Treasury Sanctions Russians for Election Meddling, Cyberattacks

What’s the story?

• The U.S. Treasury Department is imposing fresh economic sanctions on five "entities" and 19 individuals for interfering in the 2016 presidential election and for conducting a series of cyberattacks.

What does it matter?

• Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement:

"The Administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in U.S. elections, destructive cyber-attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure. These targeted sanctions are a part of a broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from Russia."

• The sanctions target the "Internet Research Agency," including the individuals special counsel Robert Mueller indicted last month for “trolling” the 2016 election.

• Treasury officials added that their department "continues to pressure Russia for its ongoing efforts to destabilize Ukraine, occupy Crimea, meddle in elections, as well as for its endemic corruption and human rights abuses."

• This move comes the same week that UN ambassador Nikki Haley criticized Moscow for chemical strikes in Syria, and the U.S. and its allies censure Russia for a nerve agent attack against a former Russian intelligence officer in Britain.

What do you think?

Do you support these sanctions? Would you like to see tougher sanctions against Moscow? Is the U.S. doing enough to prepare against future cyberattacks? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

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—Josh Herman

Related Reading

• Russia Probe Update: Manafort Pleads, Putin Denies, State Dept. Skimps

• Mueller Charges 13 Russians for Election Interference

(Photo Credit: Kremlin.ru / Creative Commons)