Thread by @jseldin

BREAKING: Congressional official confirms to @VOANews that @ODNIgov has informed lawmakers it will no longer be giving them in-person briefings on election security... this with just over two months until #Election2020

NEW: @ODNIgov official tells @VOANews it is changing the way its briefs lawmakers on #Election2020 security due to concern about "unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information following recent briefings"

"We are committed to meeting our statutory responsibilities & keeping Congress fully & currently informed" per @ODNIgov official, adding information will be shared primarily "through written finished intelligence products"

Using written, finished intel products will provide more clarity, per @ODNIgov official, and "protect sensitive intelligence from unauthorized disclosures"

NEW: @SpeakerPelosi, @RepAdamSchiff on "cancellation of all election security briefings for the Congress" by @ODNIgov:

"This is a shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility...a betrayal of the public’s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy"

"This is shameful...demonstrates that the Trump Administration is engaged in a politicized effort to withhold election-related information from Congress &the American people at the precise moment that greater transparency &accountability is required"-@SpeakerPelosi @RepAdamSchiff

.@SpeakerPelosi @RepAdamSchiff also charge @POTUS administration, @DNI_Ratcliffe of seeking to promote a "false narrative" w/#Russia #China #Iran & #Election2020

"Only one country – Russia – is actively undertaking a range of measures to undermine the presidential election"

NEW: Copy of the letter from @DNI_Ratcliffe that went out to Senate Intelligence Committee, dated August 28

Change meant to make sure intel on #Election2020 security "is not misunderstood nor politicized" per Ratcliffe

"It will also better protect our sources & methods & most sensitive intelligence from additional unauthorized disclosures or misuse" writes @DNI_Ratcliffe in letter to lawmakers

The letter was also sent to:

- House Intelligence Committee
- House/Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense
- @senatemajldr
- @SenSchumer
- @SpeakerPelosi
- @GOPLeader

While the letters were stamped with the date "AUG 28 2020", I'm told they were being sent out today...

Response from Senate Democratic Leader @SenSchumer on @DNI_Ratcliffe decision to end in-person briefings for lawmakers on #Election2020 security

"DNI Ratcliffe has made clear he’s in the job only to protect Trump from democracy, not democracy from Trump" per Schumer

* Note: Just realized the images that attached to the previous tweet are of the copy of the letter that went to the House Intelligence Committee (Schiff & Nunes), not the Senate Intelligence Committee, though the text of the letters is the same