State Dept. Was Granted $120 Million to Fight Russian Meddling. It Has Spent $0.

[Arkansas Granny]

As Russia’s virtual war against the United States continues unabated with the midterm elections approaching, the State Department has yet to spend any of the $120 million it has been allocated since late 2016 to counter foreign efforts to meddle in elections or sow distrust in democracy.

As a result, not one of the 23 analysts working in the department’s Global Engagement Center — which has been tasked with countering Moscow’s disinformation campaign — speaks Russian, and a department hiring freeze has hindered efforts to recruit the computer experts needed to track the Russian efforts.

The delay is just one symptom of the largely passive response to the Russian interference by President Trump, who has made little if any public effort to rally the nation to confront Moscow and defend democratic institutions. More broadly, the funding lag reflects a deep lack of confidence by Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson in his department’s ability to execute its historically wide-ranging mission and spend its money wisely.

Mr. Tillerson has voiced skepticism that the United States is even capable of doing anything to counter the Russian threat.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/03/04/world/europe/state-department-russia-global-engagement-center.html?referer=https://t.co/5Uq3C6hrDU?amp=1#click=https://t.co/5Uq3C6hrDU

It seems that this administration intends to do nothing to prevent Russian meddling in our elections. It makes me wonder what kind of hold Putin has on Trump.

[Merlot]

1. I don't think putin has a hold on trumpft

I think trumpft is willing to accept all the help from putin that he can get. trumpft thinks that every thing will go his way. In the past he has never had any consequences from his actions...things go bad, he stiffs the workers and files BK. So he has probably concluded that he can do the same to putin. Or he's on putins side and woudl prefer to be president for life, like putin.

[bettyellen]

2. Oh please. Trump is all about praising Putin no matter what he does.

[Merlot]

4. Maybe because he (trumpft) actually likes putin

[bluestarone]

3. after Nov 2018 well use it up

maybe add more to it