The FBI is investigating alleged attempts by Iran to target the then-Biden-Harris campaign, sources familiar with the matter confirmed to ABC News.
The alleged targeting via spear-fishing emails occurred before Biden announced he would exit the 2024 presidential race, the sources said.
While the campaign was targeted, the alleged hack was not successful, sources added.
The FBI is investigating a purported hack of the Trump campaign, according to a brief statement from the agency earlier Monday.
The FBI did not attribute the hack to anyone in its statement.
A source familiar with the matter told ABC News that Trump adviser Roger Stone has also been informed that his email accounts have been compromised, and that he’s cooperating with any investigation into the matter.
The Washington Post first reported the news.
-ABC News’ Luke Barr, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Will Steakin and Katherine Faulders
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into alleged hack attempts targeting the campaigns of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 election. The FBI’s Cyber Division is working diligently to uncover the source of these hack attempts and prevent any further interference in the democratic process.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the hack attempts were detected by cybersecurity experts who noticed suspicious activity on the campaigns’ servers. The hackers reportedly attempted to gain access to sensitive campaign information, including internal communications, strategy documents, and voter data.
The FBI is taking these hack attempts very seriously, as any interference in the electoral process is a direct threat to democracy. The agency is working closely with both campaigns to secure their systems and ensure that their data remains safe from malicious actors.
In a statement, FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the electoral process. “We will not tolerate any attempts to undermine our democracy or interfere in our elections,” Wray said. “The FBI is committed to identifying and prosecuting those responsible for these hack attempts.”
The investigation into the hack attempts targeting the Biden and Trump campaigns comes amid growing concerns about foreign interference in US elections. In recent years, Russia, China, and other foreign actors have been accused of attempting to influence US elections through cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and other tactics.
Experts warn that cyberattacks targeting political campaigns are becoming increasingly common, as hackers seek to gain access to sensitive information that can be used to sway public opinion or disrupt the electoral process. It is crucial for campaigns to take cybersecurity seriously and implement robust measures to protect their data from malicious actors.
As the FBI continues its investigation into the hack attempts targeting the Biden and Trump campaigns, it is essential for all political campaigns to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to secure their systems. By working together with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts, campaigns can help safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and protect democracy from outside interference.
