Cyber Rattling: Now the Election CAN be Rigged Just As Donald Trump Claims

After weeks of warnings and accusations that Russia hacked America, NBC News is now reporting just the opposite: that the United States hacks Russia:

U.S. military hackers have penetrated Russia’s electric grid, telecommunications networks and the Kremlin’s command systems, making them vulnerable to attack by secret American cyber weapons should the U.S. deem it necessary, according to a senior intelligence official and top-secret documents reviewed by NBC News.

This NBC report corroborates a cryptic threat by vice president Joe Biden in October. With an ominous smirk on his face, Joe Biden warns Russia, “We’re sending a message.”

The NBC report cites anonymous sources described as a “senior intelligence official and top-secret documents.” These sources “continue to express concern that Russia will use its cyber capabilities to try to disrupt next week’s presidential election.”

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been saying for weeks that the system is “rigged.” When Donald Trump says it, he is met with claims that the election cannot be rigged.

Donald Trump has also refused to say that he will concede the election if results show that Hillary Clinton wins on election day. Concerns about violence are in the chatter.

But throw that all out now. Apparently, the election can be hacked, Russia can do it, and such tampering would favor Donald Trump, not Hillary Clinton.

Two major concerns have reversed on a dime:

1. If election returns show Donald Trump winning, then hacking is possible. This would allow Hillary Clinton to suddenly claim the election is rigged.

2. Poorly evidenced claims of Russian hacking America have transformed into threats that America will hack Russia.

This sounds like preemption and it sounds like war.