Foreign adversaries, including Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba, are expected to continue their efforts to undermine Americans’ confidence in the legitimacy of the election results in November. Intelligence officials believe these countries will use tactics to question the validity of the election results, amplify false claims about ballot tampering, and manufacture falsehoods to sow division among Americans. Russia, in particular, is focused on undermining Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party, while Iran’s efforts are aimed at denigrating former President Donald Trump.
These foreign adversaries are also utilizing various methods to spread disinformation, including using foreign influence firms, commercial firms, and both witting and unwitting Americans to launder their narratives through authentic U.S. voices. Additionally, these countries deny any involvement in interfering with the U.S. election through covert information operations, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
Intelligence officials highlighted that foreign actors are targeting specific races in Congress and at the state level, denigrating certain candidates through social media and other online activities. They warned that Americans are more likely to believe narratives from within the U.S., making it easier for foreign actors to manipulate information and influence public opinion.
In conclusion, the U.S. intelligence community is on high alert for continued foreign interference leading up to and after the November election. The goal is to protect the integrity of the democratic process and prevent foreign adversaries from undermining trust and creating further divisions among Americans.
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