JD Vance Rejects Action Against Russia Over Election Interference: “That’s What They Do”

Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio addressed the latest Russian disinformation efforts in the US elections following the FBI, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in a statement Friday that Russia is behind a fake video is being spread on social media showing someone tearing up ballots in the important swing state of Pennsylvania.

In ‘Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan’, the Republican vice presidential candidate would not promise to take action against Russia to hold the country accountable for its interference in the presidential election.

“I think many countries will try to manipulate our voters. They will try to manipulate our elections. That’s what they do,” Vance told Brennan. “I think the bigger question is what is in our interest vis-à-vis Russia, and not what price Russia should pay for publishing videos on social media.”

U.S. intelligence did that assessed that Russia is trying to undermine the Harris campaign, while Iran is trying to undermine the Trump campaign. In one case, the ODNI report outlined that a Russian military intelligence unit “attempted to recruit a likely unwitting American individual to organize protests in the United States.”

Vance criticized the effectiveness of the Biden administration’s sanctions on Russia over its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, arguing that U.S. foreign policy should not be based on whether a country “distributes videos on social media ‘, but instead on what is reported in the media. The interests of the United States.

When asked if Russia’s manipulation crossed a red line, Vance said he thought it was “bad,” but when asked if he would ask Moscow to “take it out,” Vance doubted it would have any impact.

‘Well of course. I’d call them to finish it, but this isn’t a schoolyard. I’m calling

If Moscow wants to shake it off, will they actually do so?’ said Vance. “I condemn the Russians for funding false views on social media, but I don’t think my job as a statesman, as a person who wants to be the next vice president of the United States, is going to engage in sabre-rattling.”

Vance focused the conversation on what he said is one of the biggest concerns for him: that Russia “stop supporting the Iranians while the Iranians engage in aggression” in the Middle East. On Friday, Israel carried out limited strikes on military sites in Iran, in retaliation for The Iranian attack of October 1, which launched approximately 180 ballistic missiles at Israel.

Russian disinformation groups have done that too orchestrated baseless claims targeting Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, experts said, and propagated a false report that Vice President Kamala Harris was involved in a hit-and-run incident in 2011.

On the integrity of the state-run elections, the GOP vice presidential candidate, who spoke with Brennan in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, expressed confidence.

“I think they’re doing well. I think they’re doing better than they did in 2020,” Vance said. “And most importantly, I think most Americans see whether it’s voter ID in places like Wisconsin or Georgia, or a little bit of tightening of the rules around signature verification in places like Pennsylvania, I think our elections are in a pretty good place located. by 2024.”

He said he only expects legal challenges “if there is something going on,” for example, “from an illegal alien casting a vote, yes, we are going to challenge that in court.” Under federal law, it is illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections.

As to whether he would uphold the Constitution and ensure his running mate does so as well, Vance said “of course,” while noting he’s not concerned about Trump on this issue.

“I think Donald Trump believes in the US Constitution. I know he does. I’ve seen it in his actions. I talked to him about it,” Vance said. “But you asked about me, and personally, yes, my first loyalty is to the American people and to the American Constitution.”

Margaret Brennan

Margaret Brennan is the moderator of CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” Based in Washington, DC, Brennan is also the network’s chief foreign affairs correspondent and a contributing correspondent for 60 Minutes.