Biden Administration to Formally Accuse Russia of Interfering in the 2024 U.S. Election
The Biden administration is set to accuse Russia of engaging in a prolonged disinformation campaign aimed at influencing the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This campaign allegedly involves the use of Kremlin-controlled media and online platforms to mislead American voters, according to sources familiar with the matter. These accusations are expected to be accompanied by public condemnations from the White House and legal actions announced by the Justice Department later today, according to CNN.
Targeting Kremlin Media and Disinformation
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.
Actions and Responses from the Justice Department
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.
RT, previously known as Russia Today, operates television and online platforms worldwide that promote the Kremlin’s agenda. The Justice Department required RT America to register as a foreign agent in 2017 after U.S. intelligence concluded that the outlet was involved in Russia’s attempts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election.
Ongoing Concerns About Foreign Influence
The Biden administration’s expected announcements follow previous efforts to blunt RT’s influence. In July, the Justice Department accused an RT employee of being involved in a scheme that utilized a network of approximately 1,000 social media accounts to spread disinformation about the Ukraine war and other topics. U.S. officials assert that the Kremlin funded this scheme, although the Russian government has denied these allegations.
Efforts to reach RT for comment on the expected announcements were unsuccessful, and the Social Design Agency could not be contacted for a statement.
The issue of foreign interference in U.S. elections has become more pronounced since Russia’s actions in 2016, which included hacking the Democratic National Committee and leaking documents to undermine Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. In the 2024 election, U.S. officials are particularly concerned about Iran’s alleged adoption of similar tactics, including hacking and leaking sensitive information. Earlier this year, Iranian hackers reportedly targeted the Trump campaign, stealing internal documents and leaking them to the media.
The Role of China and Election Security
U.S. officials are also closely monitoring China, which they believe uses a vast network of online accounts to influence American voters. Although Chinese President Xi Jinping assured President Biden in November 2023 that China would not interfere in the 2024 U.S. election, officials remain vigilant.
Despite these concerns, experts maintain that the U.S. voting process remains secure. There is no evidence of any foreign or domestic efforts successfully altering vote tallies in previous elections. According to Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 97% of registered voters in the 2024 election will cast their ballots in jurisdictions with verified paper records, enhancing transparency around the vote.
“Election infrastructure has never been more secure,” Easterly stated earlier this week.
