The White House insisted the officials speak on the condition of anonymity — a practice President Trump has condemned. (Reuters)The officials broadly dismissed Trump associates’ contacts with Russia as infrequent and inconsequential. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. The effort also involved senior lawmakers with access to classified intelligence about Russia, including Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the chairmen of the Senate and House intelligence committees. White House officials declined to comment on the administration’s subsequent effort to enlist other government officials and would not agree to allow the identification of the intelligence officials who had spoken to The Post last week.

Source: Washington Post February 25, 2017 00:00 UTC