By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies
In a development raising concerns about the security of political campaigns, U.S. authorities have revealed that cybercriminals linked to China may have targeted phones and networks associated with former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed to CBS News that the Trump-Vance campaign was alerted to potential breaches in their communications infrastructure.
The cyber attack appears to be part of a broader attempt that also included people linked to the Harris-Walz campaign. While it remains unclear what, if any, information may have been compromised, both the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a joint statement acknowledging an ongoing investigation. They confirmed that actors affiliated with China had made unauthorized attempts to access commercial telecommunications infrastructure in the United States.
Following the discovery of “malicious activity,” the FBI and CISA immediately notified affected companies, offering technical assistance and sharing information to prevent further breaches. “Agencies across the U.S. government are collaborating to aggressively mitigate this threat and are coordinating with our industry partners to strengthen cyber defenses across the commercial communications sector,” the statement read.
The Trump campaign has pointed fingers at Democrats, alleging the attack was intended to thwart Trump’s return to the White House. However, law enforcement sources told CBS that they currently view the breach as an act of espionage rather than an attempt to influence the campaign directly.
Reports indicate that telecommunications giant Verizon may have been one of the primary points of entry for the hackers. Verizon confirmed that a “highly sophisticated nation-state actor” had targeted U.S. telecommunications providers and stated that it is fully cooperating with law enforcement. “We are assisting agencies in addressing any further security concerns,” Verizon spokesperson Rich Young noted.
This marks the second time the Trump campaign has faced cyber threats this year. In September, three Iranians allegedly linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were charged with attempting to disrupt the campaign.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated in a recent statement that foreign actors often view U.S. elections as a strategic target for influencing public opinion and undermining democracy. In January, FBI Director Christopher Wray cautioned that Chinese hackers were preparing for attacks that could cause “real-world harm.”
The investigation remains ongoing, as U.S. authorities work with private companies to prevent further breaches and fortify the nation’s cyber defenses ahead of the 2024 election.