Rogers says much of what Snowden did was 'beyond his technical capabilities.' Rogers: Russia may be behind Snowden leak

The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee says Edward Snowden likely received help stealing information from the National Security Agency — and that help may have come from Russian intelligence officials.

In a pre-recorded interview for NBC’s “Meet the Press” with David Gregory, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) questioned how the former NSA contractor arranged travel out of the United States before leaking the trove of secret documents and eventually making his way to Russia.


“Let me just say this. I believe there’s a reason he ended up in the hands, the loving arms, of an FSB agent in Moscow,” Rogers said. “I don’t think that’s a coincidence.”

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Rogers said several factors of the saga raise questions, that some of the things Snowden did in attaining the information “were beyond his technical capabilities,” according to an early transcript from the show.

In August, Russia granted Snowden one year’s asylum after he spent five weeks in legal limbo in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport, a decision that has been an ongoing source of tension with the United States. The Obama administration has called for Snowden’s extradition so he can stand trial.

Announcing NSA reforms this week, Obama said Snowden’s disclosures could impact national security operations “in ways that we may not fully understand for years to come.”

( Also on POLITICO: NSA plan triggers telecom questions)

Rogers’ interview will air Sunday morning on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he makes a joint appearance with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

—Josh Gerstein contributed to this report