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Senators Press Tech Executives but Split on Russia's Role in Trump's Win

The New York Times: WASHINGTON — Senators who called tech giants to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to answer for their roles in Russia’s election interference differed along party lines over the Kremlin’s role in swaying the race, with Republicans offering an implicit defense of the legitimacy of President Trump’s victory.

After months of publicly sidestepping the issue, several Republicans used a high-profile hearing with executives of Facebook, Google and Twitter to dismiss the impact of Russia’s use of the sites to spread misinformation and buy ads to try to tip the election in Mr. Trump’s favor.

“A lot of folks, including many in the media, have tried to reduce this entire conversation down to one premise: Foreign actors conducted a surgically executed covert operation to help elect a United States president,” said Senator Richard Burr, Republican of North Carolina and the chairman of the committee. “I’m here to tell you this story does not simplify that easily.”

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