The U.S. government is accusing Russia of orchestrating a 2024 election influence operation, alleging the Kremlin is behind a sweeping disinformation campaign.
CNN first reported on Wednesday that the Biden administration plans to accuse Moscow of using Kremlin-run media and other online platforms to target U.S. voters with disinformation in a sustained effort to sway the election's outcome.
According to four sources who spoke to CNN, the disinformation campaign is being channeled through both American and non-American voices.
The actions represent the Biden administration's most significant public response yet to alleged Russian influence operations targeting American voters. These efforts come just over a month after Iran attempted to hack both major party presidential campaigns.
The Intellectualist reports on the formal announcement:
RT, the state-run Russian media outlet, is anticipated to be a focal point of the administration's announcement. U.S. officials view RT as a crucial element in the Kremlin's propaganda machinery. The disinformation campaign reportedly leverages both American and non-American voices to spread false narratives, according to multiple sources.
This move by the Biden administration is seen as its most significant response to date against Russian influence operations targeting U.S. elections. It follows earlier actions by the U.S. government, which also accused Iran of attempting to interfere in the election process. These developments underscore the continued concerns among U.S. officials regarding foreign efforts to sway the outcome of the upcoming election.
Attorney General Merrick Garland will convene a meeting today of the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force, which will include senior law enforcement officials, such as FBI Director Christopher Wray. This meeting is part of a broader strategy to counter foreign influence in U.S. elections.
In addition to RT, the administration is expected to name the Social Design Agency, a Russian entity previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for its role in disseminating fake news in Europe. These actions are part of a concerted effort to expose and counteract Russian disinformation tactics.
Russia has been accused of trying to influence U.S. elections, most notably the 2016 presidential election. U.S. intelligence agencies, including the FBI, CIA and NSA, concluded that Russia engaged in coordinated efforts to interfere in the election.
RT has often been viewed as part of this broader influence strategy. RT has been accused of promoting pro-Russian narratives and sowing discord in the West through biased reporting. Additionally, Russia is said to have used social media platforms to spread disinformation and amplify divisive political content, aiming to undermine trust in the electoral process.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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