A senior US&nbsp;intelligence official has come forward as a whistleblower and revealed that the White House had ordered him to stop all reporting on the Russian involvement in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">US elections</a>.

Brian Murphy is&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security analyst. He has claimed that he possesses proof of Donald Trump's manipulation of 2016 US elections when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> took over the role of the President of the United States.

Murphy claims that&nbsp;he was told by acting DHS chief Chad Wolf that assessments on the Russian threat made Trump "look bad."

He has also claimed that Chad Wolf asked him to falsify his analysis that&nbsp;"specifically originate ed from White House National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien." However, Murphy said he declined to ake part in such activities&nbsp;"as doing so would put the country in substantial and specific danger."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-donald-trump-admits-downplaying-seriousness-of-covid-19-326412">Also read|&nbsp;US election 2020: Donald Trump admits 'downplaying' seriousness of COVID-19</a>

The whistleblower complaint was filed by Murphy on Wednesday.

He has also alleged Trump of manipulating intelligence to support his campaign of re-election in the upcoming US Presidential elections, scheduled for November, in which Trump is competing against Democratic leader Joe Biden.

The complaint came after Murphy was demoted when he declined to falsify his reports and censor his reporting on Russia's involvement in the US elections.

The complaint, released by the Democrat-led House Intelligence Committee, came after months of reports that the White House was downplaying the Russian election threat, despite what US intelligence chiefs have said was massive interference in the 2016 campaign that brought Trump to power.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/us-election-2020-book-troubles-for-donald-trump-in-2020-326488">Have a look|&nbsp;US election 2020: Book troubles for Donald Trump in 2020</a>

However, all these claims have been declined.&nbsp; "We flatly deny that there is any truth to the merits of Mr. Murphy's claim," said department spokesperson Alexei Woltornist.

"DHS is working to address all threats to the homeland regardless of ideology," Woltornist added.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pushing a report which claims that China was involved in the US elections, but it was Trump who was being targeted, and not his opponent.

The White House has also declined the accusations made by Murphy.

He has alleged that between 2018 and 2020, he observed&nbsp;"a repeated pattern of abuse of authority, attempted censorship of intelligence analysis and improper administration of an intelligence program related to Russian efforts to influence and undermine United States interests."

Murphy has also further accused the&nbsp;then-DHS secretary Kirstjen Nielsen of exaggerating the threats he mentioned in the testimony related to Mexico-US border, in order to support Trump's dream of building a wall on the US-Mexico border.

He also added that the&nbsp;acting deputy DHS secretary Ken Cuccinelli demanded changes to intelligence reports on corruption and violence in Central America that might be used to bolster asylum claims to support Trump's anti-migration policy.

(With inputs from agencies)

A senior US intelligence official has come forward as a whistleblower and revealed that the White House had ordered him to stop all reporting on the Russian involvement in the US elections.

A senior US intelligence official has come forward as a whistleblower and revealed that the White House had ordered him to stop all reporting on the Russian involvement in the US elections. Brian Murphy is Department of Homeland Security analyst. He has claimed that he possesses proof of Donald Trump's manipulation of 2016 US elections when Donald Trump took over the role of the President of the United States. Murphy claims that he was told by acting DHS chief Chad Wolf that assessments on the Russian threat made Trump "look bad." He has also claimed that Chad Wolf asked him to falsify his analysis that "specifically originate ed from White House National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien." However, Murphy said he declined to ake part in such activities "as doing so would put the country in substantial and specific danger." Also read| US election 2020: Donald Trump admits 'downplaying' seriousness of COVID-19 The whistleblower complaint was filed by Murphy on Wednesday. He has also alleged Trump of manipulating intelligence to support his campaign of re-election in the upcoming US Presidential elections, scheduled for November, in which Trump is competing against Democratic leader Joe Biden. The complaint came after Murphy was demoted when he declined to falsify his reports and censor his reporting on Russia's involvement in the US elections. The complaint, released by the Democrat-led House Intelligence Committee, came after months of reports that the White House was downplaying the Russian election threat, despite what US intelligence chiefs have said was massive interference in the 2016 campaign that brought Trump to power. Have a look| US election 2020: Book troubles for Donald Trump in 2020 However, all these claims have been declined. "We flatly deny that there is any truth to the merits of Mr. Murphy's claim," said department spokesperson Alexei Woltornist. "DHS is working to address all threats to the homeland regardless of ideology," Woltornist added. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pushing a report which claims that China was involved in the US elections, but it was Trump who was being targeted, and not his opponent. The White House has also declined the accusations made by Murphy. He has alleged that between 2018 and 2020, he observed "a repeated pattern of abuse of authority, attempted censorship of intelligence analysis and improper administration of an intelligence program related to Russian efforts to influence and undermine United States interests." Murphy has also further accused the then-DHS secretary Kirstjen Nielsen of exaggerating the threats he mentioned in the testimony related to Mexico-US border, in order to support Trump's dream of building a wall on the US-Mexico border. He also added that the acting deputy DHS secretary Ken Cuccinelli demanded changes to intelligence reports on corruption and violence in Central America that might be used to bolster asylum claims to support Trump's anti-migration policy. (With inputs from agencies)

US election 2020: White House ordered me not to report Russian meddling in polls: Whistleblower

The United Nations on Tuesday called on Russia to undertake a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned with a Soviet-era agent Novichok.

Michelle Bachelet urged all stakeholders to cooperate in order to ascertain who poisoned Navalny. German authorities recently claimed to possess “unequivocal proof” of Novichok being used in the attack.

In Pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/mysterious-russian-poison-cases-radioactive-polonium-toxic-nerve-agent-to-chemicals-322391" hreflang="en">Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals</a>

"It is incumbent on the Russian authorities to fully investigate who was responsible for this crime, a very serious crime that was committed on Russian soil," Bachelet said in a statement.

Navalny, 44, is considered one of Putin’s fiercest critics in Russia. On September 8, he came out of a medically induced coma, and was responsive, a German hospital said.

Bachelet added that “the number of cases of poisoning, or other forms of targeted assassination, of current or former Russian citizens, either within Russia itself or on foreign soil, over the past two decades is profoundly disturbing."&nbsp;

"And the failure in many cases to hold perpetrators accountable and provide justice for the victims or their families, is also deeply regrettable and hard to explain or justify," she further said.

Fierce critic

One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, Navalny fell sick on a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20, after which he was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk in Siberia following an emergency landing.

As international pressure mounted, he was shifted to Berlin's Charite hospital.

In Pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/the-curious-case-of-russian-kremlin-critics-who-were-allegedly-poisoned-321943" hreflang="en">The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned</a>

Steffen Seibert the spokesperson to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on September 2 said that after testing by a military laboratory, it was ascertained that “a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group" was used on Navalny.

Novichok was notoriously famous during the Soviet era, and was also used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter who were&nbsp;then in Britain.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/ready-to-cooperate-with-germany-on-navalnys-case-24-hours-per-day-russia-325535" hreflang="en">Ready to cooperate with Germany on Navalny’s case 24 hours per day: Russia</a>

A cholinesterase inhibitor, it is part of a grouping of substances that the doctors had identified in Navalny after he was moved to Germany.

Russia has continuously rejected accusing of deliberate poisoning by the country, calling the accusations "empty noise". Russian doctors who had treated Navalny in Siberia have repeatedly claimed that poisoning was ruled out as no trace of poisonous substances was found in his body.

The United Nations on Tuesday called on Russia to undertake a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned with a Soviet-era agent Novichok.

The United Nations on Tuesday called on Russia to undertake a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned with a Soviet-era agent Novichok. Michelle Bachelet urged all stakeholders to cooperate in order to ascertain who poisoned Navalny. German authorities recently claimed to possess “unequivocal proof” of Novichok being used in the attack. In Pics: Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals "It is incumbent on the Russian authorities to fully investigate who was responsible for this crime, a very serious crime that was committed on Russian soil," Bachelet said in a statement. Navalny, 44, is considered one of Putin’s fiercest critics in Russia. On September 8, he came out of a medically induced coma, and was responsive, a German hospital said. Bachelet added that “the number of cases of poisoning, or other forms of targeted assassination, of current or former Russian citizens, either within Russia itself or on foreign soil, over the past two decades is profoundly disturbing." "And the failure in many cases to hold perpetrators accountable and provide justice for the victims or their families, is also deeply regrettable and hard to explain or justify," she further said. Fierce critic One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, Navalny fell sick on a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20, after which he was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk in Siberia following an emergency landing. As international pressure mounted, he was shifted to Berlin's Charite hospital. In Pics: The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned Steffen Seibert the spokesperson to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on September 2 said that after testing by a military laboratory, it was ascertained that “a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group" was used on Navalny. Novichok was notoriously famous during the Soviet era, and was also used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter who were then in Britain. Also read: Ready to cooperate with Germany on Navalny’s case 24 hours per day: Russia A cholinesterase inhibitor, it is part of a grouping of substances that the doctors had identified in Navalny after he was moved to Germany. Russia has continuously rejected accusing of deliberate poisoning by the country, calling the accusations "empty noise". Russian doctors who had treated Navalny in Siberia have repeatedly claimed that poisoning was ruled out as no trace of poisonous substances was found in his body.

UN urges Russia to undertake a 'transparent, independent' investigation into Navalny poisoning

After reports of Russian military intelligence agencies offering bounties to militants for killing United States’ troops in Afghanistan, the Democrats and Republicans have united in pressurising the president to divulge more information.

"Congress and the country need answers now. I therefore request an interagency brief for all House Members immediately," Democratic US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe and CIA Director Gina Haspel on Monday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/russia-denies-paying-militants-to-kill-us-troops-in-afghanistan-309334" hreflang="en">Russia denies paying militants to kill US troops in Afghanistan</a>

"The questions that arise are: was the President briefed, and if not, why not, and why was Congress not briefed?" Pelosi asked.

She was joined by Republican’s top representative Mac Thornberry, alongside Democratic Representative Adam Smith, while asking the Department of Defense for a detailed briefing.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/its-all-about-him-john-bolton-criticises-trumps-statement-on-russian-bounties-309243" hreflang="en">It's all about him: John Bolton criticises Trump's statement on Russian bounties</a>

"The American people – and our service members – deserve to know the truth about what the White House knew about these Russian operations that may have directly resulted in the deaths of American service members," Smith said.

Thornberry, while referring to the debacle, said that any delay "will not be acceptable”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/trump-says-he-wasnt-briefed-on-russia-taliban-bounty-intelligence-309193" hreflang="en">Trump says he wasn't briefed on Russia-Taliban bounty intelligence</a>

A closer worker with the US Congress revealed that the Republican-only meeting would take place in the White House on Monday. US Speaker’s Pelosi’s close aides, Chuck Schumer, along with other Democrats said that they don’t expect any Democrats to be invited.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has dismissed the reports as “fake news”, and further suggested that this was an attempt to make the Republicans look bad.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/amid-anti-racist-protests-us-prez-trump-retweets-video-where-man-shouts-white-power-309281/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Senator Marco Rubio, the Republican acting intelligence committee chairman, said that they would "continue to conduct vigorous oversight" of threats faced by the United States.

After reports of Russian military intelligence agencies offering bounties to militants for killing United States’ troops in Afghanistan, the Democrats and Republicans have united in pressurising the president to divulge more information.

After reports of Russian military intelligence agencies offering bounties to militants for killing United States’ troops in Afghanistan, the Democrats and Republicans have united in pressurising the president to divulge more information. "Congress and the country need answers now. I therefore request an interagency brief for all House Members immediately," Democratic US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe and CIA Director Gina Haspel on Monday. Also read: Russia denies paying militants to kill US troops in Afghanistan "The questions that arise are: was the President briefed, and if not, why not, and why was Congress not briefed?" Pelosi asked. She was joined by Republican’s top representative Mac Thornberry, alongside Democratic Representative Adam Smith, while asking the Department of Defense for a detailed briefing. Also read: It's all about him: John Bolton criticises Trump's statement on Russian bounties "The American people – and our service members – deserve to know the truth about what the White House knew about these Russian operations that may have directly resulted in the deaths of American service members," Smith said. Thornberry, while referring to the debacle, said that any delay "will not be acceptable”. Also read: Trump says he wasn't briefed on Russia-Taliban bounty intelligence A closer worker with the US Congress revealed that the Republican-only meeting would take place in the White House on Monday. US Speaker’s Pelosi’s close aides, Chuck Schumer, along with other Democrats said that they don’t expect any Democrats to be invited. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has dismissed the reports as “fake news”, and further suggested that this was an attempt to make the Republicans look bad. Senator Marco Rubio, the Republican acting intelligence committee chairman, said that they would "continue to conduct vigorous oversight" of threats faced by the United States.

Democrats and Republicans want answers from Trump on Russia bounty reports

After Donald Trump and White House claimed that the the President and the Vice President, Mike Pence, were not briefed on the Russian bounty case, John Bolton has criticised Trump's statement.

"...Nobody’s been tougher on Russia than the Trump Administration. With Corrupt Joe Biden &amp; Obama, Russia had a field day, taking over important parts of Ukraine - Where’s Hunter? Probably just another phony Times hit job, just like their failed Russia Hoax. Who is their “source”?," Trump had tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Nobody briefed or told me, <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> Pence, or Chief of Staff <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkMeadows?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarkMeadows</a> about the so-called attacks on our troops in Afghanistan by Russians, as reported through an “anonymous source” by the Fake News <a href="https://twitter.com/nytimes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nytimes</a>. Everybody is denying it &amp; there have not been many attacks on us.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1277202159109537793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inaccurate-white-house-rubbishes-reports-of-trumps-failed-actions-on-russian-bounties-case-309084">Also read|&nbsp;Inaccurate: White House rubbishes reports of Trump's failed actions on Russian bounties' case</a>

"It is pretty remarkable the President's going out of his way to say he has not heard anything about it. One asks, why would he do something like that?," said John Bolton, Trump's former National Security Advisor (NSA), and present nemesis.

White House and Trump's statements of clarification came after&nbsp;New York Times, a national top-selling newspaper, reported that the intelligence service had informed the President about Russia secretly offering bounties to Afghanistan to kill the US soldiers, but Trump had failed to take any action.

"The fact that the President feels compelled to tweet about the news story here shows that what his fundamental focus is, is not the security of our forces, but whether he looks like he was not paying attention. So he is saying well nobody told me, therefore you cannot blame me," Bolton said.

John Bolton&nbsp;has come up with a tell-all book on his White House days -- 'The room where it happened: a White House memoir'.

As the title suggests, this book is a first-hand account of everything that happened inside the White House, and has become the centre of controversy as the Trump administration has tried, on multiple occasions, to suspend the publication of the book.

After Donald Trump and White House claimed that the the President and the Vice President, Mike Pence, were not briefed on the Russian bounty case, John Bolton has criticised Trump's statement.

After Donald Trump and White House claimed that the the President and the Vice President, Mike Pence, were not briefed on the Russian bounty case, John Bolton has criticised Trump's statement. "...Nobody’s been tougher on Russia than the Trump Administration. With Corrupt Joe Biden & Obama, Russia had a field day, taking over important parts of Ukraine - Where’s Hunter? Probably just another phony Times hit job, just like their failed Russia Hoax. Who is their “source”?," Trump had tweeted. Nobody briefed or told me, @VP Pence, or Chief of Staff @MarkMeadows about the so-called attacks on our troops in Afghanistan by Russians, as reported through an “anonymous source” by the Fake News @nytimes. Everybody is denying it & there have not been many attacks on us..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2020 × Also read| Inaccurate: White House rubbishes reports of Trump's failed actions on Russian bounties' case "It is pretty remarkable the President's going out of his way to say he has not heard anything about it. One asks, why would he do something like that?," said John Bolton, Trump's former National Security Advisor (NSA), and present nemesis. White House and Trump's statements of clarification came after New York Times, a national top-selling newspaper, reported that the intelligence service had informed the President about Russia secretly offering bounties to Afghanistan to kill the US soldiers, but Trump had failed to take any action. "The fact that the President feels compelled to tweet about the news story here shows that what his fundamental focus is, is not the security of our forces, but whether he looks like he was not paying attention. So he is saying well nobody told me, therefore you cannot blame me," Bolton said. John Bolton has come up with a tell-all book on his White House days -- 'The room where it happened: a White House memoir'. As the title suggests, this book is a first-hand account of everything that happened inside the White House, and has become the centre of controversy as the Trump administration has tried, on multiple occasions, to suspend the publication of the book.

It's all about him: John Bolton criticises Trump's statement on Russian bounties

Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia has warned that if the US launches air strikes in response to the alleged chemical attack in Syria it could lead to a war between the two countries.

"The immediate priority is to avert the danger of war," the Russian envoy was quoted as saying by the BBC.

"We cannot exclude any possibilities, unfortunately."

The remarks were made after a private meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.

Vassily Nebenzia also said that UN Security Council must meet again on Friday to discuss the possibility of Western military action.

Top Russian officials, including the head of the military, have warned that US missiles will be shot down and their launch sites targeted if Russian personnel come under threat.

Dozens of people died in a suspected chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Douma on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump amended on Thursday an earlier warning of a swift military strike against Syria in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack on civilians, saying it "could be very soon or not so soon at all".

&nbsp;

Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia has warned that if the US launches air strikes in response to the alleged chemical attack in Syria it could lead to a war between the two countries

Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia has warned that if the US launches air strikes in response to the alleged chemical attack in Syria it could lead to a war between the two countries. "The immediate priority is to avert the danger of war," the Russian envoy was quoted as saying by the BBC. "We cannot exclude any possibilities, unfortunately." The remarks were made after a private meeting of the UN Security Council in New York. Vassily Nebenzia also said that UN Security Council must meet again on Friday to discuss the possibility of Western military action. Top Russian officials, including the head of the military, have warned that US missiles will be shot down and their launch sites targeted if Russian personnel come under threat. Dozens of people died in a suspected chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Douma on Saturday. US President Donald Trump amended on Thursday an earlier warning of a swift military strike against Syria in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack on civilians, saying it "could be very soon or not so soon at all".

Russia warns US of war over Syria air strikes

The Syrian army Wednesday warned civilians and rebels to leave Aleppo or face their &quot;inevitable fate&quot;, hours after it decided to downscale its attack on the eastern part of the embattled city.

Russia-backed Syrian forces had decided to reduce its air strikes and shelling of rebel-held neighbourhoods in eastern Aleppo after it claimed to have made significant advances in &quot;cutting off all terrorist supply routes&quot; into such areas.

The decision to lessen its bombardment of rebels came after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his US counterpart John Kerry discussed Syria over the phone, Russian news agency TASS reported.

&quot;The military command has decided to reduce the number of air strikes and artillery on terrorist positions to allow civilians that want to leave to reach safe areas,&quot; a statement issued by the Syrian army read, AFP reported.

It remains unsure if Russia would reduce its air strikes on the city.

Russia had launched a fresh and a brutal offensive against the United States-supported rebels after a ceasefire brokered by Washington and Moscow crumbled on September 22.

As many as 270 people, including 53 children, have been killed in the last two weeks.

Aleppo, the country&#39;s largest city, has come under siege from Syrian forces loyal to President&nbsp;Bashar al-Assad as it seeks to drive out rebels from the eastern part of the city. &nbsp;

However, air strikes continued to take place on the southern edges of Aleppo on Wednesday despite Assad administrations&#39; decision to reduce its attacks on the rebels. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Washington has decided to suspend its plans to hold bilateral talks with Moscow. It has refused to hold peace talks with the Russian government due to its continuing air strikes on rebel positions in the war-torn city.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The military said the bombings would be reduced after the 'success of its armed forces in Aleppo'

The Syrian army Wednesday warned civilians and rebels to leave Aleppo or face their "inevitable fate", hours after it decided to downscale its attack on the eastern part of the embattled city. Russia-backed Syrian forces had decided to reduce its air strikes and shelling of rebel-held neighbourhoods in eastern Aleppo after it claimed to have made significant advances in "cutting off all terrorist supply routes" into such areas. The decision to lessen its bombardment of rebels came after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his US counterpart John Kerry discussed Syria over the phone, Russian news agency TASS reported. "The military command has decided to reduce the number of air strikes and artillery on terrorist positions to allow civilians that want to leave to reach safe areas," a statement issued by the Syrian army read, AFP reported. It remains unsure if Russia would reduce its air strikes on the city. Russia had launched a fresh and a brutal offensive against the United States-supported rebels after a ceasefire brokered by Washington and Moscow crumbled on September 22. As many as 270 people, including 53 children, have been killed in the last two weeks. Aleppo, the country's largest city, has come under siege from Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad as it seeks to drive out rebels from the eastern part of the city. However, air strikes continued to take place on the southern edges of Aleppo on Wednesday despite Assad administrations' decision to reduce its attacks on the rebels. Meanwhile, Washington has decided to suspend its plans to hold bilateral talks with Moscow. It has refused to hold peace talks with the Russian government due to its continuing air strikes on rebel positions in the war-torn city. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Syria announces surprise easing of Aleppo assault

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