Blumenthal calls classified briefing on Russian interference “absolutely chilling”

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D- Conn.) called on the Trump administration to declassify intelligence detailing Russian efforts to influence the 2020 elections, telling MSNBC on Sunday that the classified briefing lawmakers received about the Kremlin’s activities last week was “absolutely chilling.”

The big picture: National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina said in a statement Friday that the Russian government is “using a range of measures” to “denigrate” Joe Biden ahead of the election. China and Iran would prefer that Trump is defeated, according to Evanina.

Driving the news: Blumenthal suggested in a Washington Post op-ed Saturday that Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) investigation into Joe Biden and his son’s activities in Ukraine may be laundering Russian disinformation, citing a report that Johnson had been provided with tapes by a Ukrainian lawmaker whose father was a KGB agent.