DEMS PRESS DNI ON FOREIGN MEDDLING

Reps. Val Demings (D-Fla.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) pressed Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe for answers Thursday on whether any hostile foreign actors were attempting to take advantage of recent U.S. protests to spread misinformation.

In a letter to Ratcliffe, the two House Democrats pointed to specific concerns that foreign actors would seek to exploit increased racial tensions in the U.S. following protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.

“I am writing you today to request information regarding your plans to ensure that foreign actors do not exploit the current heightened tensions in America by spreading misinformation, inciting violence, or utilize any other means to support a foreign agenda not in the best interests of American national security, public health, and safety,” Demings and Krishnamoorthi wrote.

The lawmakers, who both serve on the House Intelligence Committee, asked Ratcliffe for details on whether the intelligence community had a plan in place to respond to any foreign efforts to exploit racial tensions and whether there was evidence that foreign adversaries were already doing so.

“The underlying issues that led to these continued protests are based on years of systemic racism and concerns that originated from American policies and American actors,” the lawmakers wrote. “But we do not want foreign state actors to exploit the injustice in America as we try to heal these wounds and rebuild a more equitable and just society for all.”

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on the letter.