Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton waits backstage before speaking at a Democratic Party organizing event on July 25, in Charlotte, North Carolina. | Getty Clinton team says Trump is encouraging Russian espionage

PHILADELPHIA — Hillary Clinton's campaign on Wednesday said Donald Trump's suggestion that Russia should hack the Democrat's email system was an unprecedented move that has become a national security issue.

"This has to be the first time that a major presidential candidate has actively encouraged a foreign power to conduct espionage against his political opponent," said senior policy aide Jake Sullivan. "That's not hyperbole, those are just the facts. This has gone from being a matter of curiosity, and a matter of politics, to being a national security issue."


Speaking at a news conference in Florida on Wednesday morning, Trump said: "It would be interesting to see, I will tell you this. Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing."

He continued: "I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press."

The Clinton campaign has been increasingly forceful about linking Russia to the leak in recent days as expert analyses have concluded such a link is likely.

"The Russians do have a history of interfering with Democratic elections in Europe," campaign chairman John Podesta told reporters on Tuesday. "I think it would be unprecedented in the United States."

Asked about Trump's relationship with Russia, in light of the leaks, Podesta added, "He certainly has a bromance with Mr. Putin, so I don't know."

