On Friday, the office of special counsel Robert Mueller announced that a grand jury indicted 13 Russian nationals, along with 3 Russian entities, accused of “supporting the presidential campaign of then-candidate Donald J. Trump … and disparaging Hillary Clinton.”
JUST IN: Special counsel charges 13 Russian nationals, 3 Russian entities in connection with interfering with U.S. elections and political processes pic.twitter.com/1M4qgPkuOV
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 16, 2018
CNBC reports:
The special counsel’s office said Friday that a federal grand jury indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities in the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 elections.
The indictment says that the defendants allegedly, by early to mid 2016, were “supporting the presidential campaign of then-candidate Donald J. Trump … and disparaging Hillary Clinton.”
An announcement from special counsel Robert Mueller’s office said that the government accuses all the defendants of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Three defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. Five defendants are charged with aggravated identity theft.
Shortly after the announcement, President Trump broke his silence on the indictments.
“Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong – no collusion!” tweeted President Trump.
Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong – no collusion!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2018
The White House followed up with its own statement.
“There was NO COLLUSION between the Trump campaign and Russia and that the outcome of the election was not changed or affected.”
White House releases statement on special counsel's Russia indictments: "There was NO COLLUSION between the Trump campaign and Russia and that the outcome of the election was not changed or affected." https://t.co/VG7MQrhjOi pic.twitter.com/OuRW8baggt
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 16, 2018
The indictment shows Russian efforts to interfere in U.S. elections dates back to 2013.
“The indictment says part of the Russian influence campaign dates to 2013. It involved hundreds of people and millions of dollars. The goal? “Spread distrust towards the candidates and the political system in general,” tweeted Boston Globe reporter Matt Viser.
The indictment says part of the Russian influence campaign dates to 2013. It involved hundreds of people and millions of dollars. The goal? “Spread distrust towards the candidates and the political system in general.” pic.twitter.com/oAYLavGLXF
— Matt Viser (@mviser) February 16, 2018
In a press conference today, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the indictments show the Russian operation did not impact the result of the 2016 presidential election.
Deputy AG Rosenstein: "There is no allegation in this indictment that any American was a knowing participant in this illegal activity. There is no allegation in the indictment that the [Russians'] conduct altered the outcome of the 2016 election." https://t.co/oShWvKYDRW pic.twitter.com/IPXvuJDudg
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 16, 2018
