In a stark warning just weeks before the November 5 U.S. elections, intelligence officials revealed Tuesday that foreign actors, including Russia, China, and Iran, are actively working to undermine American democracy. These nations, they say, are not only spreading disinformation to create division but may also consider inciting violence in the aftermath of the vote.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) briefed reporters, raising concerns that these foreign adversaries are refining their tactics from previous elections. “Foreign actors, particularly Russia, Iran, and China, remain intent on fanning divisive narratives to divide Americans and undermine confidence in the U.S. democratic system,” said one intelligence official.
While officials have not detected collaboration between the three countries, each is individually deploying cyber and information operations to sow discord. Russia and Iran, in particular, may go further, considering physical threats and violence after Election Day, a prospect that has U.S. security agencies on high alert.
In one particularly troubling example, Russian disinformation agents reportedly created a fake social media post targeting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. The AI-generated post, designed to fabricate damaging allegations, underscores how foreign actors are using advanced technology to influence races.
Although U.S. intelligence stresses that the voting system is secure and foreign actors cannot change the outcome, the fear is that post-election unrest could be fueled by these efforts. With the election expected to be close, the stakes are high, and U.S. agencies are bracing for the possibility of protests and violence being stoked by outside forces.
“Russia would prefer the former president to win,” one ODNI official noted, adding that, if Harris prevails, Russia is expected to ramp up efforts to destabilize her presidency.
As the world watches closely, the FBI, ODNI, and other intelligence agencies are racing to contain this threat before the vote—aiming to protect not just the election’s integrity but the nation’s stability in the tense weeks that will follow.
