The stunning claim was made during a White House briefing following a meeting between Trump and his National Security Council over Russian actions.
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told reporters that: “The intelligence community continues to be concerned, both about the midterms and the 2020 presidential election.
“We know the Russians have tried to hack info and steal information from candidates and government officials alike.
“We continue to see a pervasive campaign by Russia to try to weaken and divide the United States.”
Both Mr Coats and Trump’s national security advisor John Bolton controversially claimed the Trump administration is taking decisive action to combat Russian interference.
Mr Coats claimed that: “The President has specifically directed us to make the matter of election meddling a top priority and we are doing that.”
FBI Director Chris Wray added Russia was using “traditional intelligence trade craft” and computer hacking to try and influence US elections.
He refused to comment specifically on what was being done to combat to combat Russian efforts for security reasons.
US Cyber Command Chief Paul Nakasone said he’d received direct orders from Trump to fight Russian meddling.
He said: “My guidance and the direction from the President and Secretary of Defence is very clear: We’re not going to accept meddling in elections.
“It’s very unambiguous.”
Following the briefing, the White House shared a statement saying the administration will carry on taking “strong action to secure our election systems and the process”.
However, the statement comes just weeks after Trump caused outrage by suggesting, following a meeting with Putin, that Russia wouldn’t have “any reason” to hack US elections.
Former CIA Director John Brennan claimed Trump’s performance during the press conference was “nothing short of treasonous”.
There have long been allegations that the Russian government intervened in the 2016 US Presidential Election to help Trump.
A joint report by the CIA, FBI and other security agencies was published in January 2017 alleging that Russian action ahead of the 2016 vote was designed to help the Trump campaign.
An official investigation into the hacking, and any possible Trump campaign collaboration, is being investigated by special prosecutor Robert Mueller.
Trump has repeatedly described the investigation as a “witch hunt”.