Russian group accused of meddling in U.S. elections targeted Sen. Tammy Baldwin and touted Dem candidate Randy Bryce
A Russian group accused of trying to sow discord in the 2018 midterms encouraged voters to donate to a political action committee opposing U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and other Democratic candidates.
The foreign operation also took aim at House Speaker Paul Ryan while urging its members to promote the candidacy of Democratic congressional candidate Randy Bryce.
On Friday, U.S. Justice Department officials announced that they had charged a Russian citizen — Elena Khusyaynova — for her role in trying to interfere in the upcoming midterm contests.
Khusyaynova, 44, was the chief accountant of “Project Lakhta,” a Russian group that has meddled in the elections of a number of countries since 2014, prosecutors contend. In the U.S., they say, this group of Russian trolls has criticized political candidates and pushed misinformation on a host of divisive political issues, including the national anthem debate at NFL games, gun control and the Confederate flag.
Baldwin issued a statement early Saturday, saying, "Russia’s ongoing attempts to disrupt our elections are an attack on our democracy."
"I will not be intimidated or bullied by Putin, and it’s clear that we need to push Washington to immediately pass measures that stand up to bad foreign actors like Russia and prevent further attacks," she said.
Bryce's campaign followed suit, saying, "Unlike (President) Donald Trump, Randy supports all efforts to make sure our elections are free and fair. It is clear that we have to protect our elections and our democracy — which is why we need leaders like Randy who will stand up to foreign interference. If only Trump would do the same."
Prosecutors said the group did not appear to have a particular ideological bent but instead took provocative stances on incendiary issues and campaigns to try to inflame voters.
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According to the 38-page indictment, a member of the group used the handle @CovfefeNationUS to repost a tweet encouraging people to give to a PAC opposing such Democratic candidates as Baldwin, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Maxine Waters, both of California.
The December 2017 tweet provided a link to the donation page for the PAC, which is not identified in the indictment. The Twitter account for @CovfefeNationUS has been suspended.
Those involved in the conspiracy, prosecutors said, also directed their members to use social media to disseminate criticism of certain elected officials, including Ryan and U.S. Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican who died two months ago.
"Brand Paul Ryan a complete and absolute nobody incapable of any decisiveness," the indictment says of its preliminary translation of Russian text. "Emphasize that while serving as Speaker, this two-faced loudmouth has not accomplished anything good for America or for American citizens."
The note, written in August 2017, was produced before Ryan announced that he was not running for another term. The Russian text said:
"State the only way to get rid of Ryan from Congress, provided he wins in the 2018 primaries, is to vote in favor of Randy Brice (sic), an American veteran and iron worker and a Democrat."
Bryce is facing off against Republican candidate Bryan Steil in the Nov. 6 election.