Senate Intelligence Committee On Trump-Russia: ‘This Isn’t Fake News–This Actually Happened To Us’ (VIDEO)

Thursday marks the first day of hearings by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and with the House Intelligence Committee imploding thanks to the highly suspicious actions of chairman Devin Nunes, may wind up being the only chance we have of getting to the truth regarding how the Russians interfered in the 2016 election.

Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the committee, let it be known with his opening statement that the committee would follow the evidence where it led, laying out the case he and the committee would be exploring, including the use of “fake news” and “bots” to spread disinformation:

“This fake news and disinformation was then hyped by the American media echo chamber and our own social media networks to reach and potentially influence millions of Americans. This is not innuendo or false allegations. This is not fake news — this is actually what happened to us.”

Warner also addressed the threat from Russia:

“This information is not about whether you have a ‘D’ or an ‘R’ next to your name. It is not about re-litigating last falls’ election. It is about clearly understanding and responding to this very real threat.”

Consider, Warner said, that the very same thing could happen again with 2018 midterm elections or the 2020 general election:

“There is nothing to stop them from doing this again in 2018, for those of you who are up (for re-election), or in 2020, as Americans again go back to the polls.”

The Virginia Senator also wondered aloud why Trump hadn’t been more eager to get to the bottom of the possible collusion with Russia if he’s as innocent as he asserts he is:

“I would hope that the president is as anxious as we are to get to the bottom of what happened, but I have to say editorially that the president’s recent conduct, with his wild and uncorroborated accusations about wiretapping and his inappropriate and unjustified attacks on America’s hardworking intelligence professionals, does give me grave concern.”

It’s a concern shared by a majority of Americans–66 percent–who also want to see an independent commission to investigate the 2016 election. But according to the administration, there’s nothing to investigate. That within itself speaks volumes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq2PCikGX_Q

Featured Image Via C-SPAN Screengrab