Politics

McConnell: Clapper’s Claim That Republican Leadership Didn’t Care About Russia Meddling Is ‘Laughable’

REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Julia Nista General Assignment Reporter
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shot down Thursday claims made by former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper that Republican leaders did not care about any attempts by the Russians to meddle in the 2016 presidential election.

WATCH:

McConnell commented on the bipartisan meeting with President Trump Thursday surrounding surveillance of his 2016 presidential campaign. As to whether or not Congress should be allowed to know certain material if it is related to the Russia investigation, McConnell said, “Yes, I think occasionally briefing the so-called Gang of 8 is a good idea for the administration. They agreed to do it, and we’re glad they did.”

He also said there was “nothing particularly surprising,” seemingly echoing the Democrats response following the presidential meeting in which Democratic leaders said in a joint statement that their views have not changed. (RELATED: Dems After Bipartisan Meeting: There Was No Spy In Trump Campaign, ‘Nothing Has Changed’)

In a recent book about the Russia investigation, Clapper accused McConnell and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan of not caring about Russian interference in the 2016 election as long as Trump won the election. “It’s almost laughable,” McConnell said of the allegations by Clapper. “That’s an absurd suggestion. Clapper knows better and shouldn’t of written it.” (RELATED: Clapper Defends Spying On Trump Campaign As ‘A Legitimate Activity’)

McConnell also added that he thinks “it would be great if we got to a conclusion and got to a conclusion sometime soon.”

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