US raises alarm on election security
Trump officials say they’re ready to block Russian meddling
WASHINGTON – U.S. intelligence officials are worried Russia and perhaps other foreign actors are looking to interfere in the November elections, just as Moscow did in 2016, members of President Donald Trump’s national security team said Thursday.
The government is seeking to meet the threat by working with state and local election officials to protect voting systems from cyberattacks, and to block Russia and others from engaging in them, the officials said.
“Our democracy itself is in the cross-hairs,” said Kirstjen Nielsen, secretary of homeland security, speaking at a White House briefing.
While Trump has at times questioned whether Russia was involved in the 2016 election, national intelligence director Dan Coats said, “we continue to see a pervasive messaging campaign by Russia to try to weaken and divide the United States.”
The White House is feeling heat over election security, nearly two years
after intelligence officials determined that Russia sought to influence the 2016 election by hacking Democrats and pushing phony news about Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in an effort to benefit Trump.
Russia election activity is the subject of a criminal investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is also looking into any links to the Trump campaign and whether the president sought to obstruct justice.
Trump has denied collusion and obstruction, and described Mueller’s investigation as a witch hunt.
Some lawmakers, particularly Democrats, have questioned Trump’s commitment to stopping election meddling, and said the administration has not done enough to help local officials.
“Glad to see the White House finally do something about election security even if it’s only a press conference,” tweeted Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “Now if only it was actually backed up by anything the President has said or done on Russia.”
Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic push last month that would have provided $250 million to beef up election security. The money would have been doled out in grants through the Federal Election Assistance Commission and helped replace outdated voting equipment and increase cybersecurity efforts.
A bipartisan group of senators offered a bill Thursday that would impose tougher sanctions on Russia if it continues to interfere in U.S. elections.
The bill would create new criminal penalties for anyone who targets election systems and slap sanctions on political figures, oligarchs, and others who engage in “illicit and corrupt activities” on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
National security adviser John Bolton responded to lawmakers’ criticism in a letter Thursday to senators.
During the White House briefing, Bolton said Trump is determined to block interference in this year’s campaigns.
“We meet on this constantly,” Bolton said.