The U.S. government could find no evidence that foreign interference had a “material impact” on the 2018 midterm election infrastructure, according to a classified report compiled by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.
DOJ and DHS released a statement Tuesday summarizing the report, which was delivered to President Donald Trump Monday. The report included information provided by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
“The departments have concluded there is no evidence to date that any identified activities of a foreign government or foreign agent had a material impact on the integrity or security of election infrastructure,” the statement said.
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen said federal officials worked with state, local, and private sector partners, including all 50 states and more than 1,400 local jurisdictions to commission the report.
Late last year, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats issued a similar report saying the intelligence community found no evidence that foreign meddling affected the 2018 election infrastructure.
Coats warned, however, that “Russia, and other foreign countries, including China and Iran, conducted influence activities and messaging campaigns targeted at the United States to promote their strategic interests.”
Federal officials say efforts to safeguard the 2020 elections are already underway.
The inquiry into potential meddling in the 2018 midterm elections were triggered by an executive order from Trump, executed in September.
