[Mhiz Rebecca]

After several weeks of denial over
the involvement of Russia in the U.S.
presidential election, incoming
President Donald Trump has finally
conceded that the Russians actually
carried out the hacking.
Mr. Trump, who spoke at his first
press conference since election on
Wednesday, however denied that he
had links with Russia over the
hacking to sway the election in his
favour.
When asked by a reporter as to what
he would say to Russian President
Vladimir Putin about the hacking, he
responded: “He shouldn’t have done
it. I don’t believe he will be doing it
more.
“As far as hacking, I think it was
Russia. But I think we also get
hacked by other countries and other
people”, he said.
He promised to protect the U.S. cyber
space when he assumes presidency
on Jan. 20, berating the Democratic
Party for doing a poor job in
defending its systems.
“And we’re going to put those minds
together, and we’re going to form a
defense. And I have to say this also
— the Democratic National
Committee was totally open to be
hacked.
“They did a very poor job. They
could have had hacking defense,
which we had. And I will give Reince
Priebus credit because when Reince
saw what was happening in the
world and with this country, he went
out and went to various firms and
ordered a very, very strong hacking
defense.
“And they tried to hack the
Republican National Committee, and
they were unable to break through.
We have to do that for our country.
It’s very important.”
The President-elect, however, dismissed reports
that Russia had his dossiers, saying they would
have released it if they had.
“Well, you know, President Putin and Russia put
out a statement today that this fake news was
indeed fake news. They said it totally never
happened.
“Now somebody would say, “oh, of course he’s
going to say that” — I respected the fact that he
said that. And I will be honest, I think if he did
have something they would have released it. They
would’ve been glad to release it.”
He also, in a rare case, condemned Mr. Putin’s
action, saying “hacking is bad” and that he should
not be doing it.
“He shouldn’t be doing it. He won’t be doing it.
Russia will have much greater respect for our
country when I’m leading than when other people
have led it. You will see that.
“Russia will respect our country more. He
shouldn’t have done it. I don’t believe that he will
be doing it more now.”
Mr. Trump described Mr. Putin’s likeness for him
over Democratic Hillary Clinton as an asset.
“Well, if Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that
an asset, not a liability because we have a
horrible relationship with Russia.
“Russia can help us fight ISIS, which by the way is
number one tricky. I mean, if you look, this
administration created ISIS by leaving at the
wrong time. The void was created, ISIS was
formed.
“If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what folks?
That’s called an asset not a liability. Now I don’t
know that I am going to get along with Vladimir
Putin,” he said.
Mr. Trump also said he would present a
replacement for the Affordable Care Act “very
soon,” insisting that it is a disaster.
“We’re going to have a healthcare that is far less
expensive and far better. Okay.”
According to him, he would distance himself from
his businesses.
On the possible conflict of interest with his
business and the nomination of close family
members, Mr. Trump argued that there was no
subsisting law against his actions.
The conflict-of-interest law, however, does apply
to his cabinet nominees, which is something that
could become thorny — in particular given their
wealth.
The Office of Government Ethics has been very
aggressive in pointing that out, and some hearings
have already been delayed, in part, because of
incomplete filings.
The President-in-waiting also insisted that he was
going to build the wall between U.S. and Mexico.
“On the fence, it’s not a fence. It’s the wall. You
just misreported it. We’re going to build a wall.”
NAN reports that other issues Trump addressed
ahead of his inauguration included tax cuts,
cabinet members’ screening and immigration
policy, among others.