NBC News is reporting that the Obama administration is prepping for “an unprecedented cyber covert action against Russia in retaliation for alleged Russian interference in the American presidential election,” according to U.S intelligence officials. 

The Central Intelligence Agency is currently delivering options to the White House “for a wide-ranging ‘clandestine’ cyber operation designed to harass and ‘embarrass’ the Kremlin leadership.”

From the report:

The sources did not elaborate on the exact measures the CIA was considering, but said the agency had already begun opening cyber doors, selecting targets and making other preparations for an operation. Former intelligence officers told NBC News that the agency had gathered reams of documents that could expose unsavory tactics by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vice President Joe Biden spoke with NBC’s Chuck Todd, saying, “We’re sending a message [to Putin and that] it will be at the time of our choosing, and under the circumstances that will have the greatest impact."

Todd asked the vice president if the American public will know when the message is sent, Biden replied, “Hope not.”

It’s now up to President Obama if the CIA operations is a go. The hope is to dredge up something on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s financial dealing and to answer the rumors swirling among Democrats that Russia is behind recent e-mail leaks surrounding the presidential election:

The covert action plan is designed to protect the U.S. election system and insure that Russian hackers can't interfere with the November vote, officials say. Another goal is to send a message to Russia that it has crossed a line, officials say.