Officials are talking about imposing economic sanctions against Russia following cyberattacks on Democratic Party organizations, but that would mean the United States would have to publicly accuse Russian-backed hackers or the government itself, sources have told The Wall Street Journal.
The United States does not often officially place blame for cyberattacks, but it did make an exception in 2014 against North Korea in response to a massive attack on Sony Pictures.
It is widely believed that Russia was behind attacks on several Democratic groups, including the attack on the Democratic National Committee's servers that led to the release of several damaging emails indicating the DNC favored eventual nominee Hillary Clinton over challenger Bernie Sanders. That leak led to the resignation of committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the firings of several key committee employees.
In addition, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, told reporters this week she knows "for sure it was the Russians" who were behind a cyber attack on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
"This is an electronic Watergate," Pelosi said. "The Russians broke in. Who did they give the information to? I don't know. Who dumped it? I don't know."
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said the United States is not quite ready to blame Russia for the attacks and the president's actions appear to be in alignment. However, the United States has already levied sanctions on Russia over its activities in Ukraine.
The FBI and other agencies have been studying the hacks, and several officials say they were most likely done by hackers affiliated with Russia.
GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has often praised Russian President Vladimir Putin's leadership abilities, has denied any connection to the attacks on the DNC or other Democratic Party agencies.
"It is so far-fetched," Trump said last month. "It's so ridiculous. Honestly, I wish I had that power."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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