US intelligence officials said on Monday (October 7th) that Beijing is increasing its efforts to influence the US elections, including at the state and congressional levels. Officials revealed that the number of suspected foreign influence activities targeting public officials has “more than tripled.”
According to a report citing an anonymous intelligence official by Voice of America, “As the election day approaches, we continue to see (foreign) actors intensifying their activities.”
The official stated, “These foreign actors are aware that Americans are already voting, and as we get closer to election day, their actions may try to have a greater impact.”
Officials pointed out that China (the CCP), Russia, Iran, and Cuba are attempting to “whitewash their rhetoric” and insert themselves into election discussions with topics like immigration to exacerbate divisions among Americans.
A report released by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) on Monday highlighted that China and Russia are not only trying to interfere in the US presidential election but are also engaging in activities to support or undermine specific congressional candidates, disrupt state and local elections, and increase the dissemination of false information online.
Reuters reported that individuals linked to Beijing directly interfered in “dozens” of local elections, especially concerning issues that matter most to the Chinese Communist Party, including supporting congressional candidates who back Taiwan.
US intelligence officials noted that leaders in the CCP and Russia are well acquainted with the US political system and have recognized the heightened tension and competitiveness of this year’s election environment, believing that not only is it conducive to spreading false information but also makes it easier to influence voter perceptions.
The DNI has been closely monitoring foreign efforts to interfere in the US elections. In a declassified intelligence document released in July, it was mentioned that Beijing’s attitude towards the current US presidential election is more cautious compared to Russia, possibly not intending to sway the election outcome as both parties are seen as trying to contain China, and attempts to influence the election results have been relatively ineffective.
The DNI observed that China is seeking to expand its capabilities to collect and monitor data from American social media platforms, surmising that this is likely “to better understand—and eventually manipulate—opinion.”
NBC News reported that based on a survey obtained from state officials and the market research company TargetSmart, although there are still four weeks until election day, as of Tuesday, over 16 million Americans have applied for mail-in ballots or opted for early voting.
An official mentioned that various agencies have been privately informing presidential, senatorial, congressional, and gubernatorial candidates of monitored foreign influence activities.
Another official stated that reports of foreign influence activities this year have exceeded those of any prior election, with the number of suspected foreign influence activities targeting public officials having “more than tripled.”
The DNI’s report on Monday indicated that multiple countries are attempting to interfere in US elections. For example, Russia is trying to undermine support for congressional candidates “backing Ukraine.”
Even some smaller nations are attempting to influence US elections, including Cuba. The report mentioned that Cuba is trying to assist candidates who could improve US-Cuba relations to reduce economic sanctions. Cuba is focusing on supporting its preferred candidates by influencing Spanish-speaking voters on social media.
In addition to cyberattacks on the election system, foreign interventions in US elections also include spreading false or provocative statements and election process information, advertisements, social media posts, misleading voters about candidates, issues, or election information, or lowering voter turnout through intimidation.