Russia aids Trump’s reelection, officials say

WASHINGTON — Intelligence officials say Russia is interfering with the 2020 election to try to help President Trump get reelected, the New York Times reported Thursday.

The news article said intelligence officials told lawmakers about the interference in a Feb. 13 closed-door briefing to the House Intelligence Committee. It said the disclosure angered Trump, who complained that Democrats would use the information against him. He berated the outgoing director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, the next day.

The article attributed the report to five unidentified people familiar with the matter. The AP could not immediately confirm the account.

U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election through social media campaigns and stealing and distributing emails from Democratic accounts. They say Russia was trying to boost Trump’s campaign and add chaos to the American political process.

Trump allies challenged the intelligence director’s chief election official, Shelby Pierson, who delivered the conclusions in the House briefing, saying the president has been tough on Russia, the Times reported.

Trump has frequently spoken warmly of Russian President Vladimir Putin and withdrawn troops from areas, such as Syria, where Moscow could fill the vacuum. He delayed military aid last year to Ukraine, a Russian adversary — a decision that was at the core of his impeachment.

The Times said the president was angry that the House briefing was delivered before the committee’s chairman, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), who led the impeachment proceedings.