Voting, cyber and political experts write letter demanding Russia hacking investigation
A huge group of scholars is refusing to let the sophisticated hacks that marred the U.S. election be forgotten.
Dozens of experts in cybersecurity, defense, elections and authoritarian regimes have signed an open letter calling on members of Congress to investigate reports of hacking by foreign powers in an effort to influence the outcome of the U.S. election. The letter called for a particular focus on Russia's involvement.
"In this case, what is right is simple: our country needs a thorough, public Congressional investigation into the role that foreign powers played in the months leading up to November," the experts wrote. "As representatives of the American people, Congress is best positioned to conduct an objective investigation."
Representatives of the Russian government were in contact with Donald Trump's inner circle during the president-elect's campaign, according to The New York Times, who spoke with a Russian diplomat. The U.S. has also accused Russia of hacking into institutions such as the Democratic National Committee and releasing information stolen in those hacks in order to swing the election. Trump, who has alarmed many U.S. officials with his kind words for Russian President Vladimir Putin, was the candidate clearly preferred by Putin and the Russian government.
"We emphasize that nothing in our collective call for an investigation is meant to question the outcome of the November election," the letter continues. "We simply know that turning a blind eye to such involvement would send a global green light to hackers and others intent on undermining our democratic institutions."
The array of scholars who signed onto the letter already have some support for the investigation they want. As the letter alludes to, Sen. Bob Corker, who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has said Russia "overtly" meddled with the election process in the U.S. The letter signees also mentioned Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has called for an investigation into Russia's involvement in the election.
Rep. Elijah Cummings, the top-ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, wrote a letter to committee chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz last week in which he too called for a similar investigation. Cummings' letter was supported by the House's top Democrat, Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
Trump has so far seemed rather less than bothered about Russia's involvement. Putin sent him a congratulatory telegram on the night of the election, and the two spoke by phone soon after, during which they reportedly agreed that the relationship between Russia and the United States is "unsatisfactory."
Colin is Mashable's US & World Reporter. He previously interned at Foreign Policy magazine and The American Prospect. Colin is a graduate from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. When he's not at Mashable, you can most likely find him eating or playing some kind of sport.
