China ‘using TikTok, Twitter and cyberattacks to target US election systems,’ says NSA Robert O’Brien
CHINESE hackers have targeted US election infrastructure according to White House national security adviser, Robert O'Brien.
O'Brien warned that the influential cyber attacks are attempts to stop Trump staying in office.
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O'Brien told CBS News’ Face The Nation that hackers have been trying to access government websites as well as “influence operations, whether it’s on TikTok or Twitter and other spaces.”
“China — like Russia, like Iran — they’ve engaged in cyberattacks and phishing and that sort of thing with respect to our election infrastructure, with respect to websites and that sort of thing.”
“It’s a real concern,” he added. “They’d like to see the President lose."
He claimed that Trump has made enemies abroad by being “tougher on China than any president in history.”
'WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT UP WITH IT'
In his first TV interview since recovering from coronavirus, O'Brien came out swinging against the alleged attacks.
He said: “Whether it’s China, Russia or Iran, we’re not going to put up with it.
“There will be severe consequences with any country that attempts to interfere with our free and fair election.
“Whether their leaders prefer Joe Biden or prefer Donald Trump, it doesn’t matter. We’re Americans.
“We’re not going to have foreign countries deciding who our next president is going to be. That’s outrageous.”
In an apparent direct message to the accused nations, he threatened: “Don’t get involved in our elections.
"Don’t do it because there will be severe consequences.”
O’Brien said the Trump administration had “made it very clear” to Russia to stay out of the election.
However, an Office of the Director of National Intelligence report was released on Friday, saying the Kremlin was trying to “denigrate” Joe Biden’s bid while giving a “boost” to Trump’s campaign.
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“There’s almost nothing we can sanction left of the Russians,” O’Brien said, insisting that “no administration has been tougher” on the nation since its apparent meddling in the 2016 election.
“We’ve sanctioned the heck out of the Russians — individuals, companies, the government,” he said.
“We’ve kicked out literally scores of Russian spies. We’ve closed down all their consulates on the West Coast. We closed down diplomatic facilities. There’s not a lot left we can do with the Russians,” he said.
