Aug 29, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Read: Intelligence chief's letter to Congress on election security briefings

Rep. John Ratcliffe, (R-TX), testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May. 5, 2020.

John Ratcliffe on Capitol Hill in May. Photo: Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images

Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has informed congressional committee heads via letter that in-person briefings on election security issues will no longer take place and lawmakers will instead receive written "intelligence products."

The big picture: He said this would safeguard details the Office of the Director of National Intelligence provides Congress, protecting sources, methods "and most sensitive intelligence" from "unauthorized disclosures or misuse," and ensure it's "not misunderstood nor politicized." Democrats said Saturday the move abdicated the ODNI's lawful responsibility to inform Congress and denied Americans the right to know.

Read the full correspondence, via DocumentCloud:

Go deeper: ODNI cancels future election security briefings for Congress

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