The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused Russia of attempting to interfere in the 2024 presidential election, outlining a multi-pronged strategy of spreading disinformation and influencing public opinion. The announcement, made on Wednesday, includes the seizure of 32 websites allegedly linked to the Russian government and the indictment of two employees of the state-controlled media outlet RT.
The DOJ claims that RT, through a Tennessee-based company believed to be Tenet Media, engaged in a $10 million scheme to manipulate U.S.-based influencers into promoting content favorable to the Russian government. They are also accused of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
While the DOJ asserts the seriousness of these actions, Republican lawmakers have expressed skepticism, drawing parallels to the 2016 election and questioning the timing of the announcement. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, stated, “We’ve seen this before. In 2016, the same people pushed the Russia hoax and we now know it was totally bogus. Now, it may be true this time, but I am extremely skeptical.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland pushed back against the skepticism, highlighting the gravity of the situation and emphasizing the DOJ’s commitment to addressing it.
The alleged Russian interference strategy targets specific groups with messages aimed at sowing discord and promoting pro-Russian narratives. According to leaked internal propaganda project proposals, the Kremlin sought to amplify racial tensions, capitalize on economic anxieties, and undermine public support for U.S. involvement in Ukraine.
These proposals, including “Good Old USA,” aimed to increase the belief that the U.S. is overly involved in Ukraine and to target specific demographics, including Hispanic Americans, American Jews, gamers, Reddit users, and residents of swing states.
Another project, “The Guerilla Media Campaign,” sought to bolster beliefs that Biden’s policies are detrimental to Americans, while portraying Republicans as more pro-Russian. The content included messages about record inflation, job losses, and concerns about immigrants and crime.
RT has dismissed the allegations, offering a series of tongue-in-cheek responses. The DOJ asserts that the Russian government, led by Vladimir Putin, seeks to exploit U.S. divisions and weaken opposition to its policies, particularly its ongoing war in Ukraine.
