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The F. B. I. The homes of two prominent commentators on Russian state television channels have been raided as part of an effort to stop attempts to influence the November election.
By Steven Lee Myers and Julian E. Barnes
The Justice Department has opened a wide-ranging criminal investigation into Americans who worked with Russian state television channels, reflecting a competing effort to combat the Kremlin’s influence operations ahead of November’s presidential election, according to U. S. officials briefed on the matter. the investigation.
This month, F.B.I. agents searched the homes of two prominent figures with connections to Russian state media: Scott Ritter, a former United Nations weapons inspector and critic of American foreign policy, and Dimitri K. Simes, an adviser to former President Donald J. Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2016. Prosecutors have not announced charges against either of the men.
More studies are expected soon, said some officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the research. Criminal penalties may also be imposed, they said.
The investigation follows official findings through Biden administration intelligence that Russian state news agencies, including global news channel RT, are working with their intelligence agencies to influence elections around the world.
Those efforts come with the November race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. For the third time, officials and public statements say, the Kremlin’s propaganda apparatus has gone after Trump’s candidacy, creating online media and fake videos to denigrate President Biden and, more recently, Mrs. Harris.
So far, the investigation has focused on conceivable violations of economic sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and a law requiring disclosure of lobbying efforts through foreign governments.
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