WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (UPI) — Donald Trump has mocked U.S. intelligence agencies, citing an alleged delay in a briefing over Russian hacking, but officials said no such setback occurred.
Trump has repeatedly called into question whether Russia directed hacks against the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton‘s campaign to help Trump win the presidency — an assertion alleged by the CIA, the FBI and 15 other intelligence agencies.
“The ‘Intelligence’ briefing on so-called ‘Russian hacking’ was delayed until Friday, perhaps more time needed to build a case. Very strange!” Trump tweeted Tuesday night.
U.S. intelligence officials disputed Trump’s tweet. U.S. officials said Trump would be briefed on the Russian hacking report ordered by President Barack Obama once it was completed and that the meeting was to be held later this week.
The officials said Obama has not yet received a full briefing on the Russian hacking report.
National Security Agency Director Adm. Mike Rogers, FBI Director James Comey, CIA Director John Brennan and National Intelligence Director James Clapper were scheduled to meet with Trump to brief him on the Russian hacking, officials said. Clapper was not scheduled to be in New York City on Tuesday, a U.S. official told CNN, adding that he was perplexed about Trump’s alleged “delay.”
