Officials and former officials with direct knowledge of the situation explained to the chain that the National Intelligence Agency (CIA) has the task of presenting options to the White House for a "clandestine" and broad scope cyber operation against the Kremlin.
The sources did not give details on the exact measures that the CIA is considering, but said the agency had already begun to open cyber ports, select targets and make other preparations for the operation.
The former officials also added that intelligence agency reportedly met and documents that could expose Russian President Vladimir Putin.