Post

NEW from me: The top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees say they are operating under the presumption that President Trump and his allies will allege fraud related to this year's midterms in order to justify election interference.

Eric McDaniel | NPR

@ericm.cd

"We start with the premise that the president is going to do that. It would be irresponsible not to, speaking as somebody who was in the chamber on January 6, 2021," said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn.

Eric McDaniel | NPR

@ericm.cd

"We're making the assumption that the president is not going to accept the results of what looks to be a very challenging election for him and his party," Himes said.

21/10/26, 8:06 pm0 reposts4 likes

Eric McDaniel | NPR

@ericm.cd

Speaking alongside Himes on Wednesday, Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that one way the president could do that: claiming foreign interference in the voting process.

Eric McDaniel | NPR

@ericm.cd

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Eric McDaniel | NPR

@ericm.cd

Himes and Warner are members of the Gang of Eight, senior lawmakers who oversee the nation's spy agencies and receive confidential briefings.

Eric McDaniel | NPR

@ericm.cd

In a briefing for reporters, Warner and Himes said they have made clear to Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton and other intelligence leaders that they must be immediately reachable by phone on and after Election Day in the event that Trump alleges foreign interference in the election.