Donald Trump seems to have little taste for protecting the United States from Russian hacking, while President Obama is planning a sharp response. (Photo: Getty)
Obama is expected to reveal today (Dec. 29) the steps he’s taking to retaliate for Russia’s efforts to sway the election in Trump’s favor.
But for his part, Trump wishes the whole thing would just fade away.
“I think we ought to get on with our lives,” Trump said during remarks to reporters last night while on vacation at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
He blamed the whole thing on the “age of the computer.”
“I think that computers have complicated lives very greatly,” he said.
“The whole age of the computer has made it where nobody knows exactly what’s going on. We have speed, we have a lot of other things, but I’m not sure we have the kind of security we need,” he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied involvement in the scandal, even though U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded Russia was behind the break-ins.
Emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s Campaign Manager John Podesta, were stolen and released through Wikileaks onto the Internet.
Obama revealed his planned response in a radio address, Dec. 16. He said some elements may not be made public.
Among the range of actions begin discussed are targeted economic sanctions, indictments, leaking information to embarrass Russian officials or oligarchs and restrictions on Russian diplomats in the United States, according to reports.
“There will be bipartisan sanctions coming that will hit Russia hard, particularly Putin as an individual,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, promised retaliation if new economic sanctions are imposed. Current sanctions are crippling Russia’s economy.
Obama imposed sanctions against Russia two years ago following its illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and supporting Russian separatists.
Since the election, Trump has been trying to sow doubt about Russia’s involvement, calling the claims “ridiculous.”
He repeatedly praised Putin during the election and has nominated people to senior administration posts who have close ties to the Russian dictator.
But Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper shut down Donald Trump’s efforts in a message released Dec. 17. Clapper revealed to CIA Director John Brennan, that FBI Director James Comey confirmed the CIA’s findings.
Intelligence officials believe Russia sought to intervene specifically to help Trump defeat Clinton.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has called for a special select panel to probe cyber-warfare threats from Russia and other U.S. adversaries, including Iran and China.