2016 ELECTION/RUSSIA/SANCTIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Under fire over his handling of Russian election meddling, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday [9-12-18] meant to make U.S. elections more secure by slapping sanctions on any foreigners trying to interfere in the political process. The order, signed by Trump only eight weeks before congressional elections on Nov. 6, met immediate criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers as too little, too late. Sanctions could include freezing assets, restricting foreign exchange transactions, limiting access to U.S. financial institutions, and prohibiting U.S. citizens from investing in companies involved, national security adviser John Bolton told reporters. Bolton said sanctions could be imposed during or after an election, based on evidence gathered. The State and Treasury departments would decide on additional sanctions to recommend and impose, he said.”
–Reuters Staff, “Trump Signs Order on Sanctions for U.S. Election Meddling,” The New York Times online, September 12, 2018