Former Independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin argued Monday that President-elect Donald Trump is attempting to hide Russia’s role in his election.
McMullin, a former CIA operative who ran as a conservative alternative to Trump, added that Russian leader Vladimir Putin actively backed the businessman’s White House run.
{mosads}A secret CIA assessment concluded that Russia intervened in the U.S. presidential election in an effort to help Trump win, according to reports from over the weekend.
Intelligence agencies have identified various individuals who helped the Russian government leak hacked documents from several Democratic sources to WikiLeaks.
Compromised sources included the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager.
Trump said in an interview aired Sunday it is “ridiculous” Russia aided him, calling it “another excuse” Democrats are using to explain Clinton’s loss.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday called the CIA’s findings “disturbing,” adding the Senate Intelligence Committee should investigate further.