6 hours agoUS has strategy to prevent Russia's intervention in upcoming elections
Periskopi(8 years ago)
(8 years ago)The mid-term elections in the United States are less than four months away. Officials are taking steps to prevent a repeat of Russian intervention, dictated by American intelligence services during the 2016 elections. Among these measures is a system that alerts the public to [...]
The mid-term elections in the United States are less than four months away. Officials are taking steps to prevent a repeat of Russian intervention, dictated by American intelligence services during the 2016 elections.
As correspondent Carrolyn Presutti reports, among these measures is a system that alerts the public to foreign interventions:
Nothing is more sacred to democracy than free and fair elections. Voters come with confidence that their vote matters. But this premiere has been attacked since it was found that Russia intervened in the 2016 elections. Lawmakers say the first part of the strategy is the start of sanctions.
“We have imposed sanctions on Russia, as a way to take responsibility. Furthermore, we're making sure they can't repeat it”, said Paul Ryan, chairman of the House of Representatives.
But time does not promise. The Muslim elections held in November are rapidly approaching, when voters deem for the work of a new president, preserving or replacing lawmakers in Congress.
This amendment is our reaction, in partnership with the American states, to slam the door in the face of the Russian bear, or any other risk intended to hit the integrity of our” elections, Democrat lawmaker Stany Hoyer said.
The Justice Department is already warning the public of foreign intervention in the election process. At the heart of the strategy is voter vigilance. Deputy Prosecutor General Rod Rosenstein says cyber perpetrators targeted 21 American states during the last elections.
We have no proof that any foreign government has succeeded in changing the vote, but the danger is real to”, Mr. Rosenstein declared.
Meanwhile, the administration's critics blame President Trump for not creating a special task force, or not appointing a cyber security director. Analyst Elaine Camarck talks about the risks of inaction...
“ ...that Russia would control us. Having people who, with or without conscience, are grateful to a foreign power that does not believe in democracy”, she says.
President Trump says his administration is doing everything possible to prevent Russia's intervention in upcoming elections. Only 100 days left to build strategies for that purpose, however. VOA
