• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy FEC complaint alleges coordinated disinformation campaign from Biden’s 2020 run
Economy

FEC complaint alleges coordinated disinformation campaign from Biden’s 2020 run

by November 10, 2023
by November 10, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

An alleged campaign finance violation could ensnare Secretary of State Antony Blinken and 51 former senior intelligence officials who asserted without evidence in 2020 that the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation.  

America First Legal, a conservative organization run by former Donald Trump White House aide Stephen Miller, filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission in late October, alleging a ‘coordinated communication’ and an unreported in-kind contribution to the Joe Biden presidential campaign and related entities, in violation of federal law. 

‘[The] evidence suggests that the respondents failed to disclose coordinated expenditures constituting in-kind donations with respect to the infamous ‘Letter of 51’ former intelligence officials claiming that the Hunter Biden laptop story had ‘all the classic earmarks’ of Russian disinformation,’ says the 13-page AFL complaint, with 110 accompanying pages of evidence.   

The FEC complaint claims that the Biden for President campaign in 2020, the Biden Victory Fund, the Democratic National Committee, and the Biden Action Fund should have reported on coordinating efforts. 

The ‘Letter of 51’ was released on Oct. 19, 2020, weeks before the Nov. 8 presidential election between Biden and Trump.  

The Obama administration officials who signed included former Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and former CIA director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Former George W. Bush DNI Michael Hayden, a vocal Trump critic, also signed. 

The complaint notes that Panetta and Clapper donated to the Biden Victory Fund and the Biden for President campaign in 2020.  

In March, former CIA Deputy and Acting Director Michael Morrell testified to the House Judiciary Committee and House Intelligence Committees that on Oct. 17, 2020, then-Biden campaign adviser Blinken contacted him to discuss the Hunter Biden laptop story first reported by the New York Post.  

The complaint cited an April statement from the House Judiciary Committee that summarized the Morrell testimony.  

‘Morell testified that his communication with Blinken was one of a few communications he had with the Biden campaign, explaining that he also received a call from Steve Ricchetti, Chairman of the Biden campaign, following the October 22 debate to thank him for writing the statement,’ the House Judiciary Committee press release from April said. ‘Morell also explained that the Biden campaign helped to strategize about the public release of the statement. Morell further explained that one of his two goals in releasing the statement was to help then-[former] Vice President Biden in the debate and to assist him in winning the election.’ 

The letter from intelligence officials provided cover and credibility for social media giants such as Facebook and Twitter to restrict the access and distribution of the Hunter Biden laptop story, first broken by the New York Post. Eventually, both the New York Times and Washington Post verified the authenticity of the Hunter Biden laptop. Also, during the first presidential debate between Trump and Biden, Biden referred to the laptop story as Russian disinformation. 

‘There are reasons to believe that the public statement by 51 former intelligence officials was a coordinated political operation to help elect Vice President Biden in the 2020 presidential election, as set forth below,’ the complaint to the FEC says.  

This fits a pattern of election meddling, said Reed D. Rubinstein, senior counselor and director of oversight and investigations for America First Legal.  

‘In 2016, high-ranking federal intelligence officials interfered in a presidential election, lying about Russia collusion in a failed effort to elect Hilary Clinton,’ Rubinstein said in a statement.  

‘In 2020, many of these same officials again interfered in a presidential election, lying about Hunter Biden,’ Rubenstein continued. ‘The Federal Election Commission’s charge includes election integrity — Americans have the right to know who is coordinating with federal candidates. But this right is only as effective as the agency that enforces it. The FEC must act here.’  

Neither the Biden 2024 presidential campaign nor the Democratic National Committee responded to inquiries for this story.  

The State Department also did not respond to an inquiry about Blinken’s role from Fox News about the matter.  

The complaint alleges that the ’51 former intelligence officials’ statement was part of a carefully orchestrated effort to influence the 2020 election. AFL argued the Biden campaign, through key individuals, actively participated in drafting and disseminating the statement. The complaint argues that the 51 former intelligence officials’ public statement was strategically crafted to discredit the Hunter Biden laptop story, with the intent of aiding Joe Biden’s campaign. 

The complaint details communication between then-Biden campaign advisor Blinken and Morell regarding the Hunter Biden laptop story. For his part, Blinken has denied having a role.  

‘There is reason to believe that the respondents failed to report the above contribution and to identify the individuals who made it,’ the complaint says.  

The complaint also alleges that the disinformation campaign should be considered a ‘coordinated communication’ under FEC regulations, subject to reporting requirements. 

The AFL complaint contends that the Biden campaign actively participated in drafting and disseminating the statement, utilizing the national security credentials of the former intelligence officials to downplay the Hunter Biden laptop revelations. 

The complaint further references a survey that found almost four of five Americans who followed the Hunter Biden laptop scandal thought that honest news coverage would have changed the outcome of the election. The survey by Technometric Institute of Policy and Politics was released in August 2022.  

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Biden called out for ‘factual error’ in ‘Bidenomics’ tweet, after boasting about wage levels
  • Secret Service increased Trump’s protection after Iranian plot to assassinate him
  • New PA House speaker says first meeting of bipartisan group got off to good start, hoping to bridge divide
  • Biden reveals what he said to Trump on phone call after assassination attempt
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Brother of Israeli twin hostages recounts Oct. 7 terrorist attack on their home
next post
This former Republican presidential candidate urges 2024 field to further consolidate

You may also like

Mother of wrongfully detained American on death row in China...

November 14, 2023

FBI Biden bribery doc never made it to IRS investigators,...

June 23, 2023

House Republican says he opposes all temporary government funding bills...

August 22, 2023

WATCH: Dems dismiss Durham report that found flaws in FBI’s...

May 17, 2023

Karine Jean-Pierre dodges questions on Biden repeating story at campaign...

September 23, 2023

Top Crypto Gainers & Losers: Skibidi +53.8%, GIKO -22.5%

October 24, 2024

Hunter Biden says staying sober crucial to preventing a Trump...

February 26, 2024

Ron Klain expected to step down as Biden chief of...

January 21, 2023

Democrats target vulnerable GOP lawmakers for supporting McCarthy’s debt ceiling...

May 20, 2023

Trump’s lawyer says she advises against plea deal in classified...

June 12, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • How to Find Compelling Charts in Every Sector

      July 10, 2025
    • White House accuses Powell of mismanaging Federal Reserve, citing headquarters renovation

      July 10, 2025
    • Italian chocolate giant Ferrero to buy Kellogg’s Froot Loops maker

      July 10, 2025
    • OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome

      July 10, 2025
    • Sports executive charged with bid-rigging in Texas arena project

      July 10, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 3,631 views
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,919 views
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,607 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,577 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,451 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,171)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,662)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • How to Find Compelling Charts in Every Sector

      July 10, 2025
    • White House accuses Powell of mismanaging Federal Reserve, citing headquarters...

      July 10, 2025
    • Italian chocolate giant Ferrero to buy Kellogg’s Froot Loops maker

      July 10, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,171)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,662)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    New Hampshire showdown: Why Trump is...

    January 23, 2024

    How a group of Democrats and...

    February 1, 2023

    Mike Pence courts Catholic voters in...

    July 30, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here