The FBI, along with other government agencies, announced that Iranians had sent “unsolicited emails” containing stolen material from former President Donald Trump’s campaign to individuals associated with his Democratic rival. There is no evidence that recipients tied to President Joe Biden’s campaign responded to these emails, but the government condemned the effort to undermine confidence in the electoral process and stoke discord. Iranians also attempted to transmit nonpublic stolen material to media organizations associated with Trump’s campaign. The FBI has been tracking this activity, along with efforts from Russia, Iran, and China to meddle in the upcoming U.S. elections.
The Trump campaign accused Iranians of trying to help Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee. Trump also claimed Harris’ campaign was spying on him. The Harris campaign clarified that a few individuals linked to the campaign received phishing emails, but they did not respond or realize what was in the emails. Law enforcement agencies contacted these individuals to inform them of the situation.
Sources confirmed that stolen information from Trump’s campaign was sent to several people linked to Biden’s campaign, but they did not engage with the emails. The Justice Department plans to file criminal charges in connection with the hacking of Trump’s campaign, despite Iran denying any involvement. In the past, Iranians have been charged with election meddling during the 2020 presidential election.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com