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The U.S. intelligence community has assessed that Russian influence actors were behind a recent video falsely depicting individuals claiming to be Haitian migrants casting illegal votes in multiple counties in Georgia. This revelation came on Friday in a joint statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
The video, which spread widely on social media before being debunked, aimed to incite suspicion and mistrust in the integrity of the electoral system, the agencies reported. “The IC [Intelligence Community] assesses that Russian influence actors manufactured a recent video that falsely depicted individuals claiming to be from Haiti and voting illegally in multiple counties in Georgia,” the statement read. Georgia’s Secretary of State quickly refuted the video’s claims, affirming it as disinformation.
This video is Fake Video.
According to intelligence officials, this video was one of several recent attempts by Russian actors to spread disinformation ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Earlier this month, the intelligence community warned that a separate video—falsely depicting torn ballots in Pennsylvania—was also part of a Russian influence campaign intended to sow discord among Americans. This effort aligns with broader foreign strategies to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions, the officials stated.
Russian Strategy to Sow Division and Distrust
CISA Director Jen Easterly commented on the significance of these tactics, emphasizing that Russia, along with other foreign adversaries, intends to weaken American democratic foundations by amplifying divisive content. “They want to undermine American confidence in our elections and trust in democracy, and they want to stoke partisan discord,” Easterly said in an interview. The Director added that such operations are designed to create a heightened emotional response, using “enragement equals engagement” tactics to further their reach on social media platforms.
As the U.S. approaches Election Day, intelligence agencies anticipate additional efforts by Russian influence actors to release media intended to damage election integrity and foster political divides. This is part of a broader and persistent foreign influence campaign, which has been ongoing since early in the election cycle, U.S. intelligence officials said.
In response, CISA, as the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity agency, has been closely monitoring both physical and digital threats to election infrastructure. Officials noted that misinformation campaigns have the potential to lead to real-world harm, threatening election officials and other public servants.
Election Security Amid Rising Misinformation
CISA, alongside other federal agencies, has increased efforts to preemptively counter disinformation. Senior officials have indicated a proactive approach to identifying and refuting foreign influence operations as they arise. “We will continue to lean forward in debunking foreign influence operations as soon as we detect them,” said Easterly, emphasizing the agency’s focus on public awareness to counter misinformation and strengthen election security.
A senior CISA official also briefed reporters on the security measures in place, reiterating that election security remains a priority for the agency. “When disinformation is spread, those who share it knowingly or unknowingly place our election officials and systems at risk,” the official warned.
This marks the second major announcement in two weeks on Russian-led disinformation campaigns targeting the 2024 election. The intelligence community has consistently alerted the public about anticipated interference efforts by foreign actors, including Russia, Iran, and China, who seek to exploit societal divisions and erode confidence in democratic processes.
Reinforcing Trust in Election Integrity
In recent years, foreign disinformation campaigns have repeatedly targeted U.S. elections, prompting a comprehensive response from intelligence and cybersecurity agencies. The collaboration between ODNI, FBI, and CISA reflects a unified approach to maintaining transparency and safeguarding public trust in the election process.
The ODNI and CISA emphasize that informed and vigilant voters are crucial in combating these influence operations. “Our message to Americans is clear: be cautious of misinformation, verify sources, and trust official election information,” an ODNI spokesperson advised.
As Election Day nears, U.S. intelligence agencies will continue to monitor and address attempts by foreign actors to destabilize democratic institutions through disinformation.
