Russia is, now, actively interfering in the U.S. general election slated for November 3 to ensure the victory of its preferred candidate -- President Donald Trump -- said ranking officials of the United States Intelligence Community (USIC) on Friday.
Russian interference was a key factor leading to Trump's winning the 2016 presidential election. This interference was the subject of an intensive investigation by former special counsel, Robert Mueller.
Russia's new pro-Trump campaign is focused on smearing and undermining the candidacy of Trump's opponent, Democratic Party presidential candidate Joe Biden, according to William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC). NCSC leads the U.S. government's national counterintelligence effort. It's a unit of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Evanina asserts Russia "is using a range of measures to primarily denigrate former Vice President Biden and what it calls the anti-Russia 'establishment'" in Washington D.C. He said Russian officials are "spreading claims about (Biden's) corruption" to try to "undermine" Biden and the Democratic Party.
"Some Kremlin-linked actors are also seeking to boost President Trump's candidacy on social media and Russian television."
Evanina warned foreign states will continue to use covert and overt influence measures to sway U.S. voters' preferences and perspectives. These countries also intend to shift U.S. policies, heighten discord among Americans and undermine the American people's confidence in the democratic process ahead of the November 3 election.
Evanina revealed apart from Russia, the foreign states he referred to include China and Iran. Both these countries appear to favor a Biden win although none have actively interfered as much as Russia has in the presidential election.
Evanina said countries do have their favorites as to should be the next U.S. president but USIC is mostly concerned about the ongoing and potential activity by China, Russia, and Iran. He pointed out China wants Trump to lose in part because China regards him as "unpredictable."
"China has been expanding its influence efforts ahead of November 2020 to shape the policy environment in the United States, pressure political figures it views as opposed to China's interests, and deflect and counter criticism of China," he said.
For its part, Iran wants to undermine U.S. democratic institutions and divide the country in advance of the 2020 elections. Like China, Iran is resorting to online influence operations such as social-media disinformation campaigns and fostering anti-American content.
Evanina said Iran's motivation is also driven by a perception Trump's reelection will result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to ignite regime change.
The U.S. National Security Council (NSC), the forum that advises and assists U.S. presidents on national security and foreign policy, said the U.S. will not tolerate foreign interference in the U.S. electoral processes and will respond to malicious foreign threats targeting democratic institutions.
"The United States is working to identify and disrupt foreign influence efforts targeting our political system, including efforts designed to suppress voter turnout or undermine public confidence in the integrity of our elections," said NSC spokesman John Ullyot.
Tony Blinken, a senior adviser to the Biden campaign, said Biden has led the fight against foreign interference for years. Biden has also refused to accept any foreign materials intended to help him in this election, which is "something that Donald Trump and his campaign have repeatedly failed to do."
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said the campaign doesn't "need or want foreign interference, and President Trump will beat Joe Biden fair and square."
