FBI's Comey reportedly argued against confirming Russian election interference

FBI Director James Comey reportedly disagreed with the government's decision earlier this month to confirm suspicions that Russia was meddling in the U.S. election, a former FBI official told CNBC on Monday, because it was too close to Election Day. "He believed it to be true," the official said, "but was against putting it out before the election."

On Oct. 7, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a joint statement saying the U.S. was "confident" Russia had directed hacks on American political institutions, including the Democratic National Committee, in efforts "intended to interfere with the U.S. election process." The FBI source told CNBC that Comey argued privately against making the disclosure because of the impending election, and ultimately saw to it that the FBI not be named in the statement.

In light of that, Comey's decision to disclose Friday new developments in the investigation of Hillary Clinton's private email server — just 11 days before Election Day — has left some government insiders "perplexed," CNBC reports, citing the official. But the former FBI employee said it was a matter of personal credibility:

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The FBI declined to comment on CNBC's report. Read the whole thing here.