Intel defensive briefings surge as adversaries seek to influence congressional races
Intelligence community officials said they have given three times the number of defensive briefings this year to those who may be the target of foreign influence efforts as in past election cycles.
The details come as officials warn that China, Russia and Cuba are making a concerted effort to target congressional races in the U.S., using tactics similar to those seen in bids to influence the presidential election.
Intelligence agencies offer defensive briefings when it believes a foreign country has tried to interfere with a campaign or candidate — including when Iran hacked the Trump campaign over the summer.
While officials won’t disclose whom the briefings were provided to, the spike shows the growth in efforts to shape the U.S. election.
“Moscow is leveraging a wide range of influence actors in an effort to influence congressional races, particularly to encourage the U.S. public to oppose pro-Ukraine policies and politicians. Russian influence actors have planned and likely created and disseminated content, particularly over social media, intended to encourage the election of congressional candidates Moscow assesses will oppose aid to Ukraine,” an official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told reporters Monday.
China has similarly been seeking to influence elections based on candidates' positions on Taiwan, which China considers to be one of its territories.
Intelligence officials said Cuba “almost certainly has considered influence operations targeting some candidates,” adding the country will likely try to “curry favor” with various politicians.
“Havana is very focused on a handful of policy issues that it believes to be negatively impacting the regime. This includes the U.S. embargo on Cuba and other economic and travel restrictions, all of which Havana perceives as an effort to force regime change. Havana considers election influence activities as part of its standing requirements to influence those policies, and Florida is a prime target of their activities,” the official said.
“To that end, we have observed Cuba tailoring influence activities based on its perception of candidates, stances on policies towards Cuba in 2020. For example, Havana intended to denigrate specific candidates in Florida and pushed influenced narratives to the Latin American community.”
Date: |
-
Politics - The Hill
Watch live: White House holds press briefing
The White House is scheduled to hold its daily press briefing at 1:45 p.m. Monday. The briefing is likely to be dominated by questions about Hurricane Milton and the first anniversary of the Oct. ...10 hours ago -
World - The New York Times
Tuesday Briefing: Israelis and Palestinians Mourn a Year of Loss
Plus, Chappell Roan navigates the demands of fame.6 hours ago - Israel -
Politics - The Hill
Austin to meet with Israeli defense minister at Pentagon
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet with his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, at the Pentagon on Wednesday as the U.S. ally mulls how to respond to last week’s Iranian ...4 hours ago - Israel -
World - The New York Times
Athens Democracy Forum: Seeking the Road to Peace in the Middle East
Panelists at the Athens Democracy Forum discussed the widening conflict and the challenge of getting the warring parties to a consensus.52 minutes ago -
World - The Guardian
Germans decry influence of English as ‘idiot’s apostrophe’ gets official approval
Linguistic body has relaxed rules on use of apostrophe to show possession, not traditionally correct in German. A relaxation of official rules around the correct use of apostrophes in German has ...7 hours ago -
World - The New York Times
A Year Later, Biden Faces the Limits of U.S. Influence in the Mideast
In the immediate aftermath of the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, the president stepped in to support Israel, counsel moderation and seek a lasting peace.4 hours ago - Joe Biden -
Politics - Politico
Mike Lee lays out demands for McConnell successor
The Utah Republican wants to shape the race to elect the next Senate GOP leader.1 hour ago -
Politics - Politico
Capitol police chief: New intel bureau is key as Congress threats rise
4 days ago -
Top stories - CBS News
Why Hurricane Milton's storm surge threat is growing
As Hurricane Milton intensified on its path toward Florida's Gulf Coast, the strength of the system increased the severity of the storm surge forecast.13 minutes ago
More from The Hill
-
Politics - The Hill
Why experts are so scared of Hurricane Milton
The nation's eyes are on Florida as Hurricane Milton seems poised to strike the state this week -- nearly two weeks after experiencing the destruction of Hurricane Helene. Residents of the Sunshine ...42 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Trump marks anniversary of Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Former President Trump on Monday marked the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel with a pair of appearances to express solidarity with the Jewish people. Trump began the day with a ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
Harris pressed on changing positions, economic plan in '60 Minutes' interview
Vice President Harris was pressed on her changing policy positions and her expensive economic plan on “60 Minutes,” in what proved to be her toughest media interview since becoming the Democratic ...1 hour ago -
Politics - The Hill
Walz: Past misstatements unlike being 'pathological liar like Donald Trump'
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), the Democratic nominee for vice president, defended his past misstatements about his military service and his travel to China, arguing there was a difference between ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
Harris reveals owning a Glock: 'Of course' I've fired it
Vice President Harris said in a "60 Minutes" interview that aired Monday that she owns a Glock and has fired it at a shooting range in another example of how she and her campaign have made a point ...2 hours ago