Correa Demands Explanation After Department Of Homeland Security Withholds Evidence of Foreign Election Interference
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Lou Correa sent a letter to Chad Wolf, urgently requesting that the Department of Homeland Security explain why evidence of foreign interference in the 2020 Election was withheld from lawmakers. The letter also urged the Department to immediately produce an internal memo detailing a misinformation campaign against Vice President Biden.
In the letter, Congressman Correa said, “I am concerned that the Department of Homeland Security is failing its mission to secure our nation from foreign influence, especially during a critical election. The information contained in the bulletin was determined to be of high confidence, which means that the assessment could have been highly accurate. This information was, in fact, withheld and was never reported to Members of Congress.
“I know that foreign actors are trying to undermine U.S. elections. Director Mueller’s report and the Senate Intelligence Committee Report proved that Russians interfered and attempted to influence the 2016 elections. Additionally, according to the Department of Homeland Security, the election systems in 21 states were breached, and voter records containing personal information were compromised. We cannot let foreign actors interfere with the outcome of our elections.”
Read the letter:
The Honorable Chad Wolf
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C., 20528
Dear Mr. Wolf:
It is reported that in early July, the Department of Homeland Security(DHS) withheld the publication of an intelligence bulletin warning law enforcement agencies of the possibility of Russians influencing our elections by spreading misinformation about former Vice President Joe Biden.
I am concerned that the Department of Homeland Security is failing its mission to secure our nation from foreign influence, especially during a critical election. The information contained in the bulletin was determined to be of high confidence, which means that the assessment could have been highly accurate. This information was, in fact, withheld and was never reported to Members of Congress. Why did a DHS official intervene and stop the submission? Are these threats being reported to Members of Congress regularly?
I know that foreign actors are trying to undermine U.S. elections. Director Mueller’s report and the Senate Intelligence Committee Report proved that Russians interfered and attempted to influence the 2016 elections. Additionally, according to the Department of Homeland Security, the election systems in 21 states were breached, and voter records containing personal information were compromised. We cannot let foreign actors interfere with the outcome of our elections.
I urge you to uphold the constitution and to report such matters to Members of Congress immediately. If we fail to hold foreign actors accountable for attempting to attack our elections and spreading disinformation, we will lose our democracy.
I look forward to your timely response.
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Rep. Lou Correa represents California’s 46th Congressional District. He serves as Chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, and as the Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. Read more here.
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