Iran, Russia obtained voter registration info: US
Russian and Iran have both obtained US voter information and taken actions to influence public judgment prior to the November 3 election, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe announced Wednesday.
Ratcliffe said Iran specifically had sent “spoofed” emails to Americans “made to intimidate voters, incite social unrest, and damage President Trump.”
He said Iran had also distributed a video that implies that people could send in fraudulent ballots, including from outside the United States.
Ratcliffe said both Iran and Russia seek to use information obtained “to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope may cause confusion, sow chaos, and undermine confidence in American democracy.”
“These actions are desperate attempts by desperate adversaries,” he said.
The announcement came after registered Democratic voters reported getting personally addressed emails in the name of the Proud Boys armed militia group.
“You will vote for Trump on election day or we should come once you,” the emails said.
Ratcliffe, with FBI Director Christopher Wray beside him, didn't explain the way the Russians and Iranians had obtained the voter information or the way the Russians could possibly be using it.
Wray stressed that US election systems remained safe and “resilient”.
“Rest assured that people are prepared for the probability of actions by those hostile to democracy,” Ratcliffe said.
