Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on Russian hacking directed at the U.S. election system:

“Based on media reports I have seen and briefings I have received, I can only conclude that the Russian government is attempting to interfere in our election with the goal of electing Donald Trump.

“The hacking of political institutions, the recent hacking of John Podesta’s email account and the release of other faked documents are clear efforts to discredit the Clinton campaign and represent yet another unacceptable step in what appears to be an attempt by the Russians to fix this election. Every elected official and candidate in the United States, including Trump, should vocally and forcefully reject these efforts.

“I agree with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Homeland Security that only the senior-most government officials in Russia could have ordered this effort, and it is up to President Putin to call it off. The administration should be prepared to take forceful action to respond to Russian actions if President Putin is unwilling to do so.

“Americans should not and will not stand for these illegal and illegitimate attempts by the heirs of the KGB to corrupt our election system.”