Assange meets US congressman, vows to prove Russia did not …

Julian Assange told a U.S. congressmanon Tuesdayhe can prove the leaked Democratic Party documents he published during last years election did not come from Russia and promised additional helpful information about the leaks in the near future.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican who is friendly to Russia and chairs an important House subcommittee on Eurasia policy, became the first American congressman to meet with Assange during a three-hour private gathering at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where the WikiLeaks founder has been holed up for years.

Rohrabacher recounted his conversation with Assange to The Hill.

Pressed for more detail on the source of the documents, Rohrabacher said he had information to share privately with President Trump.

Julian also indicated that he is open to further discussions regarding specific information about the DNC email incident that is currently unknown to the public, he said.

U.S. intelligence has insisted it has solid proof which it has not made public that Russia was behind last years election hacks that embarrassed Democrats, including unflattering revelations about nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonAssange meets U.S. congressman, vows to prove Russia did not leak him documents High-ranking FBI official leaves Russia probe OPINION | Steve Bannon is Trump's indispensable man don't sacrifice him to the critics MORE and her campaign chairman, John Podesta, whose personal email account was also hacked.

Assange has suggested in the past that Russia wasnt the source of his leaked information. Tuesdaymarked the first time he has engaged with a U.S. lawmaker.

Assange has been living at Ecuadors embassy in London since 2012 after seeking diplomatic asylum. He rose to prominence after publishing thousands of sensitive U.S. diplomatic and military documents that included leaks related to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Assange is a controversial figure; he is a hero to supporters who argue his leaks unveiled critical information about the evils of U.S. military and foreign policy butis a villain to critics, including many GOP lawmakers, who argue the leaks jeopardized national security.

Rohrabachers visit with Assange, as a result, is likely to be controversial with many of his colleagues.

Rohrabacher said he had information he planned to carry back to Trump when he returned to the United States, including a request that the WikiLeaks organization be given a news media seat inside the White House press room.

Julian passionately argued the case that WikiLeaks was vital to informing the public about controversial though necessary issues. He hoped that WikiLeaks an award-winning journalistic operation might be granted a seat in the White House press corps. As a former newsman myself I can't see a reason why they shouldn't be granted news status for official press conferences, he said.

As for other information to be given to the president, Rohrabacher said: We left with the understanding that we would be going into further details in the near future.The rest of the message is for the president directly, and I hope to convey it to him as more details come in.

The Democratic National Committee cast doubt on Assange's claims.

Well take the word of the U.S. intelligence community over Julian Assange and Putins favorite Congressman," Adrienne Watson, the DNC's deputy communications director, said in a statement.

Rohrabacher said the meeting occurred with Assange,his lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, and Chuck Johnson, aconservative activist and right-wing provocateur,in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London.

Unbeknownst to me, I am the first member of Congress to visit there with Mr. Assange, he said.

The lawmaker also said Assange appeared in good health, allaying concerns his time in asylum at the embassy had taken a toll.

Contrary to what the fake news media has alleged, Julian seemed in good health and committed to his principles, he said.

Trump has at times praised Assange and used a Fox News interview this year with the WikiLeaks founder to cast doubt on Russias involvement in the DNC leak.

This story was updated at 12:54 p.m.

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