Lame Duck: The United States as we mentioned last night, deported 35 supposedly Russian spies in response to Russia's supposed intervention in last month's presidential election, causing further escalation in tensions between the two countries.
The US State Department said 35 diplomatic and intelligence officials from the Russian embassy in Washington DC and its consulate San Francisco were declared "persona non grata", and were given 72 hours to leave the country by themselves and their families.
President Barack Obama also announced the closure of two Russian associations in New York and Maryland, which were used by Russian officials to collect information.
“I announced sanctions on nine entities and individuals: GRU and FSB, two Russian services πληροφοριών, τέσσερις μεμονωμένοι αξιωματικοί της GRU, και τρεις εταιρείες που παρείχαν υλική υποστήριξη σε businesses in GRU cyber space," President Barack Obama said in his announcement.
Obama accused Russia of "aggressive harassment," saying "all Americans should be alarmed by Russia's actions." He believes that hacking "could only be organized by the highest levels of the Russian government." Of course, as we mentioned yesterday, there is still no evidence or if there is, it has not been announced.
The move came as a retaliation for the hacking that took place during the election last month on the logistics of the Democratic Party and the Hillary Clinton campaign.
Of course, Russia denies any involvement and called the Obama administration's allegations "unfounded," saying it was unhappy with the last days of the Obama administration.
So immediately after Obama's announcements on Thursday, the Russian embassy in London, published a photo with a duckling that says the word "Lame."
President Obama expelled 35 🇷🇺 diplomats in Cold War already vu. As everybody, incl 🇺🇸 people, will be glad to see the last of this hapless Adm. pic.twitter.com/mleqA16H8D
- Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) December 29, 2016
The photo was published with an obvious reference to Obama, who is nearing the end of his term in the White House as a "lame duck" after almost eight years as President of the United States.
