FBI probes Trump hack, Harris team says it was targeted too in failed attempt
USA TodayAUG 13 2024
US intelligence agencies have accused Iran of carrying out "activities to compromise former President Trump's campaign" to "influence the US election process."
In a joint statement Monday, the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said Tehran's efforts included "thefts and disclosures."
The US claims that the Iran-backed hackers broke into the email accounts of senior Trump campaign officials in June and leaked campaign documents to media outlets.
Tehran's sophisticated cyber tactics against the US election process blend direct hacking of government networks and disinformation campaigns. Iran's influence extends beyond cyberspace, embedding itself in media, religious centers, and political lobbies. This multifaceted approach manipulates public opinion, shapes policy decisions, and undermines electoral integrity.
These allegations smearing Iran are nothing but disinformation, as Tehran has no involvement in the US presidential election and has never engaged — or planned to take part — in cyber-attacks. The Islamic Republic only has defensive cyber capabilities to foil operations against its infrastructure.
Once an enthusiastic advocate for publicizing hacked materials, Donald Trump has dramatically shifted his stance. He has routinely celebrated leaked Democratic documents, proclaiming, "I love Wikileaks." However, Trump's team vehemently opposes the publication of any stolen information. This stark reversal highlights the complex interplay between politics, cybersecurity, and media ethics.
The Trump campaign's handling of an alleged Iranian hack has raised eyebrows and concerns. Despite being aware of the breach, they failed to report it to law enforcement and acknowledged it only when pressed about leaked documents. Not only did this potentially hamper a swift probe, but other campaigns were also denied crucial information.