FBI Director Wray Warns of China Election Interference

FBI Director, Christopher Wray, and other Intelligence Community Officials Warned about China’s Increased Capability to Interfere in U.S. Elections in Separate Classified Hearings with the Senate Intelligence Committee this week. Wray and other Officials cited Concerns that China is Developing the Ability to Interfere with Local Election Systems and Target Members of Congress to Influence China Policy.

Wray appeared before Committee Members on, the afternoon of Tuesday July 28th, and the other Intel Officials, including William Evanina, the Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), testified on Wednesday July 29th.

An Official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which includes the NCSC, said it has been providing "robust intelligence-based briefings on election security to the presidential campaigns, political committees, and Congressional audiences".

A Spokesman for Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Acting Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said Rubio is "increasingly concerned about how China is expanding its influence and interference efforts in America. They have a proven capability to carry out cyber attacks and spread disinformation and the clear intent to influence our government policies and pressure policy makers, including members of Congress. They have resources which are far greater than those of Russia."

China is Increasingly becoming a Top Threat to U.S. Election Security. "Our adversaries learn from one another," a Source familiar with One of the Hearings said. But Intelligence Officials still view Russia as the Leading Threat. On Friday July 31st, Evanina said China, Russia, and Iran present the Most Pressing Threats for Election Interference in the 2020 Presidential Race.

Evanina noted that China "is expanding its influence efforts to shape the policy environment in the United States, pressure political figures it views as opposed to China’s interests, and counter criticism of China. Beijing recognizes its efforts might affect the presidential race."

The Senate Intelligence Committee has been Probing the Threat of China Interfering in U.S. Elections for Months, and its Investigations have picked up speed in recent weeks given that the Elections are less than 100 days away.

This year's Warning comes from Top Law Enforcement and Intelligence Chiefs. It Follows a Series of Social Media Disinformation Campaigns perpetrated by China and Aimed at Influencing Foreign Populations, a Modus Operandi China seems to have Learned from Russia.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), in Consultation with the Trump Administration, has Scheduled time over the next few days for Senate-wide, Classified Briefings about Foreign Election Interference and Political Influence, as well as Efforts to Protect the 2020 Elections.

The Briefings will include Evanina and an Interagency Team from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the Intelligence Community.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker