“This assault happened on Donald Trump’s watch, when he wasn’t watching,” Biden told reporters. “It is still his responsibility as president to defend American interests for the next four weeks, but rest assured that even if he does not take this seriously, I will.”
In his only remarks on the cyber espionage effort, Trump minimized the impact and suggested without evidence that China was behind the operation, contradicting Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other top officials who say the evidence points to Russia.
“The Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality. I have been fully briefed and everything is well under control,” Trump tweeted Saturday, accusing the media of being “petrified of discussing the possibility that it may be China.”
Biden said he wants to address the nation’s cyber security on a “bipartisan basis” after he takes office January 20. His remarks came during a briefing before the holidays.
“There is still so much that we don’t know, including the full scope of the breach or the extent of the damage it has caused,” Biden said. “This attack constitutes a grave risk to our national security.”
The White House didn’t immediately respond to Newsweek’s request for comment on Biden’s remarks.
Biden accused the Trump administration of being caught “off-guard and unprepared” and of withholding information.
“It is a grave risk and it continues. I see no evidence that it’s under control,” Biden said. “The Defense Department won’t even brief us. The president hasn’t identified who is responsible.”
Biden indicated that he believes Russia was responsible for the hack, which relates to a popular software program used by several government agencies, possibly giving hackers access to sensitive information related to national security. Russia has denied any involvement.
“We cannot let this go unanswered,” Biden said. “That means making clear publicly who was responsible for this attack and taking meaningful steps to hold them to account.”
Biden said he believes there are “many options” for responding to whoever is responsible for the attack but declined to elaborate.
“I promise you, there will be a response,” he said.
Biden said he would make cybersecurity a priority of his administration.
“We need international rules of the road on cybersecurity,” he said. “We have to bring along our allies and friends so we hold everyone accountable.”
