DHS head Nielsen hedges on Russian election meddling

WASHINGTON ― Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen says she has not seen evidence that the Russians meddled in the 2016 election to help elect Trump, countering the U.S. intelligence agencies assessment on the issue.

Intelligence agencies concluded in early 2017 that President Vladimir Putin ordered “an influence campaign” aimed at helping the Trump campaign and harming his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Nielsen said: “I haven’t seen any evidence that the attempts to interfere in our election infrastructure was to favor a particular party.”

And yet Nielsen still says she stands behind the intelligence agencies' assessment that Russia meddled in the election. She added that Russia’s influence operations were aimed at causing chaos on both sides.

Nielsen spoke Thursday at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.

More In Federal Oversight

ULA eyes annual mods to turn rocket stage into space interceptor

The fast-moving vehicle would be highly maneuverable and could be used to tow satellites or for counterspace missions, ULA CEO Tory Bruno told reporters.

Army, Navy conduct key hypersonic missile test

The successful tests brings both services closer to fielding the long-awaited system.

New antennas for the Satellite Control Network are coming next year

The system, which is dispersed around the world, provides critical launch support, satellite tracking and control, and emergency assistance for spacecraft.

Trump’s NASA pick says military will inevitably put troops in space

Billionaire and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman said increased human activity in space will require military protection.

Space Force’s first Silent Barker satellites to go live in early 2025

The Space Force expects the space domain awareness satellites to be fully operational by 2026.