The Director of National Intelligence announced he would no longer brief Congress in person leading up to the November election, only provide written updates. The Democratic leadership replied with consternation, “This is a shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility to keep the Congress currently informed, and a betrayal of the public’s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a joint statement with Rep. Adam B. Schiff, chair of the House Intelligence Committee. (The Washington Post, August 29, 2020, by Ellen Nakashima)
The stated reason for the change was to forestall leaks and to “ensure clarity and consistency” in the intelligence agencies’ relations with Congress. There were concerns that information about foreign interference in the election would be “misunderstood” or “politicized.” Democrats worry that they will not be able to question and weigh intelligence assessments in checking executive branch efforts to keep foreign influence out of the election. (The New York Times, August 29, 2020, by Nicholas Fandos and Julian W. Barnes)