US suggests Putin directly involved in hacking scandals

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

The White House on Thursday suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin was directly responsible for cyber hacking meant to undermine the American presidential election.

“Only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorized these activities," spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters, citing an assessment made by America's intelligence agencies.

Earnest said when he read the assessment he "didn't think it was particularly subtle", likely referring to how it clearly implicates the Russian head of state.

Neither he nor the intelligence community offered evidence to support the accusation, but the claims have further strained relations between Moscow and Washington amid already heightened tensions about Ukraine and Syria.

President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly denied that Russia could have played a role in the cyber activities, likely foreshadowing a conflict with America's intelligence community and some Republican lawmakers who maintain Russia is behind the attempts.

Earnest said Trump "was obviously aware" of Russia's activities, pointing to an alleged July 27 tweet by advisor Roger Stone that read: "Of course the Russians hacked at Hillary Clinton's e-mail."

Earnest called on Trump to "cooperate" and "support" the ongoing investigation into Russia's cyber activities.

Speaking earlier in the day, President Barack Obama's Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes told MSNBC: "I don't think things happen in the Russian government of this consequence without Vladimir Putin knowing about it."

Putin has flatly rejected the accusations.