By Steve Neavling
Iranian hackers attempted to interfere in the 2024 election by sending unsolicited emails containing stolen information from Donald Trump’s campaign to individuals associated with then-Democratic candidate Joe Biden, according to a joint statement from the FBI and other federal agencies.
Officials said that there is no evidence any of the recipients engaged with the emails, which were largely dismissed as spam or phishing attempts, the Associated Press reports. Several media outlets were also reportedly approached with the material but chose not to publish it.
The emails, which included non-public information from Trump’s campaign, were sent before the Trump campaign publicly acknowledged the breach.
U.S. officials condemned the action as part of an ongoing effort by Iran to meddle in the election, continuing a broader pattern of foreign interference.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, which also received the emails, described the activity as “unwelcome and unacceptable.”
This incident is the latest in a series of public announcements by U.S. officials to highlight foreign efforts to influence American elections. Authorities have taken steps, including criminal charges and sanctions, against foreign actors, notably involving Iran and Russia. The contrast between the government’s transparency in this case and its handling of Russian interference during the 2016 election has drawn attention, with some noting a more proactive approach this time around.
The emails sent to Biden’s associates, which occurred in late June and early July, included excerpts from stolen campaign materials, though officials stress there’s no indication the recipients knew the origin of the content or engaged with it.
