#National security adviser Robert O’Brien denies claim he ordered intel report be altered

National security adviser Robert O’Brien denied accusations from an alleged Department of Homeland Security whistleblower that he ordered intelligence about Russian influence in the US to either be downplayed or removed from a report and said he had never heard of the person making the allegations.

The complaint, filed Tuesday by Brian Murphy, the former head of the intelligence branch in Homeland Security, alleges that top officials moved to alter intelligence findings on Russia and white supremacists to appease the views of President Trump.

Murphy, in the report released Wednesday by the House Intelligence Committee, claims acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf told him the order originated with O’Brien at the White House.

“No, I’ve never even heard of this guy. I don’t know who he is, and it’s hearsay,” O’Brien told Bret Baier on Fox News’ “Special Report” Wednesday. “He says he heard it from somebody else, and in polite society that’s the sort of thing that used to be frowned on. Now it gets news coverage. It’s totally false. I don’t think there’s anybody that’s been tougher on Russia in this administration than I have been or the president has been, for that matter,” he continued.

The whistleblower accused the Homeland Security officials, including Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli, of playing down the threat posed by Russia and playing up the involvement of China and Iran.

O’Brien said the two countries are seriously trying to interfere in the elections.

“But I will tell you one thing, China is a serious threat to our elections. Iran is a serious threat to the free and fair elections here, and I certainly want reporting on not just what Russia’s doing but on what China’s doing, what Iran and other bad actors are doing,” he said, adding “But I’ve never heard of this guy. It’s absurd.”

Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House panel, said he would subpoena Murphy to testify later this month.