U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement after today’s announcement by the U.S. Justice Department’s special counsel of indictments against 12 Russian military officers that include charges of money laundering and cyber attacks on local, state and federal elections and political offices to boost Trump’s prospects in the 2016 election:

“The Justice Department indictment of top level Russian officials is stunning. Putin should extradite the Russian officials to the United States for prosecution. Trump should demand it as well, and quit denying that a criminal conspiracy took place. Cyber attacks on our elections and money laundering demand the strongest response.  Trump’s hope for a ‘good relationship’ is a weak response. It is disconcerting that even after Trump was briefed on these indictments, he continues to call the investigation a ‘witch hunt.’  Trump must acknowledge that the problem is not the investigation; the problem is Russia’s malign cyber attack on America’s foundation – our fair and free elections. Floridians should be outraged that Russia targeted Florida’s state and local elections offices.  The malign hacking  took place in our own backyard. We need leaders who will stand up to Putin and not kowtow with weak messages of regarding ‘hope for a good relationship.’”

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