Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is mounting investigations into Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election, saying Wednesday he wanted President Vladimir Putin "personally to pay a price."
"I'm going after Russia in every way you can go after Russia," the former presidential candidate told CNN. "I think they're one of the most destabilizing influences on the world stage.
"I think they did interfere with our elections — and I want Putin personally to pay a price."
Democrat Hillary Clinton had long accused Russia of interfering in the election — and Department of Homeland Security officials told The Washington Post last month they had evidence Russia was "scanning" state-run databases and computer voting systems.
The Obama administration also said Russia was behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and other party organizations that led to the release of emails by WikiLeaks.
Graham, who dropped out of the 2016 race last December, said Trump should be tougher on Putin.
"Trump should take a real tough tone with Russia, because if he doesn't, you'll allow Russia to begin to break apart alliances, the European Union," he said.
In addition, Graham also said the president-elect should honor his pledge to "tear up" the Iran nuclear deal, a day after President Hassan Rouhani warned the U.S. against pushing for changes in the agreement.
"Unlike the weak-kneed Obama administration, I don't believe President-elect Trump will back away from his promise simply because it is upsetting to the President of Iran," Graham said in a statement. "When it comes to the Iranians and their nuclear program, they lie and have proven to be untrustworthy.
"It's past time the Iranian regime pay a price for their provocative behavior."
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