Donald Trump's chief of staff has said "actions may be taken" following alleged Russian cyber-attacks.

Reince Priebus also told Fox News Sunday that the President-elect accepted US intelligence officers' assessment that Russia tried to disrupt November's US elections by allegedly hacking Democratic Party emails.

Mr Trump was briefed on Friday by intelligence officials, who claim the Kremlin interfered to boost his chances of winning the White House.

An unclassified edition of the officials' report linked President Vladimir Putin to the apparent meddling, and said Moscow had a "clear preference" for Mr Trump over Hillary Clinton.

Mr Trump would ask the intelligence community to recommend an appropriate response, Mr Priebus added.


The President-elect, who becomes US commander-in-chief on 20 January, cast doubt on the allegations that Russia had meddled in a series of tweets before he was briefed.

Vice President Joe Biden described his attacks on the intelligence agencies as "absolutely mindless" and told him to "grow up".

:: Donald Trump: Only 'stupid people' want bad US ties with Russia

How the US election was 'hacked'

The President-elect is under pressure from within his own party to move on the issue.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has urged him to "show leadership" and punish Russia.

Mr Graham told NBC's Meet the Press: "Even though it didn't affect the outcome, they tried to interfere. And they need to pay a price.

"All I'm asking him is to acknowledge that Russia interfered, and push back.

"It could be Iran next time. It could be China."

Image: Barack Obama and Donald Trump meet at the White House

Meanwhile the outgoing president, Barack Obama, has painted a warm picture of discussions with his successor, describing Mr Trump as "very engaging and gregarious".

Interviewed on ABC's This Week, Mr Obama added that he and the tycoon were "sort of opposites in some ways".

While the Democrat placed himself at the "policy wonk end of the spectrum", he said Mr Trump had a different approach, saying: "I think that he has not spent a lot of time sweating the details."

Asked whether he liked Mr Trump, the soon to be former president said: "You know, I've enjoyed the conversations that we've had.

"He is somebody who I think is not lacking in confidence."