Officials: Foreign Interference in US Elections Reaches Alarming Levels

U.S. officials informed a Senate committee on Wednesday that an increasing number of foreign actors, including nonstate actors, are attempting to influence U.S. elections. While Russia, China, and Iran are the most significant, they are not the only countries involved in these efforts.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines stated, “Specifically, Russia remains the most active foreign threat to our elections. The Russian government aims to erode trust in U.S. democratic institutions, worsen sociopolitical divisions in the United States, and diminish Western support to Ukraine.”

Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, highlighted that declassified intelligence assessments have identified not only Russia, China, and Iran but also Cuba, Venezuela, Islamic militants, and various foreign cybercriminals seeking to influence U.S. politics.

Senator Warner pointed out that foreign efforts to influence elections and public opinion have become easier due to the low barriers to entry. He mentioned instances like harassment operations against candidates and impersonations of U.S. organizations by foreign entities.

Concerns about the risks posed by artificial intelligence in elections, including the use of convincing deepfakes to deceive voters, have also been raised by officials as the election nears.

Furthermore, a bipartisan group of senators, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, called on Congress to approve $32 billion in funding for AI research to ensure the U.S. remains a leader in this technology ahead of China.

The intelligence panel’s hearing on Wednesday marked the first open hearing on the subject during the 2024 U.S. election cycle, with more hearings planned, including one with technology companies.