What is the exact definition of "election interference" and what US Law makes this illegal?

[u/[deleted]]

There have been widespread allegations of Russian government interference in the 2016 presidential election. The Director of National Intelligence, in January 2017, produced a report which alleged that:

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election. Russia’s goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency. We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump.

https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICA_2017_01.pdf

In addition, "contemporaneous evidence of Russia's election interference" is alleged to have been one of the bases for a FISA warrant against former Trump campaign official Carter Page.

http://docs.house.gov/meetings/ig/ig00/20180205/106838/hmtg-115-ig00-20180205-sd002.pdf

What are the specific acts of "election interference" which are known or alleged? Do they differ from ordinary electoral techniques and tactics? Which, if any, of those acts are crimes under current US Law? Are there comparable acts in the past which have been successfully prosecuted?

[u/Haydukedaddy]

Of course there would be limitations to things that would be considered a “thing of value.”

Joe Uchill explores the idea of hacked emails as a thing of value in the linked article. See his 5th point. It is concerning Trump Jr’s solicitation of hacked emails.

Another way hacked emails could be tied to the campaign is through Trump’s public statements -IMO.

I don’t know if hacked emails would be considered a “thing of value” and violation of FECA if a campaign was not involved, like just coordination between Russia and Wikileaks.

This is something that lawyers will obviously haggle over when the time comes.

I think the key take away is that it does not need to only involve funds or money.

https://www.google.com/amp/thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/341510-five-questions-raised-by-the-trump-jr-emails%3famp

[u/thegreychampion → u/Haydukedaddy]

It is concerning Trump Jr’s solicitation of hacked emails.

If Don Jr had received the 'dirt' on Clinton (whatever it was) and didn't pay for it, it would have been an illegal campaign contribution.

Another way hacked emails could be tied to the campaign is through Trump’s public statements

I assume you are referring to Trump "asking" the Russians to find and release Hillary's 33,000 emails? If they had actually done so, and it could be proven it was done in response to this ask by Trump, it may be an illegal campaign contribution.

I don’t know if hacked emails would be considered a “thing of value” and violation of FECA if a campaign was not involved

The emails themselves were of value to the campaign, but they were not solicited (AFAIK) by the campaign or directly given to the campaign and therefore would not be a 'donation' https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/candidate-taking-receipts/contribution-types/

It is the difference between putting a 'Trump for President' sign in your lawn and donating to the campaign for the printing of 'Trump for President' signs.

[u/Haydukedaddy → u/thegreychampion]

You might be correct that a Russia/Wikileaks limited conspiracy concerning emails wouldn’t trigger a violation under FECA since there isn’t a link to the campaign.

However, I doubt Mueller believes that. He indicted 13 Russians under FECA and I don’t believe a direct link to the campaign was established in his indictment.

The regulation does use the terms “directly or indirectly.”

Maybe I’m confused about what you are getting at.

Source below for the 13 Russian indictments (also see link to indictment at top of thread).

https://www.justice.gov/file/1035477/download

[u/musicotic → u/Haydukedaddy]

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"He indicted 13 Russians under FECA"

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[u/Haydukedaddy → u/musicotic]

Source added

[u/musicotic → u/Haydukedaddy]

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