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AP18:123

For Immediate Release
July 26, 2018
Contact:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla Statement Ahead of Trump NSC Meeting on Election Security

SACRAMENTO -California Secretary of State Alex Padilla issued the following statement after reports that President Trump will chair a National Security Council meeting on election security tomorrow.

“Before taking office, then-President Elect Trump received initial intelligence briefings about Russia’s interference in the 2016 Presidential Election—and yet he has continued to derail efforts to defend our democracy. Trump has zero credibility to lead an election security discussion until he unequivocally acknowledges Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and takes decisive action to hold them accountable and prevent another attack. If his shameful performance in Helsinki is an indicator as to how he plans to run a National Security Council meeting on election cyber security, then all Americans should be deeply concerned.”

“Trump must appoint a respected and experienced Election Security Coordinator within the Executive Office of the President immediately, push for additional funding to help states fortify election systems, and take firm action to hold the Russian government accountable for their ongoing interference in our electoral process.”

“I fear that tomorrow’s National Security Council meeting will turn into yet another stage for Trump to obfuscate Russia’s attack on our elections. Addressing the very real threats to our elections requires clear and consistent leadership from the White House. The intelligence is clear and compelling — the threats to our democracy from Russia and others continue. State and local election officials understand this. The intelligence community understands this. The American people understand this. When will the President stand up for American democracy?”

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