Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday said Wednesday the Trump administration takes the continued threat of Russian election meddling "very seriously."
Pence appeared at a Washington, D.C. event sponsored by Axios, where he discussed several topics, ranging from the White House's handling of Rob Porter to his trip at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
"There were efforts by Russia and likely by other countries to involve or influence American elections and we take that very seriously," Pence said. "As we speak that inquiry investigation continues to be ongoing, but it's also forward-looking."
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and CIA Director Mike Pompeo told lawmakers on Tuesday that they believe Russia will try to interfere in the 2018 midterms. Pence did not directly address the question about whether he agreed with the two intelligence officials, but he insisted that the administration was taking steps to ensure that state election systems and U.S. infrastructure was protected.
"We have discussed plans going forward to ensure meddling in our elections by Russians or other powers around the world will be rebutted and that we’ll continue to develop the kind of technologies that ensure and maintain the integrity of our electoral system," he said of his briefings with U.S. intelligence officials.
"We will continue to develop the kind of technologies that ensure and maintain the integrity of our electoral system," Pence said.
Pence later reiterated that he believes Russia had "no impact" on the election results back in 2016 when President Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton.
"Let me say again, the encouraging word is that it is the universal conclusion of our intelligence community that there was no impact on the outcome of the 2016 election from any foreign meddling in our elections," Pence said. "I think that bears repeating."