Putin orders 755 U.S. diplomats to leave Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered more than 700 U.S. diplomats to leave the country.

It comes after Congress approved sanctions against Russia for its role in last year's presidential election.

It's a diplomatic downsizing in Russia.

Vladimir Putin officially ordered the U.S. to cut 755 diplomatic posts in Russia by September 1st-

A retaliation the Russian president has been hinting at for days.

Putin said, "We are measured in our reactions and patient. But at some point, we will have to respond. It is impossible to endlessly endure offensive behavior towards our country."

The Russians will also seize two U.S. properties - a compound where American diplomats would vacation, and a storage warehouse used by the U.S. Embassy.

Putin's order is the latest blow to relations between Washington and Moscow, which President Trump has already described being at an all-time low.

It comes as a direct response to Congress overwhelmingly passing sweeping new sanctions against Russia punishing them for the 2016 election interference among other things.

After some initial confusion - the White House announced Friday that the president intends to sign the new sanctions into law.

The Russia debacle is likely near the top of a long list of issues for now former Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly who is about to be sworn in as the new White House Chief of Staff, replacing Reince Priebus after just 6 months on the job.

“Reince is a good man. John Kelly will do a fantastic job. General Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far, respected by everybody. He's a great, great American. Reince is a good man," said Trump.

The retired four-star general hopes to re-boot a west wing that just suffered a major legislative defeat on healthcare and very public staff infighting with key personnel departures over the last few weeks.

If Russia’s retaliation seems familiar, it could be because President Obama did a similar thing to them late last year. He expelled 35 Russian diplomats and also shut down two Russian compounds in the U.S.

As for Putin, he reportedly said he has additional options for further retaliation against American interests, but added he hopes it won't come to that.