FBI targets US citizens connected to Russian media, reports NYT
According to a report from the NYT, the FBI conducted raids on the residences of Scott Ritter and Dimitri Simes in an alleged effort to address Russian "influence operations." Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The FBI is focusing on American citizens associated with Russian media as part of its initiative to counter alleged "Kremlin influence" ahead of the upcoming US presidential election in November, sources informed the New York Times.
Recently, the agency conducted searches at the residences of Scott Ritter, a former UN weapons inspector and contributor to RT, as well as Dimitri K. Simes, a Soviet-born US political commentator who hosts a program on Russian television.
These actions are part of a "broad criminal investigation" aimed at "an aggressive effort to combat the Kremlin’s influence operations," according to anonymous US officials cited by the NYT. The federal government is expected to conduct additional raids and may pursue criminal charges against the targets, the sources indicated.
Law enforcement officials characterized those being investigated as "individuals intentionally spreading disinformation from Moscow." The report also highlighted that the inquiry might confront the First Amendment's protections regarding free speech.
Both Ritter and Simes are vocal opponents of President Joe Biden's foreign policy, which they argue provokes Russia and heightens the threat of nuclear conflict. The FBI is looking into potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) from them and others, a law requiring transparency from individuals in the US acting on behalf of foreign governments, and regarding the sanctions imposed on Russia.
The recent raids did not lead to any charges against either individual.
In an opinion piece published on RT this week, Ritter elaborated on his stance regarding his role with a Russian media outlet, contrasting it with his experiences in American mainstream media, which he claims often align with US foreign policy. "The US government works overtime to stigmatize any journalism possessing connectivity with Russia,” Ritter stated.
Simes, who moved to Moscow in 2022, expressed similar views and interpreted the raid on his Virginia home as an intimidation tactic. "It clearly is an attempt to intimidate, not only somebody from Russia, but just anyone who goes against official policies and particularly against the deep state," he told Sputnik last week.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
Recently, the agency conducted searches at the residences of Scott Ritter, a former UN weapons inspector and contributor to RT, as well as Dimitri K. Simes, a Soviet-born US political commentator who hosts a program on Russian television.
These actions are part of a "broad criminal investigation" aimed at "an aggressive effort to combat the Kremlin’s influence operations," according to anonymous US officials cited by the NYT. The federal government is expected to conduct additional raids and may pursue criminal charges against the targets, the sources indicated.
Law enforcement officials characterized those being investigated as "individuals intentionally spreading disinformation from Moscow." The report also highlighted that the inquiry might confront the First Amendment's protections regarding free speech.
Both Ritter and Simes are vocal opponents of President Joe Biden's foreign policy, which they argue provokes Russia and heightens the threat of nuclear conflict. The FBI is looking into potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) from them and others, a law requiring transparency from individuals in the US acting on behalf of foreign governments, and regarding the sanctions imposed on Russia.
The recent raids did not lead to any charges against either individual.
In an opinion piece published on RT this week, Ritter elaborated on his stance regarding his role with a Russian media outlet, contrasting it with his experiences in American mainstream media, which he claims often align with US foreign policy. "The US government works overtime to stigmatize any journalism possessing connectivity with Russia,” Ritter stated.
Simes, who moved to Moscow in 2022, expressed similar views and interpreted the raid on his Virginia home as an intimidation tactic. "It clearly is an attempt to intimidate, not only somebody from Russia, but just anyone who goes against official policies and particularly against the deep state," he told Sputnik last week.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
