Federal law enforcement officials plan to announce criminal charges Friday in connection with the alleged Iranian hack of emails from members of former President Donald Trump’s campaign, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
The Iranians allegedly gained access to data and files taken from the email accounts of Trump advisers, which included internal documents used to vet Trump’s perspective running mate, the sources said.
The Trump campaign, as victims, would be notified of any criminal charges that happen, as is standard Department of Justice practice.
Sources tell ABC News the Trump campaign has been informed.
In this July 31, 2024, file photo, former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the New Holland Arena in Harrisburg, Pa.
Joe Lamberti/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
A Justice Department official declined to comment when reached by ABC News.
A Trump campaign spokesperson also declined to comment.
According to recent reports, sources close to the investigation have indicated that criminal charges are imminent in the alleged Iranian hack of Trump campaign emails. The hack, which occurred during the 2016 presidential election, has been a subject of intense scrutiny and speculation for years.
The alleged hack was first brought to light in 2018 when it was reported that Iranian hackers had gained access to the email accounts of several high-ranking officials in the Trump campaign. The hackers were said to have stolen sensitive information and used it to sow discord and confusion within the campaign.
Since then, investigators have been working tirelessly to uncover the full extent of the hack and identify those responsible. Now, it appears that their efforts are finally paying off, with sources indicating that criminal charges are on the horizon.
The implications of this development are significant. If charges are indeed filed, it would mark a major escalation in the ongoing cyber warfare between nations. It would also serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of political campaigns to foreign interference.
Furthermore, the timing of these potential charges is particularly noteworthy, coming as they do in the midst of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. The Trump administration has already taken a hardline stance against Iran, imposing harsh sanctions and withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. These charges could further strain relations between the two countries and potentially lead to further retaliatory actions.
In light of these developments, it is more important than ever for political campaigns to take cybersecurity seriously. The threat of foreign interference in elections is very real, and campaigns must do everything in their power to protect themselves from hackers and other malicious actors.
As we await further details on the impending criminal charges, one thing is clear: the Iranian hack of Trump campaign emails is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by cyber warfare and the need for vigilance in protecting our democratic institutions.
