The biggest political story since Election Day has been what impact Russia had after being accused of hacking the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Despite denial from Donald Trump and Russia, a new report shows that an advisor to the president-elect was in private contact with the Kremlin over the holidays.

Trump trouble

Even before being elected president, Donald Trump had been accused of having some type of relationship with Russia and President Vladimir Putin. The billionaire real estate mogul has denied any connection, despite keeping his tax returns private, and praising the Russian leader on various occasions.

After the election, the CIA and FBI confirmed that Russia was behind the hack of the DNC, with the goal of electing Trump. In addition, CNN broke an exclusive report earlier this week that claimed Russia had plans to blackmail the president-elect using "compromising" information. The latest twist in the story comes with a top advisor to Trump speaking to a top Russian official last month, as reported by The Hill on January 13.

According to the report, incoming National Security Advisor, Retired Gen. Michael Flynn, took part in a text message conversation with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislysk.

The date of the initial conversation has been placed as December 28, which is just one day before President Obama ordered crippling sanctions on Russia for their reported part in the DNC hack. In addition, The Washington Post adds that Kislysk and Flynn were in contact on the day Obama made his announcement about the sanctions.

Trump denial

In The Washington Post article, it cites the "Logan Act," which was put in place to ban " United States' citizens from correspondence intending to influence a foreign government about 'disputes' with the United States." The rarely enforced Logan Act has been brought up over the last month, as the alleged relationship between Donald Trump and Russia heats up in the news.

As expected, the Trump transition team is denying the report, with incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer explaining that the conversation between Flynn and Kislysk was only to discuss the holidays, and a potential future meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Countdown

In one week, Donald Trump will make his way to the White House after being sworn in as the next commander in chief. Despite the backlash over his alleged Russian connections, the former host of "The Apprentice" is expected to continue his denial of any link back to Putin and the Kremlin.
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