Obama Press Conference: Key Takeaways On Russia, Syria, Trump And A Possible Retaliation

President Barack Obama held a press conference on Friday, which could likely be his last press conference of 2016. Obama spoke about a wide range of issues and also took questions from the press, covering a range of issues in a candid news conference.

President Obama On Russia

There have been speculations and recently some confirmations about Russia’s alleged interference in the U.S. elections. President Obama talking on Russia, revealed that during a one-to-one meeting with Vladimir Putin in China, he had told Putin to “Cut it out” or there would be consequences, as reported in The Guardian.

President Obama on Russia interfering in US election: 'We need to take action and we will' – NPR via CNN https://t.co/qBpQcw5r3Y

— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) December 16, 2016

Obama said that there was no further hacking after the warning to Putin. He also clarified that the hacking in no way had hampered the actual voting or vote counting and was limited to the DNC hacking. Obama also confirmed that such an act of hacking the emails and handing them over to WikiLeaks to interfere with the U.S. elections could have only been approved by the highest level of Russian authorities.

“I mean, this is a pretty hierarchical operation last I checked. It is not in the habit of Russian official to go off rogue and decide to tamper with the U.S. election process without Vladimir Putin knowing about it.”

It is worth noting that all 17 federal intelligence agencies have confirmed Russia’s involvement in the email hacking that was carried out to benefit Trump and to jeopardize Hillary Clinton’s campaign using WikiLeaks as a front.

Obama On Retaliation Against Russia

President Obama unequivocally said that U.S. would retaliate to the interference in the elections carried out with the hacking of emails. He made it very clear that any foreign government who tries to impact the U.S. elections will have to face the consequences. He further added that there would be a response but at the time and place that U.S. may choose.

'Time and place of our own choosing': Obama vows to take action in response to alleged Russian hacking https://t.co/RSxdjvkrJn

— RT (@RT_com) December 16, 2016

Russian President Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Pesko said that “either stop talking about it or finally produce some evidence. Otherwise, it all begins to look unseemly.”

Obama, during his press conference, also clarified that his office would try and make the evidence against Russia public. However, most of it would not be revealed as it was essential to protect the sources and methods. He further added that most of it would remain classified, as a part of catching the Cyber criminals was by knowing certain things about them that they do not want the security agencies to know.

Obama On Clinton’s Media Coverage

During the press conference, President Obama described the coverage on Hillary Clinton’s hacked email by the media as “an obsession.” He further added that both in traditional media and social media, every piece of new information on Clinton by WikiLeaks was widely circulated.

Obama’s views on media were quite clear during the press conference. He mentioned it clearly that, according to him, the coverage was unfair to Clinton.

“I don’t think she was treated fairly during the election. I think the coverage of her and the issues was troubling.”

Obama On Syria

As expected, there were several questions on Syria during the Obama’s press conference. President Obama mentioned that reaching a diplomatic resolution in Syria was one of the hardest issues he had faced in the office.

Obama put the blame on Russia, Iran and Syrian regimes for the present situation in Syria and for killing innocent civilians. He said that by slaughtering people, the Assad regime cannot get legitimacy. Obama also opened up about feeling responsible for the loss of life in Aleppo. He said, as the president of the U.S., he has always felt responsible for the loss of life in war-torn countries.

The Obama administration had always had a stand against military intervention in Syria. He justified his stand as military intervention would mean taking over Syria, which was not going to be cheap. He further added, “In that circumstance, I have to make a decision as president as to what is best.”

Obama On Trump

Questions regarding his relationship with Trump’s team was raised during Obama’s press conference. Obama tried downplaying the tension between his office and Trump’s team on their opposing views of Russia’s involvement in the hacking of Podesta’s emails.

Obama added that his conversation with Trump has been “Cordial.” Obama also revealed that he had given some specific suggestions to Trump about maintaining the integrity, effectiveness, and cohesion of the office over democratic institutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LuVhZNAA8g

[Featured Image by Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Getty Images]