INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Trump refused to criticize Vladimir Putin for meddling in the 2016 election during the Helsinki summit.Washington: The US government on
Thursday accused Russia of carrying out a "pervasive" campaign to influence public opinion and elections, in a public warning just months
before crucial legislative elections."We continue to see a pervasive messaging campaign from Russia to try and weaken and divide the United
States," said Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence.A slew of top US officials including Coats, FBI Director Christopher Wray and
Homeland Security chief Kirstjen Nielsen said they would continue to investigate and prosecute those who were trying to sway US opinion or
carrying out what Wray described as "information warfare.""This is not just an election cycle threat," Wray said
"Our adversaries are trying to undermine our country on a persistent and regular basis, whether its election season or not."The two men
dismissed suggestions that President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly denied Russia helped him get elected, is not taking the issue
seriously.In a letter to Congress, National Security Advisor John Bolton said the administration had taken "extensive, historic action" to
stop the threat.Trump has mulled easing sanctions against Russia
He has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and refused to criticize him for meddling in the 2016 election.(Except for the headline,
this story has not been edited by TheIndianSubcontinent staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
