Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said Sunday that he does not believe the United States should limit itself in its response to Russia’s cyber attacks.

“I think we should not limit ourselves when cyber is the means used in aggression against us,” Carter told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“I don’t think it should be a military, or purely military response,” he said.

Carter called the attacks “aggressive” when asked if he agreed with Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainKelly's lead widens to 10 points in Arizona Senate race: poll COVID response shows a way forward on private gun sale checks Trump pulls into must-win Arizona trailing in polls MORE (R-Ariz.) that Russia’s cyber attacks are an act of war.

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“Well, whatever you call it, it’s an aggressive act against our very democracy and I think that’s why all Americans need to regard it very seriously,” he said.