similar answer moments later. despite the president's continued reluctance to single out russia as a threat to the united states, today more diplomatic shots were fired over the kremlin interference in the u.s. election. the state department is forcing russia to shut down the consulate in san francisco and scale back staff at annexes in washington and new york. the move? retaliation for vladimir putin's order last month to have the u.s. cut 755 diplomatic personnel from russia. but as "the new york times" reports tonight, quote, the state department's response seemed calculated to avoid deepening the rift with russia. the administration is not expelling any russian diplomatic personnel from the united states. nor did it tough the staff at russia's mane embassy in waekt. >> of the robert costa national political reporter. vivian salama, incoming nbc news national reporter. our white house reporter