Remarks from Kentucky U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell foreshadow a possible conflict with the incoming Trump administration over alleged Russian cyber attacks.
In a press conference Monday, the Senate majority leader signaled support for congressional investigations into the possible hacks but stayed tight lipped on President-elect Donald Trump’s more friendly overtures to Russia.
"Obviously any foreign breach of our cyber security measures is disturbing and I strongly condemn any such efforts," the senator said.
Remaining mum on whether recent CIA findings prove the Russians intended to swing the election for Trump, McConnell stopped short of endorsing a special select committee, instead suggesting the matter could be handled through the normal order.
The leader stressed that his comments were his personal opinion.
"The Russians are not our friends," McConnell stated. "They invaded Crimea. Senator [John] McCain and I and some of our Democratic friends met with a delegation from the Baltic countries just this past week. To say that they're nervous about the Russians would put it mildly."
Arizona Senator John McCain, the head of the Senate armed services committee, has used more forceful language, referring to the alleged cyber attacks on the Democratic National Committee and other accounts as “another form of warfare.”
Mr. Trump has mocked the CIA report on Russian hacking, calling it “ridiculous.”