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Richard Burr Praises Expected Trump Order on Election Interference

Confirms Intelligence Committee report on Russian meddling won’t come before November

Intelligence Chairman Richard M. Burr. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Intelligence Chairman Richard M. Burr. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee seemed to confirm Wednesday the existence of a forthcoming executive order to counter efforts of Russia and other foreign adversaries to interfere in U.S. elections.

Sen. Richard M. Burr pointed to the sanctions action during an interview on Fox News.

“Today, once again this administration said we’re not going to let Russia meddle in our elections. We’re going to sanction people. They gave 45 days after the election to report to DHS any interference,” the North Carolina Republican said. “And DHS would seek sanctions against them.”

“The United States government — the whole of government — has taken a very tough stand on Russia,” he said.

Reports citing unnamed sources have indicated the executive order from President Donald Trump is not likely to name Russia.

As for the Intelligence Committee’s own report into what the Russians were doing to interfere with American democracy in 2016, Burr largely echoed recent comments by Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., who said final conclusions aren’t expected before voters go to the polls in November.

“I hope to complete this at some point before the end of the year. It will take probably three to six months to write the final report, but … we’ve been charged with making a determination as to what happened and conveying that with facts to the American people to let them make their minds up,” Burr said. “I still intend to do that.”

Burr again said he did not expect to find evidence of collusion, but said the committee’s interviews are still ongoing.

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