Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Russia is already meddling in midterm Congressional elections this year, and the United States is not prepared to handle their meddling.
In an interview with Fox News in Bogota, Colombia, Tillerson said Russia is interfering in this year’s midterm elections and it will be difficult for the U.S. to prevent it.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Russia meddling in foreign elections: “I think it’s important we just continue to say to Russia, ‘Look, if you don’t think we see what you’re doing, we do see and you need to stop.'” #SpecialReport pic.twitter.com/J4wXFSRh7N
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 7, 2018
“I don’t know that I would say we are better prepared, because the Russians will adapt, as well,” Tillerson said. “The point is, if it’s their intention to interfere, they are going to find ways to do that. We can take steps we can take but this is something that, once they decide they are going to do it, it’s very difficult to preempt it.”
“I think it’s important we just continue to say to Russia, ‘Look, you think we don’t see what you’re doing. We do see it and you need to stop. If you don’t, you’re going to just continue to invite consequences for yourself,’” Tillerson added.
Tillerson said that Russia has “a lot of different tools” it can use to meddle in U.S. elections.
Tillerson’s comments came shortly after CIA Director Mike Pompeo told the BBC that Russia will be targeting U.S. midterm elections.
“I have every expectation that they will continue to try and do that, but I’m confident that America will be able to have a free and fair election (and) that we will push back in a way that is sufficiently robust that the impact they have on our election won’t be great,” Pompeo said.
