Earlier this week, the CIA confirmed that Russia rigged the presidential election in Donald Trump’s favor. As a result, President Barack Obama has vowed to take action against the foreign government for their interference in this year’s election.
“I think there is no doubt that when any foreign government tries to impact the integrity of our elections that we need to take action and we will at a time and place of our own choosing,” President Obama told National Public Radio.
Although Obama has officially promised to take retaliatory measures, officials say that the actions against may not be revealed publicly.
“Some of it may be explicit and publicized; some of it may not be,” Obama said.
According to CNN, it is believed Obama’s retaliation will occur in the final weeks of his presidency. However, the options for punishment vary. Apparently, the President can increase financial sanctions on Russia or strike back online, though Obama has advised against a potential full-scale cyber war. Whatever the case may be, Obama said the government is working on a response that will be “proportional” and “meaningful.” Additionally, he’s already informed President Vladimir Putin about his potential plan to react.
“Mr. Putin is well aware of my feelings about this, because I spoke to him directly about it,“ Obama said.
In the event the President does punish Russia for their influence on the election, Trump has the power to reverse all action, once he takes office. However, Obama has encouraged the President-elect to uphold US ideals in his foreign policy decision making, CNN reports.
“I can’t look into my crystal ball,” the President said. “I can say I had a conversation with the President-elect about our foreign policy generally. Our indispensability in the world in parts draws from our values and ideals,” he said.”
“It’s very important that we do not let the interfamily argument between Americans —the domestic political differences between Democrats and Republicans – obscure the need for us to stand together,” he added. “It requires us not to relitigate the election, it requires us to not point fingers.”
