Biden Administration Accuses Russia of "Sustained Effort" to Influence 2024 Presidential Election

The Biden administration has accused Russia of targeting American voters through state-run media and other online platforms to influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, allegedly as part of a campaign called "doppelganger."

Attorney General Merrick Garland, alongside FBI Director Christopher Wray and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, announced an indictment in the Southern District of New York against two Russian-based employees of RT, a Russian state-controlled media outlet, accusing them of conspiring to commit money laundering and violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Biden Administration Accuses Russia of "Sustained Effort" to Influence 2024 Presidential Election

According to Garland, the defendants directed a Tennessee-based company to publish and disseminate content favorable to the Russian government, using U.S.-based social media influencers to amplify Russian interests and weaken U.S. opposition to its ongoing war in Ukraine.

The Justice Department (DOJ) has also seized 32 internet domains used by the Russian government to spread disinformation and influence U.S. elections, including domains resembling major news outlets like the Washington Post and Fox News.

Biden Administration Accuses Russia of "Sustained Effort" to Influence 2024 Presidential Election

The Treasury Department announced the designation of 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated response to Russia's malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 presidential election.

In response to the allegations, RT issued a sarcastic statement, dismissing the accusations as clichés and claiming that it needs to "earn its Kremlin paycheck somehow."

Biden Administration Accuses Russia of "Sustained Effort" to Influence 2024 Presidential Election

Garland emphasized the seriousness of the situation, warning that Russia's actions represent a "deadly threat" that will be met with appropriate response.

FBI Director Wray condemned the interference attempts by foreign adversaries, stating that the FBI will continue to call out and investigate such activities.

Biden Administration Accuses Russia of "Sustained Effort" to Influence 2024 Presidential Election

The Justice Department previously registered RT as a "foreign agent" in 2017, acknowledging its operation of studios, hiring of U.S.-based RT employees, and production of English-language programming for distribution across the country and online.

Former Defense Intelligence Agency officer Rebekah Koffler described RT and other Russian propaganda outlets as part of a permanent cyberwarfare campaign against the West, constantly maligning the United States and misrepresenting its foreign policy objectives.

Koffler argued that shutting down RT's operations in the United States would be an appropriate measure to prevent Russia from predisposing the American population towards its point of view and influencing public opinion in Russia's favor.