Conway: Trump campaign 'absolutely' did not have contact with Russians

Conway: Trump campaign 'absolutely' did not have contact with Russians
By Rebecca Savransky - 12-18-16 10:56 AM EST

Donald Trump aide Kellyanne Conway said Sunday that the president-elect's campaign was not in contact with Russians trying to interfere in the U.S. presidential election.

"Absolutely not," she said on CBS's "Face The Nation" when asked if anyone involved in the Trump campaign had contact with Russians who were trying to meddle in the vote.

"Those conversations never happened. I hear people saying it like it's fact on television."

A top Russian diplomat and Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said last month that Russian experts had contact with some members of the president-elect's staff during the presidential campaign.

Conway said the assertion that the Trump campaign was in communication with Russians is "not only inaccurate and false, but it's dangerous."

"And it does undermine our democracy," she added.

Conway also called it "unfortunate" that members of the Electoral College are trying to use reports of Russian interference to change the results of the election.

"I think that actually undermines our democracy more than any other conversation that we're having right now," she said.

Conway questioned where the evidence is that Russia intervened in the presidential election to help Trump win the White House.

"If the CIA Director Brennan and others at the top are serious about turning over evidence ... they should do that," she said.

"They should not be leaking to the media, if there's evidence, let's see it."

When asked about whether Trump approves of President Obama's decision to retaliate against the Russians for hacking into the election, Conway said Trump "respects" the right of Obama to do "what he sees is necessary."

"It does seem to be a political response at this point because it seems like the president is under pressure from Team Hillary, who can't accept the election results," she said.

"It's very clear that President Obama could have 'retaliated' months ago if they were actually concerned about this and concerned about this affecting the election."