Secretary of State Rex Tillerson admitted to U.S. diplomats in a private meeting Tuesday that Russia “interfered in democratic processes here,” according to a report.
Tillerson’s remarks, reported by the Daily Beast, were more strident than his previous public comments, conflicting as well with President Trump’s stance that speculation Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election is “fake news” designed to undermine his legitimacy as commander in chief.
In April, Tillerson said the “question of Russian interference” was “fairly well-established.”
A U.S. intelligence assessment in January determined that Russia worked to tip the election in Trump’s favor.
Tillerson, who is currently overseeing a restructure of the State Department, also said during the town hall that the agency’s “footprints in places like Paris and Rome are too large.”
The secretary of state also made news Tuesday for saying he was open to a meeting with North Korean officials “without precondition.”
The White House, however, quickly walked back the apparent change in policy.
