Former governor Jon Huntsman Jr. says there’s no question that Russia attempted to influence the U.S. election last year. He said that on Tuesday during his confirmation hearing to become U.S. ambassador to Russia.
Huntsman testified before members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. As nominee for ambassador to Russia he faced questions about the country’s presence in Ukraine, their support of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, and strategies for dealing with North Korea.
Huntsman also acknowledged Russia’s influence in the 2016 U.S. election.
"There is no question, underline no question, that the Russian government interfered with the U.S. election last year, and Moscow continues to meddle in the democratic processes of our friends and allies," Huntsman said.
Senators from both parties thanked Huntsman for his willingness to take on a tough job after being ambassador to China from 2009 to 2011. Before that, he was the governor of Utah for four years.
The nomination process will continue in the coming weeks.