as a deadly virus spread throughout the country. He began easing up on restrictions that had been in place at the White House since Washington instituted a stay-at-home
Read more »
Justice Dept. announces first felony charges in attempted toppling of Andrew Jackson statue near White HouseThe Justice Department on Saturday announced that four men face felony charges after protesters attempted to tear down a statue of President Andrew Jackson in a park near the White House
Read more »
4 men charged in attack on Jackson statue near White HouseFederal authorities have charged four men in connection with a failed effort last week to pull down the statue of President Andrew Jackson near the White House.
Read more »
Polish president battles for reelection just days after White House visitPolls indicate a tighter than expected race amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »
Four arrested for damage to Andrew Jackson statue near White HouseFour men have been charged in connection with damage to a statue of President Andrew Jackson during protests near the White House, the U.S. Justice Department said on Saturday. The four people, who were from Washington, D.C.; Maryland; Maine and Virginia, were charged with destruction of federal property
Read more »