CNN's Zachary Cohen covered a hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee in which US Cyber Command Chief Admiral Mike Rogers testified. Sen. Jack Reed asked him if he has been directed by the President, through the Defense Secretary, to confront Russian election hacking operations where they originate.
Adm. Rogers answered, "No, I have not." Rogers clarified, however, that -- although he has not been granted authority by the president to disrupt Russian hacking operations where they originate -- it is not true that the US has just been "sitting back and waiting."
Rogers explained that he has tried to work within the authority he maintains as a commander. Nevertheless, he admitted that what has been done so far "has not changed the calculus or the behavior on behalf of the Russians. . . . They have not paid a price that is sufficient to change their behavior."
Adm. Rogers answered, "No, I have not." Rogers clarified, however, that -- although he has not been granted authority by the president to disrupt Russian hacking operations where they originate -- it is not true that the US has just been "sitting back and waiting."
Rogers explained that he has tried to work within the authority he maintains as a commander. Nevertheless, he admitted that what has been done so far "has not changed the calculus or the behavior on behalf of the Russians. . . . They have not paid a price that is sufficient to change their behavior."
Well, yes, that is the point. By a near unanimous vote, Congress passed pretty stiff sanctions on Russians for the election meddling, but so far the president has refused to implement that law in that he has refused to impose the sanctions Congress authorized.
Nor, we now know, has he authorized our Cyber Command to take any action against Russia's continuing cyber activity against us.
Do we need any further proof that Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, is under some sort of control -- blackmail or otherwise -- by the Russians, to the detriment of the American people and our government?
* * *
In a related story last week, the term of the current chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Matthew Masterson, is coming to an end. He is the one who has been working most actively with states to be proactive in fixing their election systems to prevent Russian interference in the 2018 midterm election, just about 8 months from now. Wouldn't this be a good time for Paul Ryan to recommend that he have a second term, and then for President Trump to take that advise and re-appoint Mr. Masterson?
It's not like Masterson is a dud, and they've got some hot-shot replacement that's going to come in and magically solve all the problems and keep the Russians out. In truth, everyone thought Masterson was doing a good job, and he is particularly well-liked by the state elections boards. And no names have even been floated as a replacement.
So, yes, his reappointment makes sense; but it's not going to happen. Sources in Ryan's office have declined to give any reason, but it is clear that he is being passed over for a second term, although he will remain on the commission, which was established by Congress in 2002 to assist states in complying with federal election standards.
It also remains one of the few resources to assist states in preparing to resist further Russian hacking attempts. By the time a replacement is chosen, gets confirmed by the Senate, and gets on the job -- the election will be well nigh upon us. Crucial months will have been wasted.
Trump has the final call. Don't be surprised when the 2018 elections have some quirks we failed to anticipate and won't like.
Ralph
It's not like Masterson is a dud, and they've got some hot-shot replacement that's going to come in and magically solve all the problems and keep the Russians out. In truth, everyone thought Masterson was doing a good job, and he is particularly well-liked by the state elections boards. And no names have even been floated as a replacement.
So, yes, his reappointment makes sense; but it's not going to happen. Sources in Ryan's office have declined to give any reason, but it is clear that he is being passed over for a second term, although he will remain on the commission, which was established by Congress in 2002 to assist states in complying with federal election standards.
It also remains one of the few resources to assist states in preparing to resist further Russian hacking attempts. By the time a replacement is chosen, gets confirmed by the Senate, and gets on the job -- the election will be well nigh upon us. Crucial months will have been wasted.
Trump has the final call. Don't be surprised when the 2018 elections have some quirks we failed to anticipate and won't like.
Ralph
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