In the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. elections, the FBI has issued a warning about two fraudulent videos circulating online, falsely claimed to be from the agency. According to the FBI, these videos are designed to mislead the public and undermine confidence in the electoral system.
The FBI clarified that both videos are counterfeit, with the first alleging that the agency had apprehended three groups involved in voter fraud. The second video contains false information related to Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. In an official statement, the FBI emphasized that such disinformation poses a significant threat to democracy. “Efforts to deceive the public with misinformation about FBI operations aim to weaken our democratic processes and diminish trust in the electoral system,” the agency noted.
The FBI has urged citizens to rely only on credible sources, such as their local election offices, for information on voting and elections. Additionally, individuals who suspect any criminal activity are encouraged to report it to their state or local law enforcement or contact their nearest FBI field office.
As early voting wraps up across various states, including in Atlanta, where citizens lined up at the High Museum of Art on November 1, 2024, concerns about election-related misinformation have risen. An image of this scene was captured by photographer Elijah Nouvelage and distributed via AFP Getty Images, reflecting the high stakes and public engagement as Election Day approaches.
Disinformation Tactics: A Broader Threat
This recent warning follows findings from U.S. intelligence agencies highlighting that many fake videos are often created by foreign actors, specifically naming Russia, China, and Iran. Although the FBI has not linked the current videos to any foreign sources, there are concerns that similar tactics have been used by foreign adversaries in the past to erode public trust in the election process.
Just a day prior to the FBI’s warning, U.S. intelligence flagged a separate video depicting Haitian immigrants allegedly voting in Georgia. This video was later identified as a Russian influence operation, part of a broader attempt to disrupt the U.S. election.
Election Security: A Top Priority for CISA
Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), underscored the goals of these foreign interference efforts in an interview with ABC News’ Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas. Easterly stated, “These adversaries have two primary objectives: to erode American confidence in our elections and democracy, and to fuel partisan conflict. They seek any opportunity to turn Americans against one another and to foster anger because they know that anger drives engagement.”
In the face of these threats, both the FBI and CISA are intensifying their efforts to protect the integrity of the election. The agencies have ramped up public awareness campaigns to help voters identify reliable sources of information and avoid falling prey to disinformation.