In a likely unexpected and unwanted revelation (from the network’s perspective) about "Protecting the Election"
Wednesday, U.S. National Counterintelligence & Security Center director William Evanina warned NBC Nightly News that foreign adversaries such as “Iran, China, and Russia” were some of the forces “enhancing and exacerbating protests on the West Coast” in recent months. But that information went unexplored as chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel chose to hone in on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Are you seeing any efforts ramping up from Russia or China to try and sway the election one way or the other that Americans should be wary of,” Engel asked Evanina at the top of the segment.
Evanina was confident that the integrity of the election was secure from those foreign adversaries but was concerned about their misinformation campaigns:
We're very confident that our election infrastructure and posture is very resilient. We're not worried about changing votes at scale, but we are worried about influence of the American voter and the ability of the American voter to understand where they should get real information, especially when they're voting, how to vote, where to vote, be patient when you vote, be prepared.
“Bill Evanina says China wants Biden to win, while Russia prefers Trump,” Engel explained. He then prompted America’s top “spy hunter” to whether or not China was involved in the same kind of disinformation campaign as Russia. It was a common tactic by the liberal media to dismiss claims about China as a Trump White House talking point.
Evanina dropped the facts on NBC with not only China putting out misinformation but Iran has as well. He also let his interviewer know about their influence on the leftist “protests” happening on the West Coast:
Yeah, they all are. And I would throw Iran in there as well. Vladimir Putin, at the end of the day, wants our country to eat itself. He wants mass chaos here in the U.S. As does China but not from an economic perspective. We see all three countries -- Iran, China, and Russia -- all engaged in enhancing and exacerbating protests on the West Coast.
But Engel wasn’t interested in pursuing that revelation. Instead, he honed in on Putin and wanted to give him a “W.” “You said Vladimir Putin wants chaos in the United States, turmoil. Just go outside. Did he win,” Engel asked.
“I think we right now are helping him facilitate getting him to smile every day,” Evanina cautioned. Adding: “The most important thing we could do this November and currently now is vote, and show Vladimir Putin and XI Jinping and the ayatollah that we make the determination who our elected officials are, period.”
Engel’s concluded by noting: “Evanina said foreign adversaries are also trying to dig up unflattering information about candidates, campaigns, and prominent Americans” and “The best solution he said is for voters to try not to be distracted by all the noise because it may be put there on purpose.”
But, all things considered, which groups in America were whipping up emotions to cause the country to “eat itself?” The liberal media and their non-stop hatred for President Trump and Republicans.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
NBC Nightly News
October 7, 2020
7:21:47 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: With 27 days until the election, America's top spy hunter is concerned about foreign efforts to influence the vote. He spoke out at a rare interview with our Richard Engel.
[Cuts to video]
RICHARD ENGEL: Are you seeing any efforts ramping up from Russia or China to try and sway the election one way or the other that Americans should be wary of?
WILLIAM EVANINA (U.S. National Counterintelligence & Security Center, director): We're very confident that our election infrastructure and posture is very resilient. We're not worried about changing votes at scale, but we are worried about influence of the American voter and the ability of the American voter to understand where they should get real information, especially when they're voting, how to vote, where to vote, be patient when you vote, be prepared.
ENGEL: Bill Evanina says China wants Biden to win, while Russia prefers Trump.
Is Russia putting out disinformation to help get President Trump elected? And is China actively engaging in the disinformation campaign to help Vice President Biden?
EVANINA: Yeah, they all are. And I would throw Iran in there as well. Vladimir Putin, at the end of the day, wants our country to eat itself. He wants mass chaos here in the U.S. As does China but not from an economic perspective. We see all three countries -- Iran, China, and Russia -- all engaged in enhancing and exacerbating protests on the West Coast.
ENGEL: You said Vladimir Putin wants chaos in the United States, turmoil. Just go outside. Did he win?
EVANINA: I think we right now are helping him facilitate getting him to smile every day. The most important thing we could do this November and currently now is vote, and show Vladimir Putin and XI Jinping and the ayatollah that we make the determination who our elected officials are, period.
[Cuts back to live]
ENGEL: Evanina said foreign adversaries are also trying to dig up unflattering information about candidates, campaigns, and prominent Americans. The best solution he said is for voters to try not to be distracted by all the noise because it may be put there on purpose. Lester?
HOLT: Richard Engel, thanks.
