Key facts
- President Donald Trump is set to speak on Thursday about foreign interference in the 2020 U.S. election.
- The speech will cover newly declassified intelligence regarding foreign nations' alleged plans.
- A 2021 U.S. intelligence assessment found no evidence that foreign actors altered any technical aspect of the 2020 election.
- The assessment stated Russia conducted influence operations to support Trump and undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral process.
- China considered but did not conduct influence operations, while Iran pursued a covert campaign against Trump.
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to deliver remarks on Thursday concerning newly declassified intelligence related to foreign interference in the 2020 U.S. election, according to an MS Now reporter who cited two unidentified White House officials.
Trump has consistently asserted that widespread fraud impacted the 2020 vote, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. However, multiple court rulings, ballot audits, and investigations by his administration's Justice Department have found no evidence of significant fraud that could have altered the election's outcome.
For over a year, the administration has pursued increased federal oversight of election administration, aiming to change voting processes. Legal experts suggest this effort could shift power from states, potentially violating the U.S. Constitution.
A 2021 U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that no foreign actor attempted or succeeded in altering any technical aspect of the 2020 presidential election, including voter registrations, ballots, tabulations, or results.
The same assessment indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized parts of his government to conduct influence operations intended to favor Trump and diminish public trust in the U.S. electoral system.
Furthermore, the assessment stated that China considered implementing influence operations to alter the election outcome but ultimately decided against it. Iran, however, engaged in a covert, multi-pronged influence campaign aimed at undermining Trump's candidacy.
The intelligence report was compiled by the National Intelligence Council, with contributions from the CIA, Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the State Department’s intelligence bureau, and the National Security Agency.