Defense Secretary James Mattis said Russian operatives again interfered in U.S. elections this month and took aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin during an interview Saturday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
In an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, the defense chief issued some of the strongest rhetoric a Trump administration official has offered concerning Russia in recent days.
“There is no doubt the relationship has worsened. He tried again to muck around in our elections this last month,” Mattis said. “We are seeing a continued effort around those lines.”
Mattis said the Trump administration and other NATO allies have pressed the Russian Federation repeatedly on un-democratic actions to no avail.