Intel Democrats prepare for possible Trump claims of election meddling

Top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees are preparing for the possibility that President Trump may allege foreign interference to challenge the upcoming midterm elections, CBS News reported.

Recent intelligence assessments show no evidence of foreign manipulation of voting machines or vote counts, according to the lawmakers.

Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Jim Himes have requested that CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton be available by phone on Election Day to verify any claims of foreign interference in real time.

The lawmakers expressed concern that President Trump might use fabricated or selectively presented intelligence to question election results or justify federal intervention, including attempts to seize ballots or voting equipment.

Despite these concerns, Himes stated that meetings with career intelligence officials have given him confidence that analysts will resist pressure to produce false evidence of interference.