The Biden administration unveiled a sweeping set of actions on Wednesday to counter a significant Russian government-backed campaign aimed at influencing the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
On Wednesday, actions included criminal charges against two Russian nationals, sanctions against 10 individuals and organizations, and the seizure of 32 internet domains tied to Russian disinformation campaigns.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco explained that, under President Vladimir Putin’s direction, three Russian companies orchestrated efforts to manipulate social media by creating fake profiles and spreading false narratives. One of the operations aimed to boost support for Donald Trump or any other Republican candidate.
Two employees of the Russian state media outlet RT were indicted for their involvement in a scheme that funneled millions to a Tennessee-based front company to produce online content aimed at dividing the American electorate. The Justice Department labeled the operation as a covert attempt to disseminate Russian government propaganda targeting millions of U.S. citizens.
These actions mark the administration’s strongest public response to Russian interference in the U.S. election process to date. U.S. officials view Russia as the most significant foreign threat, echoing concerns raised about Iran’s previous election hacking attempts.
One of the Russian companies involved, Social Design Agency, is accused of running fake news sites and targeting swing-state voters with disinformation. The campaign focused on issues like job insecurity for white Americans and exaggerated concerns over crime linked to Ukrainian immigrants.
RT, which has been known to push pro-Russian narratives, faced additional scrutiny as the Justice Department previously forced it to register as a foreign agent. This follows a July action against RT personnel for managing a disinformation network.
The Biden administration remains on high alert, not only for Russian interference but also for potential efforts by Iran and China, as foreign actors increasingly attempt to influence U.S. elections.
