Rep. Hanabusa’s Statement on Russians Charged With Meddling in U.S. Elections

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa official photo.

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa issued the following statement after 13 Russian citizens and three Russian companies were charged with engaging in a multi-million dollar operation designed to undermine and influence U.S. elections:

“It is very evident the President can no longer deny that the Russians meddled in our election. The allegations outlined in the indictment are very serious and detail a highly sophisticated effort to influence our elections and undermine our democratic processes. Of greater concern is the implication that the Russian government, for a period of time beginning on or before 2014, actively funded a shadow war of disinformation against the United States designed to undermine our citizen’s faith in government, sow animosity into our communities and influence the outcomes of elections, including but not limited to the 2016 Presidential race.”

“These 13 individuals allegedly violated laws prohibiting foreigners from spending money to influence federal elections by using fake social media accounts, paid media, identity theft, unwitting third parties, and traditional spy craft, supported by an organization with a budget of more than $1 million a month, to ‘spread distrust toward the candidates and the political system in general,’ according to the complaint.”

“We must remain vigilant to this threat and heed the warnings of our intelligence community that foreign actors are working to undermine the upcoming midterm elections. Congress and the administration need to take action to protect the integrity of our elections. The circumstances surrounding Russian meddling in the 2016 elections and the allegations against the President, his family members, and campaign team are being thoroughly and impartially investigated by the Special Counsel. Their work must be allowed to continue without interference from Congress or the White House.”