Scoop: FBI warns local parties of election interference from foreign actor

Shortly before Tuesday’s midterm elections, the FBI warned multiple US state political parties of possible foreign election interference, sources tell The Spectator.

Two state Republican Party officials told The Spectator that their headquarters recently received communications from the FBI. The FBI explained that they had intelligence indicating that an unnamed foreign state actor may be trying to meddle in this year’s election and that party officials should be on the lookout for attempts to access their websites or data.

Otherwise, the FBI warnings were vague. They did not tell party officials what specifically to look out for or what the intentions of the state actor might be. Multiple sources familiar told The Spectator that they believed the warnings had gone out to many, if not all, state parties. They also said they had not personally seen any evidence that their systems had been compromised.

The FBI did not indicate who might be behind any attempts at election interference, but the New York Times reported Sunday that Russia is launching an influence campaign against the Democratic Party in the hopes that a divided government will boost their war efforts against Ukraine. China is considered another likely contender for election meddling.

The FBI did not return a request for comment.