GOP Congressman: Can't, not going to defend #Trump view on #Russia hacking https://t.co/EbJcClg0rk – @RepKinzinger on #TheLead

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 29, 2016

During an appearance on CNN this afternoon, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) stated that he just couldn’t get behind President-elect Donald Trump’s reluctance to accept the assessments of the intelligence community when it comes to Russia hacking the election.

Speaking to anchor Jake Tapper following President Obama imposing sanctions on Russia over the alleged interference, Kinzinger was asked if he could defend Trump’s dismissive attitude towards the intelligence findings.

“I can’t defend that and I am not going to,” the GOP lawmaker responded. “I think to disparage the intel-gathering mechanisms that we have here is not the right answer.”

Kinzinger also added that he hopes Trump’s views change on Inauguration Day because, in his opinion, America has ceded a lot of its role in the world to Russia. He noted that Russia’s power is overrated as its economy is the size of Italy’s.

Trump has called the CIA’s assessment that Russia intervened in the election to help him “ridiculous” and it’s been reported that he’s not been taking his daily intelligence briefings. In his statement on the Russian sanctions today, Trump said he will meet with the intelligence leaders soon.

Watch the clip above, via CNN.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Justin Baragona on Twitter: @justinbaragona

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