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FBI Director Asserts That Russia Intentionally Interfered With Presidential Election Again

Russia is “absolutely intent” on influencing the U.S. presidential election in 2020, says FBI Director Christopher Wray. Wray warned of Russian interference at an appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

Wray’s appearance before the committee has been described as a “preview” of Robert Mueller’s upcoming testimony. After the 2016 election, Mueller spent two years investigating Russian interference and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to sway the election results. Mueller’s report found that the Russians had tried to influence the election with fake social media campaigns, but declined to indict Trump for obstruction of justice or collusion.

Mueller has maintained it’s against precedent to indict a sitting precedent with a crime, and said the report “speaks for itself.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee is chaired by Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and close Trump ally. Graham grilled Wray about how and why the Russians are so invested in influencing the 2020 election.

“Everything we’ve done against Russia has not deterred them enough? All the sanctions, all the talk, they’re still at it?” Graham asked Wray, who was appointed by Donald Trump to head the FBI.

Wray’s answer was decisive: “Yes. My view is until they stop they haven’t been deterred enough.”