WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)– With just weeks to go until the 2024 election, the Justice Department is accusing Russia of new efforts to try to influence the race.
On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland laid out the details of two alleged Russian influence schemes, which he called, “a covert campaign to interfere and influence the outcome of our country’s elections.”
He also announced actions the DOJ is taking to stop them.
“The Justice Department will aggressively counter such efforts,” Garland said.
First, the DOJ is criminally charging two employees of RT, a Russian state-controlled media outlet. Garland says they were part of a secret $10 million scheme which used a Tennessee-based company to hire U.S. social media influencers to post Russian disinformation and propaganda.
“With the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters here in the U.S.,” White House National Security Advisor John Kirby said.
Separately, the Justice Department seized control of 32 internet domains falsely designed to look like major U.S. news sites like The Washington Post and Fox News. Garland says they were filled with phony Russian stories that were spread online by fake social media profiles.
“Both of the schemes I’ve just discussed may clear the ends to which the Russian government including at its highest levels is willing to go to undermine our Democratic process,” Garland said.
The State Department is part of a crackdown too. Spokesperson Matthew Miller says the U.S. will restrict visas for people connected to the influence efforts. He also announced a multi-million dollar reward for information about foreign election interference.
“We will not tolerate foreign actors intentionally interfering and undermining free and fair elections,” Miller said.
