Hillary Clinton, in news conference, accuses Russia of Watergate-like political meddling
Hillary Clinton took questions from the news media on Monday in the back of her new campaign plane, which will now begin carrying reporters along with the Democratic presidential nominee. She took some swipes at Russia, which U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies believe is trying to influence and disrupt the U.S. election, and at Republican opponent Donald Trump. Russian President Vladimir "Putin and the team around him certainly believe that there is some benefit to them for doing this," Clinton said.
Clinton compared Russian activity to the bungled 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee's office in the Watergate hotel, which led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974. "This is like Watergate, only in cyber time," she said. "Breaking into the Democratic National Committee either physically or into electronic files to withdraw information to be used for political purposes, it is stunning that we are facing this and especially from a foreign power." Clinton added that "when Putin was asked about it, he could barely muster the energy to deny it, if any of you saw it."
"I think it's quite intriguing that this activity has happened around the time Trump became the nominee," Clinton said, adding that "from early on," Trump has "allied himself with Putin's policies." More telling, she said, "we've never had the nominee of one of our major parties urging the Russians to hack.... I want everyone — Democrat, Republican, Independent — to understand the real threat that this represents." She wouldn't say that Russia wants to tip the election to Trump, but did pull out an old saying in Arkansas: "If you find a turtle on a fence post, it didn’t get there by itself."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Clinton also discussed the FBI report released on Friday summarizing her interview on her use of a private email server as secretary of state. "I went into the State Department understanding classification," Clinton said. "I'd been on the Senate Armed Services Committee for years before I was secretary of state. I take classification seriously. The fact I couldn't remember certain meetings, whether or not they had occurred, doesn't in any way affect the commitment that I had, and still have, to the treatment of classified material."
And if Clinton's cough has you googling her wellness, she also told reporters on the plane that she is "not concerned" about the conspiracy theories about her health, or the tightening polls. Peter Weber
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Magazine interactive crossword - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published