Baldwin decries Russian interference, calls it attack

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is decrying Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, calling it “an attack on democracy.”

But her Republican counterpart Sen. Ron Johnson was more measured in his response Friday. Johnson says “any foreign interference in our elections is unacceptable.”

A sweeping grand jury indictment of 12 Russians on Friday accused the Russians of hacking into Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and the Democratic Party, releasing stolen communications.

Baldwin says, “This isn’t a hoax and the Special Counsel’s investigation is not a witch hunt.” She says Russian President Vladimir Putin “directed this attack and should be held accountable.”

Johnson was among a group of senators who visited Russia last week. He says, “Russia was warned that any future attempts would further harm our already stressed relationship.”