Islam Times - US Democrats portraying Russia’s alleged interference as act of war

Islam Times - Democratic lawmakers are stepping up the United States’ anti-Russia rhetoric over Moscow’s alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election, which yielded President Donald Trump.

In a declassified report released in January, the US intelligence community concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin helped the New York billionaire win the White House, an allegation dismissed both by Moscow and Trump.

The lawmakers, whose candidate, Hillary Clinton, lost the battle in the November 8, 2016 vote, are booting the narrative in the wake of a statement by FBI Director James Comey in regard to an ongoing investigation into Trump-Russia ties.

Comey’s appearance before the House Intelligence Committee for a hearing on Monday yielded the first public confirmation that a probe was underway to detect possible collusion between Trump and Russia.

“I think this attack that we’ve experienced is a form of war, a form of war on our fundamental democratic principles,” Democratic House Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman said during a hearing this week at the House Homeland Security Committee.

She further censured Trump for his “borderline dismissive attitude” in the wake of Russia’s alleged cyberattacks.

During Comey’s hearing, two other Democrats also contributed to the hawkish narrative.

California Democrat, Representative Jackie Speier, called Russia’s alleged interference an act of war, calling for action.

“I actually think that their engagement was an act of war, an act of hybrid warfare, and I think that’s why the American people should be concerned about it,” Speier said.

Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell also called for bipartisan opposition against what he described as “a foreign adversary.”

“This past election, our country was attacked. We were attacked by Russia,” Swalwell said. “I see this as an opportunity for everyone on this committee, Republicans and Democrats, to not look in the rearview window but to look forward and do everything we can to make sure that our country never again allows a foreign adversary to attack us.”

Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland, has also described Russia’s alleged electoral interference as the United States’ “political Pearl Harbor.”

According to a Sunday report by the Hill, the Democratic Party is attempting to portray President Trump as “weak on Russia” while exaggerating the “damage done by Moscow.”