Former Republican presidential candidate says Russia hacked his accounts, calls for ‘crippling sanctions’ against Putin

Sen. Lindsey Graham accused Russian hackers of targeting his campaign accounts in an interview on CNN Wednesday.

Graham, a former Republican presidential candidate, said the vendor that administered his campaign’s accounts was hacked in June.

Graham, who sits on the Armed Services Committee, floated the possibility of “crippling sanctions” to help rein in Russia.

“This is not a Republican/Democratic issue. I want to punish them for interfering in our elections, trying to destabilize the entire world,” Graham said.

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer challenged Graham’s assertion, saying President-elect Trump likely would not support stronger sanctions.

“I don’t work for Donald Trump,” Graham said, “I’m in the legislative branch. We have the ability to formulate foreign policy, but he’s the commander in chief … I want to help reset the world when it comes to Russia.”

Some GOP lawmakers have opposed moves to investigate Russia’s alleged interference.

Rep. Chris Collins of New York said in a separate CNN interview on Wednesday, “I don’t think we should continue investigations because, at the end, what do we really accomplish? We need to unite the country.”

A CIA analysis of Russia’s alleged interference in the US presidential election determined that hackers close to the Russian government gained access to both the Democratic and Republican parties.

 

Read the whole story from Business Insider.