the way this is written...
The
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), representing 17 intelligence agencies, and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly stated that Russia
hacked the
Democratic National Committee (DNC) and
leaked its documents to
WikiLeaks.
[3] In early January 2017, Director of National Intelligence
James R. Clapper testified before a Senate committee that Russia’s alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign went beyond hacking, and included disinformation and the dissemination of
fake news often promoted on social media.
[4] Six federal agencies have also been investigating possible links between the Kremlin and Trump's associates, including his advisers
Carter Page,
Paul Manafort and
Roger Stone, as well as how money was possibly funneled from Russia into the US to aid Trump's election.
[5][6]
U.S. intelligence agencies assessed that Putin "personally directed" the operation.
[7] CIA Director John Brennan,
FBI Director James Comey and DNI James R. Clapper agreed on the "scope, nature and intent" of Russia's alleged interference to assist Trump.
[8] Several
cybersecurity firms stated that the cyberattacks were committed by Russian intelligence groups
Fancy Bear and
Cozy Bear.
[9] In October 2016,
U.S. President Barack Obama used the
red phone line to directly contact Putin and issue a warning to him regarding the
cyber attacks.
[10] Russian officials have repeatedly denied involvement in any DNC hacks or leaks.
[11][12][13]
Obama ordered a report on foreign interventions in the 2016 elections.
[14] U.S. Senators called for a
bipartisan investigation.
[15] President-elect Donald Trump initially rejected the report, saying that
Democrats were reacting to their election loss,
[16] and attacked the intelligence agencies in a
transition team statement.
[17] Senate Majority Leader Republican
Mitch McConnell expressed confidence in U.S. intelligence and supported a bipartisan investigation,
[18] which was started by the
Senate Intelligence Committee on January 24, 2017.
[19] On December 29, 2016, the U.S. expelled 35 Russian
diplomats, denied access to two Russia-owned compounds, and
broadened existing sanctions on Russian entities and individuals.
[20] Several members of the Trump campaign have had contacts with Russian officials, which are currently being investigated.