REPORT: Putin Told Hackers Where To Leak Emails (TWEET/VIDEO)

NBC reported late Wednesday night that top-level U.S. intelligence officials believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin was personally involved in the Russian scheme to hack the Democratic National Committee’s emails.

The officials told NBC that they were “highly confident” in the accuracy of their information.

Putin’s Role

According to NBC, Putin directed which information should be leaked and who should receive it. The officials told NBC that they obtained this new information:

“…From diplomatic sources and spies working for U.S. allies.”

Putin’s Motives

Why would Vladimir Putin want to spread leaked information from the Democratic campaign? First, according to Michael McFaul, who was the American ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014, Putin has had a vendetta against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ever since she “raised concerns” about the 2011 Russian parliamentary elections.

Apparently, the effort grew to include discrediting American democracy generally, and its leadership role with its allies. Putin also likes President-elect Donald Trump’s attitude toward Russia.

Not all U.S. intelligence agencies believe that the Russian hack was intended to elect Donald Trump. What is more, no one was commenting yet. But the additional information appears to corroborate the CIA’s theory that the Russians wanted to help Trump win the election.

How Will The U.S. Respond?

With what appears to be new, stronger evidence that Russia indeed hacked the DNC and leaked the information for the purpose of electing Trump, it is possible that the Obama administration may feel pressured to act. It’s not clear what can be done. The Russians already know about Putin’s corruption, the wealth he has amassed as president, and the allegations that he ordered murders.

Therefore, NBC’s sources did not believe there was much the U.S. could do to embarrass Putin.

Meanwhile,Raw Story reports that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has scheduled a closed briefing and hearings on the issue for next month.

Trump Weighs In

Not surprisingly, Trump responded to this news on Twitter.

If Russia, or some other entity, was hacking, why did the White House wait so long to act? Why did they only complain after Hillary lost?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2016

He continues to claim that the allegations of Russian hacking are ridiculous and attribute the story to sour grapes over losing the election.

Featured Image: Screenshot Via YouTube Video.