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Donald Trump tweets backing of Julian Assange and mocks US intelligence agencies

The US President-elect continues to defy conventions.

PBS NewsHour / YouTube

US PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump has attacked the US intelligence community, suggesting they are trying to “build a case” against Russia for hacking his political opponents.

US intelligence services including the CIA have concluded that Moscow was behind the hacking of the Democratic National Convention but Trump has repeatedly questioned this assertion.

He’s now repeated his claims and has also backed denials by Wikileaks founder Julian Assange that Wikileaks did get their information from Russia.

Last night, Trump mocked the briefing he was scheduled to be given, saying that it was “very strange” that it was delayed.

Trump followed up that tweet with his support for Assange after the Wikileaks founder appeared on Fox News to speak about the website’s release of hacked emails from the Democratic National Convention.

Assange told Fox News’ that he didn’t get the information from the Russian government, adding that ‘a 14-year-old’ could have broken into their emails.

“We published several … emails which show (Clinton campaign chair John) Podesta responding to a phishing email,” Assange said.

Podesta gave out that his password was the word ‘password’. His own staff said this email that you’ve received, this is totally legitimate. So, this is something … a 14-year-old kid could have hacked Podesta that way.

“The source is not the Russian government. It is not state parties,” the 45-year-old Australian also told Fox.

After the interview, Trump appeared to back Assange’s claim, adding that Democrats were “careless” to allow their security be breached.

Trump’s backing of Assange is particularly unprecedented for an incoming President given the fact that Assange is under criminal investigation for his role in classified information leaks.

Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for over four years as he avoids extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault. Assange claims that he fears further extradition to the United States if he sets foot in Sweden.

Read: White House to transfer prisoners out of Guantanamo despite Trump’s demands >

Read: Ford makes u-turn on plans for Mexico plant after Donald Trump tweet >

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151 Comments
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    Mute Declan Byrne
    Favourite Declan Byrne
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    Feb 4th 2014, 8:24 AM

    Let me tell you about separation amd divorce well there is only one winner that is solicitors and barristers. If the divorce is messy you can be looking at 25 to 45 k figure.

    The courts are a joke you could be in for a 5 minute hearing and told to come back in a month then your case might not ne heard if the courts too busy.

    If the other side doesnt turn up they are usualy given 3 tries on turning up and still a jidge doesnt like making a decision if the other side isnt there.

    It is a nightmare.

    My advice even if you hate each other try and be on talking terms for the divorce or not you both walk away with hefty bills.

    Another point don’t think you are going to out smart the courts and dont think your lies wont catch up with you. Don’t think you will get all most likely it will be 50 50.

    50
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    Mute Just4 TheJournal
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    Feb 4th 2014, 8:26 AM

    In 20 years time you’ll be able to get married and divorce using only a QR code. It will eventually be so easy to get divorced there will be no point getting married except to give the hotel a year’s wages.

    22
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    Mute Doey Walsh
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    Feb 4th 2014, 8:45 AM

    Bit sad that we look at divorce and separation so lightly nowadays IMO.

    Still, one more reason not to get married I suppose.

    19
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    Mute Declan Byrne
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    Feb 4th 2014, 8:57 AM

    Doey divorce and sepeartion is necessary as there is nothing as bad as been in a relationship that is on the rocks. Relationships break down for many reasons and not all can be sorted .

    By no means is separation or divorce easy it is very taxing on a person both health wise and mentally plus financially. There is no such thing as an easy way out.

    44
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    Mute Doey Walsh
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    Feb 4th 2014, 9:11 AM

    I completely agree with you Dec, which is why I say it should be avoided, for me the courts treat it like a circus and its vicious for everyone involved.

    17
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    Mute Ernie Looney
    Favourite Ernie Looney
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    Feb 4th 2014, 11:36 AM

    The length of time required to wait for a divorce should be reduced to two years and a separate court to deal with it.

    16
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Feb 4th 2014, 9:04 AM

    I’m divorced from somebody who doesn’t exist because the Registrar General did not act when informed of a fraud on a marriage certificate and judges didn’t read the paperwork.
    The system is designed so that if anyone has a real issue, they are expected to sort it out on appeal.
    After almost 15 years of divorce there are still no plans to introduce a register of divorces and more plans to make an offence for whistleblowing in childcare proceedings.

    8
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    Mute Eilish Deegan
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    Feb 4th 2014, 9:02 AM

    Or u could read The Midnight Companion ,written to help Irish people (especially) to deal with the emotional side to divorce and separation .Its brilliant.

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    Mute Randy Fisher
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    Feb 6th 2014, 5:05 PM

    Never get married. Rent it but don’t buy it.

    2
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    Mute Catherine Mill
    Favourite Catherine Mill
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    Feb 4th 2014, 6:31 PM

    The court corporation is designed to make profit with judge as banker and solicitors soliciting business, “expert” witnesses” guardians etc feeding off the misery of all involved.
    Solicitors will egg their client on to cause drama and prolong the case,set parties against each other and therein lies the profit.

    2
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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Feb 4th 2014, 6:23 PM

    We could return to our own marriage laws and keep away from the British family law system.

    We could only marry the other being and not have the church/state in the contract.

    Then we would never have to seek permission from the 3rd party in the contract and go to court, solicitors etc

    1
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    Mute Ina Smidiríní
    Favourite Ina Smidiríní
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    Feb 5th 2014, 10:07 AM

    Only the lowest of low amongst solicitors do this work. If you meet a family law solicitor on a night out just walk the other way.

    1
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