New today, the Justice Department has unsealed criminal charges against a Russian-American political pundit, Dmitry Syms, who had contact with key members of Trump's campaign team during the 2016 election. The indictment reveals that Symes received over $1 million from a Russian news outlet, violating U.S. sanctions. These charges come on the heels of the DOJ's efforts to counter Russia's influence in the upcoming elections.
Prosecutors have linked Symes to interactions with Trump's inner circle, including Jared Kushner, during the 2016 election. The recent charges against Symes are related to a Russian influence operation targeting the 2024 election, aiming to promote a pro-Russian, anti-Ukraine narrative to sway public opinion in favor of the Kremlin.
The Justice Department disclosed that Symes was in direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin and was financially supported to propagate a specific narrative on RT, the Russian state-owned media outlet. This aligns with the broader pattern of Russian disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing U.S. elections and undermining support for Ukraine.
In a related development, the DOJ indicted two Russian nationals connected to RT for their involvement in a sophisticated influence campaign. The operation involved a Tennessee-based media company with ties to prominent right-wing social media personalities, reaching millions of subscribers across various platforms.
The Russian individuals allegedly sought to manipulate the U.S.-based media coverage to promote a pro-Russian agenda without the audience's awareness. These revelations underscore the ongoing efforts by Russia, led by Putin and the Kremlin, to wage disinformation campaigns targeting U.S. elections and geopolitical interests.
