Donald Trump’s team slammed the CIA for their report on Russia’s alleged interference with the 2016 election

“These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction,” Trump’s transition team said in a terse statement Friday, calling for the country to “move on.”

Despite their bluster, however, it is a question many have thought worthy of exploration.

How deep do the ties between Trump and Russia run?

He has certainly had complimentary things to say about their leader, Vladimir Putin, and has suggested that Russia be given more of a lead in Syria and other world affairs.

He has pulled people into his circle who are known to have been involved in Russian affairs before, such as his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort.

Does any of that draw a direct line between Trump and Russia?

Not at all, but it is enough that anyone paying attention should be at least somewhat queasy about the connection.

I’m not alone in this train of thought. Evan McMullin, the conservative independent candidate and former CIA operative, who launched a longshot bid for the presidency in August of this year has not lowered the heat on Trump one degree, since the election concluded.

In a series of tweets, McMullin lambasted Trump’s choice of Exxon Mobil CEO, Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State.

“It must be clear that Donald Trump is not a loyal American and we should prepare for the next four years accordingly,” McMullin wrote on Twitter.

McMullin argued that with the selection of Tillerson, “Trump has identified a potential secretary of state unlikely to oppose Trump’s alignment with Putin.”

He also accused Trump of “purposely dismantling barriers that protect our nation from dangerous Russian subversion, which he has also welcomed.”

Because of the presence of Exxon within Russia, Tillerson has ties with Putin, and would be one more Trump connection to the Russian government.

In Tillerson, Trump has identified a potential secretary of state unlikely to oppose Trump's alignment with Putin. https://t.co/xc8aWzOOW6

— Evan McMullin (@EvanMcMullin) December 10, 2016

.@realDonaldTrump is purposely dismantling barriers that protect our nation from dangerous Russian subversion, which he has also welcomed.

— Evan McMullin (@EvanMcMullin) December 10, 2016

It must be clear that Donald Trump is not a loyal American and we should prepare for the next four years accordingly. @realDonaldTrump

— Evan McMullin (@EvanMcMullin) December 10, 2016

It is highly unlikely that McMullin is just going to back off of this.

Good.

Too many on the conservative side of the fence have thrown in the towel, choosing to take a wait-and-see approach, as a result of what seems like a defeat.

McMullin may never be president, but he can certainly be a sentry.