Russian Government Hackers Breach Democratic National Committee’s Research Files On Trump

The Trump campaign has refused to comment. NBC News reports:

The Democratic National Committee’s computer network was breached by Russian government cyber operations that have had access to the group’s communications and databases since at least last summer, NBC News confirms.

The sophisticated Russian groups, which have previously targeted the White House, the State Department and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, specifically concentrated on the DNC’s research units and had access to all of the committee’s internal communications, including chat and email applications.

The DNC’s opposition research unit, which sources indicate was specifically targeted by the hackers, is tasked with compiling unflattering information on Republican opponents — particularly presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump — to potentially use against them in the course of a political campaign.

Opposition research could include everything from old press clippings to footage of candidates on the stump recorded by party operatives to obscure legal and tax documents collected through public records requests. Much of this sensitive information may never come out during a campaign, and could be of use to the Russian government in seeking to embarrass or apply pressure to targets.