'I feel like we sort of choked': Obama planned to leave 'digital bombs' for Russia after 2016 election interference
A new Washington Post report reveals a secret plan forged by former President Barack Obama's administration to retaliate against the Russians for their interference in the 2016 election.
The Post reports Obama approved a covert operation just before he left office to plant "cyber weapons" in Russia's infrastructure which they called "the digital equivalent of bombs that could be detonated if the United States found itself in an escalating exchange with Moscow."
Ultimately, when Obama left office, the operation was still in the planning phase, leaving implementation up to President Trump, who has had a rocky history of acknowledging Russia's involvement in the 2016 election.
RELATED: Key players in Trump-Russia connection allegations
A Senior Obama administration official tells the Washington Post, "I feel like we sort of choked" when it came to retaliating against Russia with equally strong force.
The administration had also debated cyber attacks on Russian infrastructure, releasing material the CIA had gathered that might embarrass Putin and even sanctions that would have caused the Russian economy to collapse.
SEE ALSO: Report reveals Putin gave 'specific instructions' to help elect Trump
Eventually Obama decided instead to expel 35 Russian diplomats and suspected spies from the country in December once the hacking came to light.
