As voters head to the polls for the 2024 election, the FBI is warning of attempts to undermine public confidence in the political process through deceptive videos falsely attributed to the agency. On Tuesday, the FBI issued a press release detailing incidents where fake content was circulated in an effort to confuse and mislead voters.
Fake FBI Videos Aim to Undermine Trust in Election
One of the fabricated videos, according to the FBI, falsely claimed that the bureau issued a warning advising Americans to “vote remotely” due to heightened terror threats at polling locations. “This video is not authentic and does not accurately represent the current threat posture or polling location safety,” the FBI wrote.
Another fake video alleged that prison officials in several states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona, colluded with a political party to rig inmate voting. The FBI dismissed these claims as false.
“Election integrity is among our highest priorities,” the FBI stated. “Attempts to deceive the public with false content about FBI threat assessments and activities aim to undermine our democratic process and erode trust in the electoral system.”
FBI and DOJ Heighten Election Security Efforts
Attorney General Merrick Garland was scheduled to receive updates throughout Election Day from FBI officials and other national security teams. Garland also planned to visit the FBI’s National Election Command Post for further developments.
The FBI’s warning came just a day after both the bureau and the Intelligence Community (IC) highlighted efforts by foreign adversaries, particularly Russia and Iran, to create distrust among the American public regarding the electoral process.
Russia and Iran Attempt to Sway Public Opinion
According to the IC, foreign adversaries like Russia have been orchestrating influence campaigns designed to sow doubt about U.S. elections. They are particularly focused on swing states, spreading narratives to stoke divisions among Americans. Russia has also allegedly produced videos showing fake allegations of voter fraud, including one that claimed election fraud occurred in Arizona involving fake overseas ballots.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) also warned that these fabricated videos “risk inciting violence, including against election officials.”
Iran, the FBI stated, has engaged in malicious cyber activities targeting former President Donald Trump’s campaign. The agency noted that Iran has been seeking revenge against U.S. officials, including Trump, whom it holds responsible for the death of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
Protecting the Integrity of U.S. Elections
As Election Day continues, U.S. officials are working closely with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat misinformation and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. The FBI’s warning serves as a reminder to remain vigilant against false content and efforts to undermine voter confidence.
