President-elect Donald Trump today rejected as "ridiculous" the CIA's reported assessment that Russia intervened to help him win the closely-contested US election against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
Trump told Fox News that the claim as another "excuse" pushed by Democrats to explain his upset victory against Hillary.
"It's just another excuse. I don't believe it," Trump said. "...Every week it's another excuse. We had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College."
The 70-year-old real estate billionaire-turned-politician spoke at length about his Cabinet selection process, defending his decision to tap several military generals while previewing an announcement soon on his secretary of state choice.
The Republican leader vowed as well to "clean" up and "speed" up government agencies, without necessarily dismantling outgoing President Barack Obama's legacy.
But while staying careful not to personally criticize the sitting president over his intelligence agencies' analysis on foreign cyber-interference in the election, Trump made clear he rejects their assessment so far.
"Nobody really knows, and hacking is very interesting. Once they hack, if you don't catch them in the act you're not going to catch them," he said. "They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place."
Trump was responding to a Washington Post report that the CIA concluded in a secret assessment that Russia interfered in the race to boost Trump.
Intelligence agencies reportedly found individuals connected to the Russian government gave WikiLeaks hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, as well as from Hillary Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta - though did not have "specific intelligence" showing Kremlin officials directed the activity.
Shortly before the interview with Trump was aired today, a bipartisan group of senators described the Russia interference reports as serious.
"For years, foreign adversaries have directed cyberattacks at America's physical, economic, and military infrastructure, while stealing our intellectual property. Now our democratic institutions have been targeted. Recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American,' Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Schumer and Jack Reed, said in a statement.
"Democrats and Republicans must work together, and across the jurisdictional lines of the Congress, to examine these recent incidents thoroughly and devise comprehensive solutions to deter and defend against further cyberattacks. This cannot become a partisan issue. The stakes are too high for our country," the statement said.
Amid the CIA findings, the White House also said on Friday that President Obama has ordered his intelligence agencies to conduct a full review of hacking during the 2016 election and present their findings before he leaves office.
Trump's transition team responded by saying the election "ended a long time ago" and "it's now time to move on.
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"Every week it's another excuse. We had a massive
landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College," Trump said in the interview.
Trump has 306 electoral votes in the electoral college as against 232 of Clinton, who notably received 2.5 million more votes than he got.
Trump said that this was an assessment of the CIA as being reported in the news media.
"I'm not sure they put it out. I think the Democrats are putting it out because they suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of politics in this country. Frankly, I think they're putting it out. It's ridiculous," he said.
"We ought to get back to making America great again, which is what we're going to do. And we've already started the process," he added.
Trump claimed that the intelligence community is not sure about who were behind the hacking and they are fighting among themselves.
"Of course, we're going to make changes at the top (in these intelligence agencies). I mean, we're going to have different people coming in because we have our people, they have their people. I have great respect for them. But if you read the stories, the various stories, they're disputing. And certain groups don't necessarily agree. Personally, it could be Russia. I don't really think it is. But who knows? I don't know either. They don't know and I don't know," he reiterated.
Responding to a question that he is receiving just one intelligence briefing every week, Trump said he does not want to be told the same thing everyday.
"I'm like a smart person. I don't have to be told the same thing and the same words every single day for the next eight years. I don't need that. But I do say if something should change, let us know," he said.
Trump said he would also like to know who was involved in the hacking when he was asked about the investigations being ordered in this regard by outgoing President Barack Obama.
"I think President Obama's been terrific. He's been very respectful of the process and everything else. So, I saw that. I want it (investigations) too. I think it's great. I don't want anyone hacking us. I'm not only talking about countries. I'm talking about anyone, period," he said.
Asked if there was a political motive, he said, "It could be. I mean, it could be. Hey, look, we had many people saying one of the great victories of all time. They're very embarrassed," he said.
