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February 20, 2020

Chairman Thompson Reacts to Revelation that Acting DNI Removed for Informing Congress of Russian Meddling in 2020 Election

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement in response to revelations that the Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire has been removed after he presented Congress with evidence of Russian meddling in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election in support of President Trump:

“The President has been in denial about foreign election interference for three years because his ego cannot accept that Russia interfered on his behalf. From joking about foreign interference with Putin to today installing an unqualified crony who belittles the threat of election interference as Acting DNI, the President puts ego above country.  By firing Acting DNI Maguire because his staff provided the candid conclusions of the Intelligence Community to Congress regarding Russian meddling in the 2020 Presidential election, the President is not only refusing to defend against foreign interference, he’s inviting it.

“This behavior is even more disturbing in light of his actions earlier in the week - from commuting the sentence for an official who tried to sell a Senate seat to pardoning a major political contributor to verbally absolving a political crony who lied to Congress - the President had made clear that he holds no regard for the rule of law or our system of government.  It is frightening. Americans deserve better.”

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