NBC News broke a story that added an important piece to the puzzle.  It was developed by William M. Arkin, Ken Dilanian, and Cynthia Mcfaddden.  They provide evidence Vladimir Putin was personally involved in Russia’s effort to influence the U.S. election.

U.S. intelligence officials now believe with “a high level of confidence” that Russian President Vladimir Putin became personally involved in the covert Russian campaign to interfere in the U.S. presidential election, senior U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News.