The Department of Justice issued indictments against two Russian state media employees on Wednesday.
A statement to the press published by the DOJ explains that these indictments are related to accusations of election interference via Russian disinformation campaigns. Quoting Attorney General Merrick Garland, the statement reads:
The Justice Department has charged two employees of RT, a Russian state-controlled media outlet, in a $10 million scheme to create and distribute content to U.S. audiences with hidden Russian government messaging.”
AG Garland further explained the charges during a press briefing on Wednesday. Garland explained that the allegations are tied to a media company in Tennessee, which was covertly run by RT News.
Garland also announced another action taken by the Justice Department involving the seizure of multiple Internet domains, all of which are accused of disseminating Russian propaganda. This online program was known as “Doppelganger,” the Justice Department said.
Russian lawmakers responded to the charges, calling it a “rabid reaction” and “a witch-hunt.” They also accuse the U.S. of going against its principles of freedom of speech.
The Russian government also indicated on Thursday that it would respond to the charges soon, but the form of that response is currently unknown.
RT News mockingly responded to the charges, saying you can count on “death, taxes and RT’s interference in the U.S. elections.” Garland reacted to this statement, saying the U.S. is responding “accordingly” to the “deadly serious” issue.