Bernie Sanders warned Russia Friday to “stay out of U.S. elections” as he confirmed that American intelligence officials had briefed him on Russian efforts to help his presidential campaign.
“Let’s be clear, the Russians want to undermine American democracy by dividing us up and, unlike the current president, I stand firmly against their efforts, and any other foreign power that wants to interfere in our election,” Sanders said in a statement. “I don’t care, frankly, who Putin wants to be president. My message to Putin is clear: Stay out of American elections, and as president I will make sure that you do.”
Sanders told reporters in Bakersfield, California, that he received the intelligence briefing about a month ago. The Washington Post reported the briefing earlier Friday and said President Donald Trump and lawmakers on Capitol Hill had also been informed of the Russian involvement.
