In a late-night statement on Monday, the US intelligence community raised concerns about alleged foreign interference in the upcoming 2024 election. The FBI, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency jointly issued a warning about global efforts to manipulate US public opinion and the potential for violence as a result.
The statement highlighted that foreign adversaries, particularly Russia, have been engaging in influence operations aimed at undermining public confidence in the integrity of US elections and exacerbating divisions among Americans. The intelligence community anticipates that these activities will escalate leading up to election day, with a focus on swing states.
Recent reports revealed a fake online video depicting a Haitian citizen claiming to have illegally voted in Georgia. An American man residing in Massachusetts, identified as a pro-Trump social media influencer, admitted to creating the video and receiving payment from a pro-Kremlin propagandist to disseminate it.
The warning emphasized Russia as the most active threat, with actors linked to the country producing fabricated videos and articles to cast doubt on the election's legitimacy, sow fear among voters, and suggest political violence among Americans. The intelligence community expressed concerns that these efforts could incite violence, including against election officials, and expects further manufactured content with similar themes to be released before and after election day.
Additionally, the US intelligence community highlighted Iran as a significant foreign influence threat to US elections, underscoring the need for vigilance against multiple sources of interference.
