WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of the November elections, the Biden Administration announced today their plans to counter Russia’s influence on our elections. Officials said Russia has been using a slew of resources to try to sway American voters for the upcoming election.
Officials said there are several methods the Kremlin is using, like influencers, fake profiles, using AI generated content and other methods to target voters, spread disinformation and spread division.
The Biden Administration unveiled new sanctions, a handful of indictments and seized more than 30 web domains that officials claim Russia was using to spread Russian propaganda and disinformation. The Department of Justice indicted two Russian nationals who were employees of the Russian state-controlled media outlet RT, formerly known as Russia Today. They claimed the two employees used ten million dollars to publish RT curated content, which generated millions of views to Americans with hidden Russian government messaging. The DOJ claims the videos that were pushed out on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X and YouTube. The messages claimed to touch on issues like immigration and inflation, just to name a few. The DOJ said most of the videos aim to amplify domestic divisions in the United States. Officials say Russia is going through great lengths to undermine our democratic institutions.
“Foreign governments should know we will not tolerate actors intentionally interfering and undermining free and fair elections,” said Matthew Miller, State Dept. Spokesperson.
Leading up to the November elections, officials have been warning about foreign influence on our elections, especially from Russia. Spy agencies have shared that Russia has favored former President Donald Trump. Agencies said they assessed Moscow tried to help Trump win in 2016 and again in 2020.
