Pentagon reverses itself and reveals Vladimir Putin ‘tried to muck around’ in midterm elections

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Saturday revealed that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin attempted to meddle in America’s 2018 midterm elections.

Mattis made the remarks while speaking at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in California.

"There is no doubt the relationship has worsened. [Putin] tried again to muck around in our elections this last month and we are seeing a continued effort along those lines," Mattis said.

CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta said "this is probably the revelation of the day."

"I think that’s pretty striking given the fact that just before those midterms, the DHS Secretary ... other Trump admin officials were trying to downplay this notion that the Russian's were going to try and meddle in the midterm elections," Acosta explained.

"So this is a pretty starting revelation from the Defense Secretary," he added.

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