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Some members of the media use their platforms to push their own personal lines, which is dangerous for our democracy.

The speakers discuss the influence of Twitter and its bias towards the far left. They mention how Twitter was seen as an arm of the government and compared it to a state publication like Pravda. The suppression of views that were even mildly right-leaning, including Republicans, was highlighted. The speakers also mention the Twitter files, where individuals like Shellenberger and Matt Taibbi faced consequences for their views, such as audits. Overall, the discussion revolves around the blatant bias and control exerted by Twitter, particularly by the far left.

Trump has frozen millions in USAID funds for foreign media, causing outrage among liberals. Reports reveal that USAID has been funding outlets like Politico and the New York Times, raising concerns about the U.S. government influencing global journalism. Trump’s recent hold on USAID has cut $268 million from media in over 30 countries, affecting 6,200 journalists and 707 news outlets. This situation parallels past revelations about social media collusion with the government to shape public opinion. Critics argue that while they highlight U.S. involvement in foreign affairs, the real issue is that many media outlets are funded by the U.S., including the BBC, which is the second-largest recipient of U.S. funding after the UK government.

For the past few decades, authoritarian countries have been trying to undermine Western societies by fueling divisions. Recently, Russian propagandists have been spreading systematic misinformation through social media, particularly regarding vaccination and climate change. They have found support from right-wing extremists in the US and certain political circles in Europe. The Russians also sought to influence the Brexit vote, as it weakens the European Union. Their goal is to exacerbate social tensions and divisions, while undermining citizens' ability to discern truth from falsehood. The "eye of Moscow" now resides in our smartphones, which can be exploited by both Russian propagandists and advertisers.

Russia is employing familiar tactics to influence public opinion, including leaking information that supports their national interests, such as denigrating Vice President Biden and boosting President Trump. They are also using social media to spread divisive narratives on various political issues in the United States. Russia's overt media is being utilized to promote narratives that align with their national interests. Additionally, they are sponsoring proxy websites that mimic legitimate sources to disseminate information. Furthermore, Russia is employing unwitting US individuals to lend credibility to the information they distribute, making it appear less obvious that it originates from Russia.

Hungary's authoritarian leader Viktor Orban is meeting with Republicans in Washington to push for an end to US military aid to Ukraine. This aligns with the growing alliance between America's far right wing and Europe's, as seen earlier this year when Orban hosted high-profile MAGA supporters at CPAC Hungary. Orban's remarks at the event revealed his opposition to LGBTQ rights and "woke culture," while promoting Hungary as an incubator for conservative policies. It's no surprise that American right-wing figures, including Tucker Carlson, have been supportive of Orban's fascist dictatorship. This alliance poses a threat to democracy and plays into the hands of Putin, who favors Orban's policies. President Biden, on the other hand, will be hosting Ukraine's president at the White House.

Speaker 0: This is not just a story about violence and chaos; this is a money story. At the Government Accountability Institute, Peter Schweitzer and I followed the money to the top of what we call the protest industrial complex, Riot Inc. We found a network of NGOs—not just the Soros/Open Society network, but also the Arabella Funding Network, the Tides Funding Network, Neville Roy Singham and his network, Foreign Cash, and other big left-wing funders, including Hans Georg Wiese of Switzerland. They’re pouring money into this ecosystem. Here are three money facts about Riot Inc. Number one: Riot Inc. has many divisions like any corporation. It doesn’t just have the Antifa boots on the ground division; it has PR divisions, marketing divisions, and a well-funded legal division to get these boots back on the ground as quickly as possible. It has investors I mentioned. Number two: We have identified dozens of radical organizations—not just decentralized Antifa groups, but dozens of radical organizations—that have received more than $100,000,000 from Riot Inc. investors. These include lawyer groups and groups that advocate for calling good honest Americans fascists, etc. Number three: More than $100,000,000 in U.S. taxpayer funding has flowed into these funding networks, including at least $4,000,000 to these very groups themselves. There was an event in Atlanta called Stop Cop City; over 60 rioters were charged with domestic terrorism. These groups received money for that from both the billionaire class and taxpayer money. Additionally, this money helps fund decentralized crowdfunding platforms that support Antifa, the John Brown Gun Club of Elm Fork (which had links to the ICE facility attack), the Socialist Rifle Association, and others. Even though some groups don’t have LLCs or EIN numbers, they can still get paid. Some funding platforms are funded by this network that we call Riot Inc. Speaker 1: Do you know the name of any of the funders? Do you know the names? Because if you do, I’d like you to give them to Cash or Pam—or Christie? Speaker 0: Absolutely. Speaker 1: Or Christie? Speaker 0: Yes, we’ll do that. Speaker 1: As soon as you can. That’s all of you. Because you probably know the names after a certain period of time, you tend to find out. But these are people that do not have good intention for the country and that’s treasonous probably. So if you could, it would be very important if you could do that, it would be great. Speaker 0: it

The company allegedly did not disclose its ties to RT and the Russian government to influencers or their followers. The company claimed it was sponsored by a private investor, but this investor was allegedly fictitious.

Chris Ruffo, a prominent conservative, is now advocating for censorship, contradicting the conservative principle of free speech. His call for censorship follows a scandal involving foreign influence in right-wing think tanks. Ruffo's article in Compact Magazine, funded by George Soros, criticizes anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and calls for silencing dissenting opinions. Soros, a significant donor to progressive causes in Israel, supports leftist factions, while Rupert Murdoch backs right-wing elements. Both sides of the political spectrum are funded by wealthy Jewish donors with differing visions for Israel. Ruffo's push for censorship targets those exposing these funding dynamics, framing them as harmful to the conservative movement's future.

Tucker Carlson, a right-wing media figure, is in Moscow to interview Vladimir Putin. Critics argue that Carlson is not a journalist and instead spreads misinformation on behalf of the Kremlin. They believe his work is biased and not aligned with the facts. Some compare his interview with Putin to watching a scandalous show. Furthermore, there is concern that the Republican Party, including Donald Trump, is doing Putin's bidding. Although some see this as Republicans supporting Putin, others believe they are actually supporting Trump, who in turn supports Putin.

I spent years researching and watching lengthy videos to understand the influence of organizations like the Atlantic Council, which is heavily funded by U.S. government agencies, including the CIA and the Pentagon. This group trains journalists to identify and censor disinformation, particularly targeting populist narratives like those of Donald Trump and Brexit. They promote a framework called the "four D's" of disinformation: dismiss, distort, distract, and dismay. This framework allows them to label factually true information as disinformation if it undermines government narratives. The Atlantic Council's connections to high-ranking CIA officials and its role in shaping media narratives illustrate a troubling intersection of government and media, aiming to control public discourse and influence political outcomes.

I discovered a clip from a nine-hour conference I watched in 2019, which reveals how the Atlantic Council, funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, trains journalists from major media outlets to censor information that undermines government narratives. This organization, known as NATO's think tank, has seven former CIA directors on its board and receives annual funding from various military and intelligence agencies. They promote a framework called the "four D's" of disinformation: dismiss, distort, distract, and dismay. This training aims to suppress populist sentiments, particularly during the 2020 election cycle, by labeling factually true information as disinformation if it contradicts preferred narratives. The Atlantic Council's collaboration with Burisma, signed just before Trump's inauguration, highlights the intertwining of corporate interests and government actions in shaping public discourse.

Russia uses missiles and cyber attacks to interfere with elections and hide truths. They host events like the World Cup to distract from human rights abuses. Trump's support helps Russia weaken the world.

Former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson conducted an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. While some criticize Carlson for being a right-wing conspiracy theorist and a useful idiot for Putin, others argue that he is not a journalist and lacks credibility. They accuse him of spreading propaganda and misinformation, particularly regarding Ukraine. Carlson's interview with Putin is seen as a platform for promoting the Russian president's agenda. Critics express concern about the influence and reach of Carlson's disinformation, describing it as gobsmacking and terrifying. They believe that some Americans yearn for a leader who can suppress opposition, control the media, and act with impunity.

Newly exposed documents reveal a secret EU plot targeting rising right-wing movements in Europe, particularly the Patriots EP, led by Orban, Le Pen, and Vox. Elites are panicking, feeling threatened by the surge of movements like "Make Europe Great Again" and a global shift fueled by Trump and Musk. The strategy aims to reverse the rightward trajectory by consolidating a pro-European majority, including EPP, Renew, and Greens, effectively sidelining nationalist agendas. This involves blacklisting so-called extremist right-wing positions and employing psychological operations to divide and conquer the right. Europeans should recognize criticisms of being "too far right" as manipulation. The right wing is being targeted for subversion and the European right must ignore these attacks and psychological manipulation. Support Infowars at alexjonesstore.com to counter the globalist agenda.

The transcript centers on a long-form discussion of the Epstein case, the alleged “deep state,” FOIA operations, and political maneuvering around Trump, with frequent calls to aggressively release and pursue Epstein-related documents and other investigations. The speakers assert that the FOIA department is being used to shield deep-state ties and that many federal offices are filled with anti-Trump figures who have prevented full disclosure. - Epstein files and the role of the deep state - The speakers claim the Epstein files are being selectively redacted by FOIA departments to conceal deep-state connections. They state that FOIA personnel are controlled by deep-state actors and that Epstein’s case involves a “fleet of aircraft” and operations linked to major power centers. They argue Epstein’s activities connect to money laundering, information laundering, and a broader set of deep-state assets and operations. - They propose a remedy: appoint Tom Fitton as special counsel on the Epstein files, arguing he “knows how FOIA really works,” understands key personnel, and has litigated Epstein-related cases for years. They assert this would restore public confidence and expedite the exposure of Democratic ties and other actors alleged to be involved. - They advocate for Trump to have executive-privilege-style powers to declassify and release Epstein materials, suggesting a broad interpretation of “Epstein file law” that would allow him to disclose or appoint an ombudsman with power to release materials at will. They emphasize the need to disclose Democratic ties and to hold press conferences when releasing documents, avoiding the use of fake documents or videos. - Specific figures and institutions named - Kash Patel is cited as saying there are “open files on a dozen plus coconspirators” and as someone who has noted alleged misdirections by those handling Epstein-related material. - Kyle Serafin and Phil Kennedy are mentioned as documenting a person at the FBI capacity who is “an anti-Trump advocate,” implying that deep-state appointments control FOIA and related processes. - Speaker 0 and Speaker 1 discuss replacing FOIA and related personnel who are deeply implicated; they specifically name Tom Fitton as the ideal choice and entertain other high-profile figures like Tulsi Gabbard as potential custodians of the Epstein disclosures. - Tulsi Gabbard is described as being in charge of broader investigations tied to the Epstein files and other major political issues (elections, COVID-19, etc.). They also reference “Epstein files” intersecting with other investigations they attribute to the deep state. - Epstein, Maxwell, and allied networks - Epstein is described as deeply embedded with Western intelligence agencies (French, Israeli, UK, and US) and tied to Robert Maxwell, with Maxwell’s daughter linked to Epstein. Epstein is portrayed as having been “recruited by Bill Barr” and as a central figure in a long-running intelligence and blackmail operation. - The discussion links Epstein to Leslie Wexner (Victoria’s Secret founder) and a French talent agency, portraying these connections as part of a large, interconnected network involved in money laundering, arms trafficking, blackmail, and intelligence work. - The speakers insist that Epstein’s activities extended to the late 1990s and beyond, including alleged involvement in “Shutters” in Santa Monica and other high-profile cases, with a consistent pattern of using underage girls and blackmail to exert influence. - They emphasize a broader motive: exposing the “deep state” to vindicate Trump and indict deep-state actors who allegedly engaged in illicit operations, including foreign intelligence services and Western governments. - The broader political frame and potential indictments - The Epstein files are presented as a potential hinge for indicting a wide array of figures across political lines, including references to Comey, Mueller, Hillary Clinton-era actors, and other “rogue actors” who allegedly hindered investigations. - The conversation ties Epstein to broader themes: the 2020 election, COVID policies, and anti-Trump actions by the “deep state.” They contend that the Epstein disclosures could demonstrate the depth of state interference in political processes and media, making Democrats and their institutions targets of accountability. - They argue the Epstien files could show criminal activity by multiple national actors, including Israeli, UK, and French components, and could reveal coordinated efforts to derail Trump and manipulate media narratives. - The Candace Owens angle and related criticisms - A substantial portion of the dialogue critiques Candace Owens, alleging she is running a “CIA-style” operation that distracts from the true conspiracy around the deep state and Tarantifa, and that she manipulates narratives related to Tyler Robinson and Charlie Kirk. - They accuse Owens of shifting narratives, fabricating alibis, and promoting disinformation, calling her a “SIOP” (psychological operation) and alleging her behind-the-scenes connections to MI6 or other international actors through her husband (George Farmer) and other associates. - They recount multiple incidents where Owens purportedly changed stories about meetings, alibis, and involvement in various investigations, asserting she uses “receipts” selectively and inconsistently to support divergent claims. - The speakers allege that Owens’s public warfare against Trump and TP USA is part of a broader intelligence operation intended to disrupt conservative momentum, link to Royal/MI6 circles, and undermine investigations into the deep state and its networks. - Tyler Robinson case and media dynamics - They describe Tyler Robinson as a Middle American figure whose transformation into a political actor is portrayed as a product of online radicalization and Tarantifa-linked influences. They claim there was a concerted effort to spoon-feed disinformation about Robinson and Candace Owens’ involvement. - They argue this is part of a larger pattern of media manipulation and disinformation designed to distract from real conspiracies and to target Trump and conservative movements. - Strategy and messaging guidance - The speakers advocate for Trump to go on the offensive with Epstein, releasing comprehensive, verified documentation, and pushing accountability for “rogue actors” in the FBI, the DOJ, the CIA, and the NSA. - They stress the need for aggressive prosecution and the appointment of trusted figures to lead the Epstein disclosures, arguing that this could restore public confidence and pivot the political conversation toward accountability for the deep state. - They urge addressing the statute of limitations issues in COVID, January 6, and 2020 election-related cases before the window closes in early 2026, warning that delays by Bondi, Blanche, and others could jeopardize prosecutions and political support. - Promotional and logistical notes - The dialogue includes frequent mentions of promoting Alex Jones programs, products, and stores (alexjonesstore.com and infowarsstore.com) to fund operations, along with appeals to listeners to support the broadcasts financially and through purchases, framing financial support as essential to sustaining investigations, media efforts, and broader political action. In sum, the transcript presents an entangled, aggressively conspiratorial narrative: a claim that Epstein’s files illuminate a vast, deeply embedded deep-state apparatus spanning multiple nations and agencies; a call to appoint trusted figures (notably Tom Fitton) to supervise full disclosure; a push for Trump to declassify and publicly prosecute the implicated actors; a harsh critique of Candace Owens as part of a disinformation ecosystem; and a broader strategy to use Epstein, along with related investigations, to dismantle perceived institutional corruption while fueling political narratives and fundraising.

The discussion centers on OCCRP (the Corruption Reporting Project), its funding, and how it operates as “mercenary media” for state interests, particularly the U.S. State Department and USAID. The speakers argue that OCCRP is not independent journalism but a State Department–funded operation that produces hit pieces to seize assets, indict officials, and press regime change across multiple countries. Key findings and claims discussed - OCCRP’s funding and control: The group is described as receiving substantial funding from the United States government through USAID and the State Department, with other sources including Open Society (Soros), Microsoft, and NED. A recurring claim is that half of OCCRP’s funding comes from the U.S. government, that USAID and the State Department actually control hiring and firing decisions of top personnel, and that a “cooperative agreement” structure channels editorial direction through government-approved annual work plans and key personnel (including the editor‑in‑chief or chief of party). - Financial returns and impact: It is claimed that USAID boasted in internal documents that paying $20 million to independent journalists yielded $4.5 billion in fines and assets seized, and that mercenary reporting led to 548 policy changes, 21 resignations or removals (including a president and a prime minister), 456 arrests or indictments, and roughly $10 billion in assets returned to government coffers across various countries (Central Europe, Eastern Partnership, Western Balkans, etc.). A related claim is that total spending over OCCRP’s history amounts to about $50 million, with returns rising from $4.5 billion in 2022 to about $10 billion by 2024. - Geographic scope and targets: The reporting funded or influenced by the State Department covered broad regions—Germany, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, and the Western Balkans—extending to the Eastern Partnership and beyond. The pieces are described as having led to investigations and asset seizures that targeted political enemies of state authorities. - The role of “mercenary media” and independence claims: The speakers repeatedly contrast the claimed editorial independence of OCCRP with the reality of donor influence. They describe OCCRP as “mercenary media for the state,” funded to generate narratives and political outcomes favorable to U.S. foreign policy. They challenge the notion of independent journalism by noting the requirement that key personnel and annual work plans be approved or vetoed by USAID, and that there are “strings attached” to cooperative agreements that go beyond simple gifts. - Editorial process and donor influence: The conversation scrutinizes how the annual work plan, subgrants, and editor-level appointments are subject to USAID oversight. It is noted that, even when OCCRP claims editorial independence, the top editors must navigate donor influence, and in practice, the content may be shaped to align with funders’ interests. The argument is that without donor influence, OCCRP would not exist or would not continue to receive large sums of money. - The rhetoric of independence: Several speakers underscore the paradox of insisting on “independent media” while acknowledging that funding, governance, and personnel decisions are shaped by U.S. government agencies, with additional support from Soros/Open Society and corporate donors like Microsoft. They juxtapose “independence” rhetoric with admissions of entanglement with government and intelligence entities, and their discussions touch on the historical context of U.S. public diplomacy, the U.S. Information Agency, and the evolution of state-driven media influence. - Historical funding trajectory and organizations: The first funds reportedly came from sources such as the United Nations Democracy Fund, with later support from INL (the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement) and a transition to USAID administration. The participants discuss the possibility that multiple U.S. government agencies (State Department, USAID, NED, INL) and private sponsors (Open Society, Microsoft) contribute to OCCRP’s budget, with the U.S. government described as the largest donor at various points, though not always claimed as the single dominating donor. - “Capacity building” and the machinery of influence: The conversation highlights “capacity building” as a common label for donor-driven expansion of media assets, civil society groups, and investigative journalism networks. They connect these efforts to broader U.S. democracy promotion programs and to the use of investigative reporting as a tool for law enforcement and political leverage—where journalists may gather information and feed it to prosecutors and foreign policy objectives. - Individual positions and disclosures: Several speakers identify named individuals (e.g., Drew Sullivan, Shannon McGuire) and discuss their roles, funding pathways, and concerns about editorial control. The dialogue reveals tensions between the journalists’ professional aims and the political-economic machinery enabling their work. Cumulative impression - The transcript presents a frontal, highly confrontational critique of OCCRP as a state-funded, state-influenced enterprise that positions itself as independent journalism while enabling significant political and legal actions abroad. The speakers claim conspicuously high returns on investment for government funding (billions of dollars in assets seized and numerous political changes) and describe the cooperative funding structure as funneling editorial output toward U.S. foreign policy objectives. They argue that independence is a veneer masking a structured, donor-driven process with formal approval channels for personnel and plans, and with direct implications for how narratives are shaped and which targets are pursued. They also connect OCCRP’s practices to broader historical patterns of U.S. public diplomacy, intelligence collaboration, and the global propaganda ecosystem.

The transcript traces an expansive network centered on Michael Flynn, naming numerous figures, organizations, and suggested linkages to illustrate a web of connections across politics, media, and private security firms. Key connections and chains include: - Laura Logan: married to intelligence contractor Joe Burkett; friends with Ed Butowski, involved in the Seth Rich wiretapping through Shadow Box, connected to Michael Levine, Manuel Chavez, Thomas Schoenberger, Trevor Fitzgibbon (who ran Silent Partner, involved with RFK Jr.’s PAC); links to WikiLeaks, Matt Couch, Malia Zimmerman; her husband’s role in the Lincoln Group, part of a joint psychological operation that evolved into Strategic Social and then Constellis (Blackwater’s successor after mergers with Triple Canopy). Specific personnel named include Juliet Produs, Thomas McMagnanny, Jay Christie, Tom Cadis, Matt Mann, Greg Mulligan, Matt Luckett. - Blackwater lineage: Eric Prince (connected to Edgar Prince) is linked to training James O’Keefe and helping set up Project Veritas; he runs an unplugged phone through Iran Karpen, tied to NSO, Q Cyber Technologies, and OSY Technologies that supposedly fund Michael Flynn. - Flynn’s broader network: Jerome Coursey (friend of Ted Malik) connected to the United Nations, US State Department, WEF, and the Committee on Foreign Relations; Coursey is also linked to Roger Stone and Alex Jones; Flynn is connected to Millie Weaver (Shadowgate) and Patrick Bergey; Alex Jones and Milo are also part of the connections; Flynn’s ties extend to Dustin Nemos. - Relationships to power and media figures: Eric Prince’s sister Betsy DeVos, married to Dick DeVos, funding Blaze Media (Blaze TV) with Dave Rubin, Glenn Beck, Jason Whitlock, Daniel Horowitz, Sarah Gonzales, Mark Levin, Steve Deese, among others. Flynn’s connection to Donald Trump is highlighted, including Trump’s appointment of Flynn to the US military academy alongside David Belavia, Wesley Hunt, Dan Crenshaw? (the text says Dan Walrith), and Steve Bannon’s daughter; Trump also appointed Dina Powell, Charlie Kirk, and Tommy Tuberville to the Air Force Board of Visitors. - Media figures and influencers: Milo connected to Breitbart and Steve Bannon, who is linked to Brock Pierce; Milo’s collaborations with Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kanye West, Nick Fuentes; Nick Fuentes’ past work with Ben Shapiro (Daily Wire: Matt Walsh, Candace Owens, Reagan Conrad). The group is said to be sponsored by PureTalk and connected to Dennis Prager or PragerU; PureTalk allegedly funds Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump Jr., and seventeen eighty nine capital involves Rebecca Mercer, Omid Malik, and Peter Thiel, with Robert Mercer behind Milo. - Tech, analytics, and think tanks: Cambridge Analytica, Palantir, SLC Group are named as Flynn being paid by; a dinner with Vladimir Putin and Jill Stein is cited; Erdogan and Reza Zorabh (Zorab) are mentioned; Flynn Intel Group, Fig Aviation, Fig Cyber (Tim Newberry) are named, with Fig Cyber run by Tim Newberry (White Canvas Group, Black Core Solutions) that receive Pentagon contracts. VizSense, Colt Ventures (Darren Blanton) involve John Iadanisi and Tim Newberry, with Iadanisi tied to the DOD. - Other affiliations: Flynn linked to Paul Manafort, who links to Donald Trump; Rudy Giuliani is noted as being on InfoWars; Mike Cernovich; Phyllis Schlafly (AEI), connected to the opioid crisis via Sally Seadle (working for Purdue Pharma, funded by the Sackler family); JD Vance’s connections to AEI and Sally Satel; references to IP three international activities around nuclear energy with Jared Kushner and Robert McFarlane; Derek Harvey connected to David Petraeus, US Central Command, and KKR; Keith Alexander from the NSA; Surrey Green Energy Center owning Dominion Energy and Green Energy Partners; Catas Cloud Solutions; Scott Jernigan (Oracle); UltraScale Digital Infrastructure; CloudSphere; Mission Critical Group; Heritage Foundation ties (Michael Flynn to Michael Ladine, Paul Vallely, Michael Aquino, noted as Church of Satan/Temple of Set connections). The speaker suggests these strands will expand, asserting that shadow box, Silent Partner, America’s Future, Eric Prince, Cambridge Analytica, and related elements are all connected. The closing remarks acknowledge ongoing mapping of the Michael Flynn network and anticipate further expansion.

We were covering an article about 55,000 Democrat NGOs discovered to be contributing to campaigns, moving things around, and pushing propaganda. It was discovered through AI that to figure out where the money's coming from, you have to go through layers and layers, and it's all funneling down to one group or another. It's a giant propaganda machine, a giant regime change machine.

The company allegedly did not disclose its ties to RT and the Russian government to influencers or their followers. The company claimed it was sponsored by a private investor, but this investor was allegedly fictitious.

Suzanne provided an overview of the Beyond the Ballot project and the broader Defending Democratic Institutions framework, focusing on how disinformation and information operations threaten public confidence in our courts and justice system. She emphasized that while Russia is the most aggressive actor in this space, other countries and domestic voices are increasingly involved, with Russia amplifying domestic narratives. The core insight is that these information operations exploit preexisting divisions and genuine grievances, rather than creating entirely new ones, and their aim is to undermine trust in democratic institutions, including the judiciary. Key evidence and framing from her three-year inquiry is summarized as follows: - Russia’s information operations target democracy and its institutions, including the justice system, and other countries imitate Kremlin tactics. Domestic voices are also engaged, and Russia amplifies those efforts. - These operations exploit weaknesses in our own system. They lean into legitimate grievances and seek to undermine perceived integrity, impartiality, and independence of the courts; they portray the judiciary as biased or corrupt or as a tool of elites. - The attack is not limited to elections but is a year-round threat to democratic legitimacy, including the justice system, and is aimed at weakening public trust in outcomes and processes. - Historical context includes the 2016 election, where propaganda, hack-and-leak activity, and attempts to disrupt voter data integrity were observed. Suzanne describes how such activity can extend to the justice system through hacking, leaking of judicial materials, or social media campaigns that manipulate perceptions of court legitimacy. - A notable case example is Twin Falls, Idaho (2016), where social media misinformation about refugees led to public outcry before facts were clarified. Fake accounts created by the Internet Research Agency in Russia pushed narratives that the justice system was failing, targeting prosecutors, judges, and politicians. - Russia uses three channels: social media, state-sponsored media (RT, Sputnik), and official statements by Russian officials. Narratives commonly assert that the justice system is broken, tolerates crime by immigrants, is biased, serves corrupt interests, or is controlled by a political elite. - Narratives are designed to erode confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and to frame reforms as evidence of systemic collapse. Examples include RT’s coverage and other propaganda aimed at inflaming racial and political tensions. - The campaign also leverages issues around race and policing, featuring fake affinity groups that appear to support opposing sides to inflame tensions and further undermine trust in institutions. - The FBI has warned that the threat extends beyond elections to a broader assault on democracy, with a focus on information operations aimed at all democratic institutions. Concretely, the project’s ongoing work includes: researching adversary threats to democratic institutions; defending the justice system through public awareness; conducting workshops and training for state and federal courts on cybersecurity and disinformation; building a rapid response and education network with legal organizations; and civic education as a national security imperative. The objective is to rebuild public resilience against pernicious messaging, encourage informed citizen participation, and motivate the public to hold institutions accountable while accepting legitimate outcomes. In response to questions, Suzanne underscored that members of the bar have a vital role: they can educate communities, correct disinformation related to specific cases (which judges cannot easily address), and engage in close contact with courts to safeguard democratic legitimacy. She urged lawyers nationwide to be more engaged in educating the public about the justice system and the mechanisms to hold it accountable.

There are Americans involved in propaganda efforts, similar to those that supported Trump in 2016. It’s worth considering whether these individuals should face civil or criminal charges as a means of deterrence.