WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities with the intent to interfere with U.S. elections and political processes, including the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“Today’s indictment is a powerful step toward understanding the extent of Russia’s malevolent interference in the 2016 election.  It is a notable development as Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation continues to look into threats from Russia to undermine our democracy.

“The indictment alleges some very serious and disturbing actions, including the waging of “information warfare against the United States of America” in which Russians went to great lengths to create false personas on social media, including posing as Americans, and stirred up various groups in the U.S. through misleading and provocative actions.  It alleges that Kremlin-linked agents undertook these political activities to interfere with the 2016 presidential election, including to assist President Trump’s campaign and to disparage Hillary Clinton.

“Special Counsel Mueller is a thoughtful and thorough law enforcement professional.  Today’s indictment and the progress he has made in this investigation thus far prove that looking further into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election is needed to bring the full weight of the law against those who conspired to influence our elections.  It also proves that the investigation must be continued in order to protect our future elections in 2018 and beyond from malign foreign influence.

“The rule of law is the bedrock of our democracy and this investigation is vitally important.  We simply can’t allow Russian interference in our democracy.  Today’s indictment represents further headway into a very serious and grave threat to our nation.”

Mueller’s indictment charges all of the defendants with conspiracy to defraud the U.S., three defendants with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and five with aggravated identity theft.