Whistleblower’s claims on foreign interference fit pattern

A whistleblower’s allegation that he was pressured to suppress intelligence about Russian election interference is the latest in a series of similar accounts involving former Trump administration officials, raising concerns the White House risks undercutting efforts to stop such intrusions if it plays down the seriousness of the problem.

Senior Trump administration officials have been eager to focus more on China in discussing election interference, asserting that Beijing is the more potent danger. Though intelligence officials do say China is a major espionage concern, there is also bipartisan consensus, including in a Republicanled Senate report, that Russia directly interfered in 2016 with the goal of helping Donald Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

This year, intelligence officials say, Russia is working to denigrate Democratic nominee Joe Biden.