Maguire aide Shelby Pierson reportedly told lawmakers Russia was once again meddling in the US election on Trump's behalf. Trump announced on Wednesday he was replacing Maguire with Richard Grenell, 53, the ambassador to Germany and a Trump loyalist. US intelligence concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, especially through manipulation of social media, to support Trump. Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat on the intelligence committee, accused Trump of prioritizing "unquestioning obedience over the safety of the American people." Ned Price, a former aide to president Barack Obama, said Trump "has dropped the charade that he has any use for intelligence."

Source: Bangkok Post February 21, 2020 09:45 UTC