Reince Priebus, the president-elect’s chief of staff, said the Democratic National Committee (DNC) “allowed” Russia to hack it, during an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday.
Priebus’ comments come after the release of a report from the American intelligence community that says Russian President Vladimir Putin directly ordered a multi-faceted effort to influence the U.S. presidential election in favor of Donald Trump. Among the actions taken under Putin’s directive was the hacking of the DNC.
“Yes, we have bad actors around the world. We have had bad actors including the Russians,” Priebus said. “But we also have a problem when we have a major political institution that allows foreign governments into their systems with hardly any defenses or training.”
Priebus, who has served as chairman of the Republican National Committee since 2011, seemed to suggest the DNC deserved to be hacked for having inadequate cyber security. But no matter the level of defense, it doesn’t mean the Russian hacking efforts were legal or ethical. In fact, Priebus’ suggestion is a classic case of victim blaming.
The comments also take a contrasting tone to the viewpoints of some prominent Republicans like Sens. Lindsay Graham (SC) and John McCain (AZ). On Sunday morning, Graham and McCain spoke to Chuck Todd on Meet the Press about the severity of Russian interference in the American election.
This is Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, in @MeetThePress on Friday as Trump received intelligence briefing —-> pic.twitter.com/cIBnQrC8Ct
— Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) January 8, 2017
Trump, himself, also played down the report. The president-elect took to Twitter yesterday to express his thoughts on the American relationship with Russia.
Having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. Only "stupid" people, or fools, would think that it is bad! We…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2017
Trump was mostly dismissive of the report and focused on the fact that Russia did not appear to tamper with voting machines. The Trump administration may do well to take the intelligence report seriously, particularly if he wants to get his cabinet picks approved.
“The more he doesn’t embrace the findings on Russia the more likely he’s going to lose Republican support for [Secretary of State pick] Rex Tillerson,” Chuck Todd told Sunday Today.