WASHINGTON — US Attorney General Bill Barr said Monday that Russia was behind the massive hack of US government computer systems, contradicting President Donald Trump’s suggestion that China could be involved. Two days after Trump downplayed what intelligence experts have called the most devastating break in US computer security in years, Barr said he agreed with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s attributing the hack to Moscow. While CISA did not identify the attackers, private security consultants, senior US legislators briefed by intelligence officials, and Pompeo all pinned the blame on Russia. Trump, who over four years has steadfastly avoided criticizing Moscow — particularly its alleged sweeping interference in the 2016 election on his behalf — on Friday again refused to finger Russia in the hacking case. ADVERTISEMENTBarr repeated what he said on December 12, that he saw no significant or systemic fraud that would affect the November election results.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 21, 2020 18:45 UTC