Following intelligence briefing, Trump clarifies Russian hacking had 'absolutely no effect on the outcome of the election'


President-elect Donald Trump met with the heads of the CIA and FBI and the director of national intelligence on Friday to discuss a 50-page classified report about the Russian hacking last year, which Trump had accused of being a "political witch hunt" earlier on Friday. Trump has long been dismissive of reports pinning the hacks of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign chair John Podesta on Russia, but he called the meeting "constructive" in a statement:
"While Russia, China, and other countries and outside groups are consistently trying to break through the cyber infrastructure of our governmental institutions, businesses, and organizations … there was absolutely no effect on the outcome of the election including the fact that there was no tampering whatsoever with voting machines," Trump said, leaving it unclear if he now firmly agrees that Russia was behind the attack.
Trump added that he plans to "appoint a team to give me a plan [to combat cyberattacks] within 90 days of taking office," but that "the methods, tools, and tactics … should not be a public discussion."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
After Israel's brazen Iran attack, what's next for the region and the world?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION After decades of saber-rattling, Israel's aerial assault on Iranian military targets has pushed the Middle East to the brink of all-out war
-
7 touring theater productions that are out to bring the joy
The Week Recommends 'Hamilton' and 'Wicked' never die, and neither does ABBA
-
College grads are seeking their first jobs. Is AI in the way?
In The Spotlight Unemployment is rising for young professionals
-
Trump's LA deployment in limbo after court rulings
Speed Read Judge Breyer ruled that Trump's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles was an 'illegal' overreach. But a federal appellate court halted the ruling.
-
Marines, National Guard in LA can detain Americans
speed read The troops have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration raids
-
Trump vows 'very big force' against parade protesters
Speed Read The parade, which will shut down much of the capital, will celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday
-
Smithsonian asserts its autonomy from Trump
speed read The DC institution defied Trump's firing of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet
-
Trump sends Marines to LA, backs Newsom arrest
speed read California Gov. Gavin Newsom is filing lawsuits in response to Trump's escalation of the federal response to ICE protests
-
Trump foists National Guard on unwilling California
speed read Protests erupted over ICE immigration raids in LA county
-
Supreme Court lowers bar in discrimination cases
speed read The court ruled in favor of a white woman who claimed she lost two deserved promotions to gay employees
-
Trump-Musk relationship implodes in taunts, threats
speed read Musk said Trump's multitrillion bill would cause a recession and accused the president of involvement with Jeffrey Epstein