The New York Times has just published a bombshell report, alleging Russian hackers “in recent days” were able to access state and local computer networks, in an effort to help President Donald Trump win re-election. These “breaches…could allow Moscow broader access to American voting infrastructure.”

The revelation is in keeping with Russia’s stated goal of undermining confidence in the U.S. elections system.

“The discovery of the hacks came as American intelligence agencies, infiltrating Russian networks themselves, have pieced together details of what they believe are Russia’s plans to interfere in the presidential race in its final days or immediately after the election on Nov. 3,” the Times reports.

“Officials did not make clear what Russia planned to do, but they said its operations would be intended to help President Trump, potentially by exacerbating disputes around the results, especially if the race is too close to call.”

For months Trump has been sowing seeds to allow himself and his supporters to claim the election was not free or fair, repeatedly calling it “rigged.”

Just out: Some people in the Great State of North Carolina have been sent TWO BALLOTS. RIGGED ELECTION in waiting!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 17, 2020

Rigged Election! https://t.co/agmPI8kkRV

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 8, 2020

The Times claims there is “no evidence that the Russians have changed any vote tallies or voter registration information.”

But experts say this isn’t over.

“This could be the reconnaissance for disruptive activity,” says John Hultquist, the director of threat analysis at the security firm FireEye.

“American officials expect that if the presidential race is not called on election night, Russian groups could use their knowledge of the local computer systems to deface websites, release nonpublic information or take similar steps that could sow chaos and doubts about the integrity of the results, according to American officials briefed on the intelligence.”

“Can we impeach the SOB already!?”

President Donald Trump attacked his former Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, one of the most senior diplomats in the U.S. State Department, as she delivered sworn testimony before the House Intelligence Committee Friday at an impeachment inquiry hearing.

“Everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad,” Trump falsely claimed.

….They call it “serving at the pleasure of the President.” The U.S. now has a very strong and powerful foreign policy, much different than proceeding administrations. It is called, quite simply, America First! With all of that, however, I have done FAR more for Ukraine than O.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2019

Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff made clear President Trump was engaging in “witness intimidation.”

Schiff on Trump attacking witnesses as they testify before impeachment investigators: “I want to let you know, ambassador, that some of us here take witness intimidation very, very seriously.” pic.twitter.com/JLT9yN57cc

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 15, 2019

On MSNBC at 10:38 AM, during a break, Chris Matthews ssaid what Trump did “is a crime.”

Many on social media expressed outrage at the President’s unprecedented attack.

Live Witness intimidation. Can we impeach the SOB already!?

— Dana Goldberg (@DGComedy) November 15, 2019

Future Politics students are undoubtedly going to have to write essays on the usage of Social Media in relation to #Impeachment proceedings #witnessintimidation #ImpeachmentInquiry

— Martyn Bradshaw (@AstonMartyn) November 15, 2019

Do better, John. How would Neil Peart view these events? I assure you, he wouldn’t marvel at the tech angle. The unprecedented thing is the president engaging in criminal *witness intimidation* in real time to cover-up his own confessed crimes. https://t.co/6lhwtAD6jX

— Bob Cesca (@bobcesca_go) November 15, 2019

Chris Wallace agrees: “This wasn’t just testimony about the past. This played out in real time, with the president attacking her… It does raise the possibility of witness intimidation and witness tampering as a new charge here.”

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 15, 2019

witness intimidation —-> yet another ongoing impeachable offense committed by @realDonaldTrump #ImpeachAndRemove https://t.co/IukbcDXRLI

— Turkey / Goof™ (@MetsFanInPhilly) November 15, 2019

There is nothing that quickens the pulse like live witness intimidation, if you’re on the lookout for pizzazz.

— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) November 15, 2019

Trump’s tweet this morning on Yavanovitch shows there is no one who can control him at all or temper his impulses in the WH.

This was a disaster for him, legally and politically, as he engaged in witness intimidation and furthered her concern of things happening to her.

— Michelangelo Signorile (@MSignorile) November 15, 2019

Reminder: Witness intimidation — on its own — is an impeachable offense. https://t.co/75gskvF1vG

— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) November 15, 2019

3/ Although impeachment doesn’t require a crime, witness intimidation is in fact a crime & be the basis of another article of impeachment. Here’s one part of the relevant law, 18 USC 1512. pic.twitter.com/KXmi9s9BMc

— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) November 15, 2019

Brett Baier on Fox News: Schiff — by casting Trump’s tweet against Yovanovitch as witness intimidation — was essentially adding an article an impeachment “in real time.”

— Dan Zak (@MrDanZak) November 15, 2019