Report: Russian hacks ‘prioritized’ Dems

The CIA’s conclusion that Russia tried to help Donald Trump win the presidential election was partially based on intelligence that suggested the country’s hacking efforts were disproportionately aimed at the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton, the Washington Post reported Monday evening.  

Officials told the Post that both parties were targeted as part of a “months-long cyber operation” linked to Russia, but noted that Democrats came under a more “sustained and determined online assault.” 

The Republican National Committee’s (RNC) computer systems were probed and possibly penetrated by Russian hackers, according to the Post, but it’s unclear if those efforts were successful. 

{mosads}The Post reported Friday that CIA concluded that Russia’s efforts were meant to elect Trump, not to just disrupt the election. 

Various people have been identified who helped the Russian government leak hacked documents from Democratic sources, including the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Clinton’s campaign chairman, to WikiLeaks, according to the Friday Washington Post report.

On Capitol Hill Monday, Democrats and some Republicans have called for an investigation into the matter. 

Senate Majority Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the Senate Intelligence Committee should take the lead on investigating the CIA’s findings.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said he backs a possible investigation, but rejects it coming from a special panel.