DOJ Indictment: Russia Is Meddling Election

Russia is allegedly meddling in this year's presidential election. Federal U.S. departments are now pressing charges against Russian individuals while trying to seize dozens of internet domains. NTD's international correspondent Arian Pazdar has the story. The government of Russia continue to use RT to direct disinformation and propaganda. Multiple U.S. departments on Wednesday alleging that Russia is meddling in this year's presidential elections. The Department of Justice indicted two editors-in-chief for the Russian state-owned media outlet RT. RT and its employees, including the defendants, implemented a nearly $10 million scheme to fund and direct a Tennessee-based company to publish and disseminate content deemed favorable to the Russian government. The department alleges that the two individuals violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act In return for the money, the Tennessee company allegedly created English content, which it then posted on Instagram, YouTube, X and other platforms. The Treasury Department also sanctioned the two editors, plus nine others, over the alleged meddling in the elections. RT responded with ridicule, saying three things are certain in life – death, taxes and RT's interference in the U.S. elections. And, separately from the actions against RT, the FBI and the Justice Department are also seeking court permission to seize 32 websites, so-called cyber-squadron domains. These websites were designed to appear to American readers as if they were major U.S. news sites, like the Washington Post or Fox News. But in fact, they were fake sites. The DOJ published examples of such sites, for example this one, which appears to be a Washington Post article stating, Middle East coalition of U.S. allies crumbles like a house of cards. Or another fake article reading, No more money, Kremlin will solve Ukraine's problem. The FBI is now working to take these sites down. The two indicted editors for RT remain at large.