For a president-elect who touts America first, Russian hacking poses a problem
Presidents often are tested early, by unexpected crises or provocations by foreign adversaries. President-elect Donald Trumps first test has come even before he is sworn in, and so far, he has responded with denial, equivocation and deflection.
The test has come over Russias brazen intrusion into the U.S. election process through its hacking of the servers at the Democratic National Committee and the email account of John Podesta, Hillary Clintons campaign manager.
Contrary to what Trump said last week, the Russian intrusion was known long before the election. The Washington Posts Ellen Nakashima reported in June that the Russians had penetrated the DNC network. Then on Oct. 7, intelligence officials publicly stated that the hacking had occurred, that the Russians were behind it and that only Russias senior-most officials could have authorized these activities. That was an obvious reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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But if standing up to Russian attempts to interfere with American democracy isnt a foundational principle of an America first policy, what is? Trumps response has suggested a different focus and different philosophy, one that might be described as Trump first, rather than America first. His instincts appear to be aimed at shielding himself.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/for-a-president-elect-that-touts-america-first-russian-hacking-poses-a-problem/2016/12/17/d18bedd4-c46f-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop&utm_term=.e022913848e4