Intel Report on Russian Election Meddling Released and More You Missed in Politics Today
Join us and tell your reps how you feel!
It’s difficult to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in this country and to break through the clutter, so we’re here to make it easier. Here’s what we at Countable are reading today:
1. "U.S. intelligence agencies: Putin ordered intervention in presidential election"
"Russia carried out a comprehensive cybercampaign to upend the U.S. presidential election, an operation that was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin and “aspired to help" elect Donald Trump by discrediting his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in a report released Friday.”
"The report depicts Russian interference as unprecedented in scale, saying that Moscow’s assault represented “a significant escalation in directness, level of activity, and scope of effort" beyond previous election-related espionage.”
Read more at The Washington Post.
2. "Trump to order anti-hacking plan within 90 days of taking office: statement"
"President-elect Donald Trump said he had a "constructive" meeting with members of U.S. intelligence agencies on Friday and plans to appoint a team to give him a plan to combat cyber attacks within 90 days of taking office on Jan. 20."
""While Russia, China, other countries, outside groups and people are consistently trying to break through the cyber infrastructure of our governmental institutions, businesses and organizations including the Democrat National Committee, there was absolutely no effect on the outcome of the election including the fact that there was no tampering whatsoever with voting machines," Trump said in a statement after the briefing from spy chiefs who have accused Russia of hacking to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election."
Read more at Reuters.
3. "House Republicans revive obscure rule that allows them to slash the pay of individual federal workers to $1"
"House Republicans this week reinstated an arcane procedural rule that enables lawmakers to reach deep into the budget and slash the pay of an individual federal worker — down to $1 — a move that threatens to upend the 130-year-old civil service."
"The Holman Rule, named after an Indiana congressman who devised it in 1876, empowers any member of Congress to propose amending an appropriations bill to single out a government employee or cut a specific program."
Read more at The Washington Post.
4. "Fort Lauderdale Shooting: Five Killed at Airport Shooting, Gunman ID’d as Esteban Santiago"
"A lone shooter opened fire Friday afternoon at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida, killing five people and wounding eight others before he was taken into custody, the Broward County sheriff said."
"The suspected gunman appeared to be shooting randomly into a crowd as panicked travelers took cover behind chairs — and he only stopped when his bullets ran out, according to witnesses. Multiple senior law enforcement sources identified the suspect as New Jersey born Esteban Santiago, 26, and said he had a military ID on him."
Read more at NBC News.
5. "Congress Certifies Electoral Votes Amid Protests by Democrats"
"Today the ballots of Electoral College voters were certified and tallied before a joint session of Congress overseen by Vice President Joe Biden, and the official winner of the 2016 presidential election was declared. While the count ultimately confirmed that President-elect Donald Trump won the election, the process does allow for members of Congress to object to individual electoral votes which added some intrigue to an otherwise straightforward process."
Read more at Countable.
— Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Kremlin / Public Domain)
The Latest
-
SCOTUS Hears Trump Immunity Case, Appearing SkepticalUpdated Apr. 26, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EST The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today over whether Trump is immune from prosecution read more... States
-
IT: 🖋️ Biden signs a bill approving military aid and creating hurdles TikTok, and... Should the U.S. call for a ceasefire?Welcome to Thursday, April 25th, readers near and far... Biden signed a bill that approved aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, read more...
-
Biden Signs Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan Aid, and TikTok BillWhat’s the story? President Joe Biden signed a bill that approved aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, which could lead to a ban read more... Taiwan
-
Protests Grow Nationwide as Students Demand Divestment From IsraelUpdated Apr. 23, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EST Protests are growing on college campuses across the country, inspired by the read more... Advocacy