Trump: Intel briefing on ‘so-called’ Russian hacks pushed back

Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday night that a planned intelligence briefing on Russian hacking, previously expected to take place early this week, was pushed back to Friday.

The president-elect insinuated that the meeting was delayed because intelligence agencies don’t have enough evidence to prove Russia’s involvement.

“The ‘Intelligence’ briefing on so-called ‘Russian hacking’ was delayed until Friday, perhaps more time needed to build a case. Very strange!” Trump tweeted.

The “Intelligence” briefing on so-called “Russian hacking” was delayed until Friday, perhaps more time needed to build a case. Very strange!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2017

A senior intelligence official told NBC News that the meeting was always scheduled for Friday.

On New Years Eve, Trump talked about his doubts that hacks of Democrats and Democratic Party organizations were an attempt by Russia to influence the presidential election, telling pool reporters, “I just want them to be sure, because it’s a pretty serious charge, and I want them to be sure.”

“If you look at the weapons of mass destruction, that was a disaster, and they were wrong. And so I want them to be sure,” he continued.

{mosads}President Obama has ordered a full intelligence report on Russian hacking of political groups and individuals. Last week, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security released a 13-page report detailing how they believe Russian hackers breached the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. 

Trump announced on Friday that he would take an intelligence briefing to discuss the latest findings on Russian hacks, after the White House issued sanctions against Russia, expelled 35 Russian officials and shuttered two sites believed to be used for Russian intelligence purposes.

Trump has reportedly not been taking the daily briefings traditional for a president-elect, previously saying that he’s a “smart person” and doesn’t need to be briefed every day unless situations change.

Trump’s team has said it takes hacking and election interference seriously but that it is still uncertain about Russia’s role in the hacking. 

“I think it’s unfair if they don’t know. And I know a lot about hacking. And hacking is a very hard thing to prove. So it could be somebody else,” Trump said last week.

“I also know things that other people don’t know, and so they cannot be sure of the situation,” Trump responded when asked why he doubts intelligence reports of Russian hacking, according to a pool reporter.

When asked what Trump knows that other people don’t know, Trump responded, “You’ll find out on Tuesday or Wednesday.”