In-person briefings to Congress on election interference over

WASHINGTON — Senior intelligence officials will no longer brief Congress in person on foreign interference in the 2020 election. Instead, they will inform lawmakers of threats in writing, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said Saturday.

The decision, made with the assent of Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, arose out of concerns that briefings to lawmakers have resulted in leaks of classified information, an ODNI official said.

But the change threatens to undermine the intelligence community’s pledge to be transparent with Congress and the public at a time when three foreign adversaries, including Russia, are seeking to influence the U.S. political process.

“I believe this approach helps ensure ... that the information ODNI provides the Congress ... is not misunderstood or politicized,” Ratcliffe wrote in letters to congressional leadership, including the chairmen and vice chairmen of the House and Senate intelligence panels.

“It will also better protect our sources and methods and most sensitive intelligence from additional unauthorized disclosures or misuse,” he wrote.

The development was first reported by CNN.

Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, immediately cried foul.

“This is a shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility to keep the Congress currently informed and a betrayal of the public’s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy,” she said in a joint statement with Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who chairs the House Intelligence Committee.

In a briefing Saturday, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows defended the decision.

“It really comes down to one simple thing: The last time they gave briefings, a few members went out and talked to the press and disclosed information they shouldn’t have,” Meadows said, adding that the written briefings “will make sure there are proper tools for oversight” but don’t “jeopardize sources and methods for the intel we get.”

The move follows a statement this month by William Evanina, the top counterintelligence official who had been leading the in-person briefings, that Russia is “using a range of measures” to interfere in the election.