| | | | |  | | By Maggie Miller, Robbie Gramer and Eric Bazail-Eimil | | 
As Americans head to the polls today, U.S. officials are on high alert for potential threats to election security that could compromise the integrity of the presidential vote. | Morry Gash/AP | With help from Paul McLeary, Daniel Lippman and Phelim Kine Subscribe here | Email Robbie | Email Eric After years of the U.S. government’s preparations, simulations and public campaigns to secure the country’s election infrastructure, it’s finally game day. As Americans head to the polls today, U.S. officials are on high alert for potential threats to election security — foreign or domestic — that could compromise the integrity of the presidential vote. That won’t stop foreign powers from trying apparently, particularly Russia. There are already cases of foreign interference popping up in swing states like Georgia and Arizona, though the fallout so far has been relatively contained. Georgia’s Republican secretary of state BRAD RAFFENSPERGER said today that two polling locations in the state’s Fulton County received false bomb threats, and that those threats appear to have originated in Russia. “They’re up to mischief, it seems. They don’t want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election, and if they can get us to fight among ourselves, they can count that as a victory,” Raffensperger said. “That tells you a little bit about the Russians.” Meanwhile, in Arizona, another swing state, Democratic secretary of state ADRIAN FONTES blamed Russia for a recent video that made the rounds online that showed fabricated incidents of voter fraud in Arizona, including changing the voter rolls to favor Vice President Kamala Harris. Fontes told reporters Tuesday that the video — which U.S. cyber and intelligence authorities linked to “Russian influence actors” — was “BS.” “It’s been widely thrown under the bus as a fake on the internet,” Fontes said. “It's just another one of those attempts, I think, that we have from foreign actors to try and influence our elections and make people lose faith in the work that we do." So what’s the response in Washington? A top cybersecurity agency says it's on top of things and expecting more. “We know our foreign adversaries view the window of time of both election day and the days immediately following as an opportunity to sow further division and undermine American confidence in our democratic institutions,” CAIT CONLEY, senior advisor to the director at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told reporters on Tuesday. “We are prepared to see these efforts continue.” Conley said that CISA as of Tuesday morning was tracking a few disruptions at the local level involving extreme weather or “other temporary infrastructure disruptions,” but stressed that “these are largely expected, routine, and planned for events.” When asked about the bomb threats in Georgia, Conley said CISA was in touch with the FBI on the matter, adding that election officials had trained for situations like this. The FBI said in a statement Tuesday that the agency “is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains,” but that “none of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far.” The statement did not make clear which other states were targeted. These comments followed a joint statement put out Monday night by CISA, the FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence warning that Russia is “the most active threat” to U.S. elections, and that Russian actors are particularly focused on releasing “manufactured” content trying to sway U.S. voters. This included posting and amplifying fake articles and videos to “undermine the legitimacy of the election.” Over on Capitol Hill, Lawmakers are keeping a close eye on foreign election meddling surging, particularly if the results are temporarily too close to call. In a statement, Rep. JIM HIMES (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said “it is critical that we remain vigilant against foreign actors who intend to undermine our democratic process, both today and in the days to follow.” He added: “If the election proves close, these actors may well see an opportunity to manufacture and amplify false allegations of fraud.”
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Muti-Domain, Layered Defense From Surface to Space.
Lockheed Martin is delivering multi-domain, layered defense from surface to space so the U.S. and allies can stay ahead of accelerating threats. Our proven, integrated air and missile defense systems connect 360-degree sensors, command and control networks, interceptors, and directed energy systems to defend with speed and precision when seconds count. Learn more. | | | | | | GALLANT GETS THE BOOT: Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU fired his defense minister, and coalition rival, YOAV GALLANT, Netanyahu’s office announced today. It’s the latest showing of the tensions within the Israeli government. Gallant, who has long had an icy relationship with the prime minister, was previously fired by Netanyahu, but Netanyahu reversed course following public outcry. But the decision to can Gallant, who had been critical of Netanyahu’s vision of the war, comes days before an anticipated Iranian response to Israel’s Oct. 25 strikes and as Israel continues military operations in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. Gallant has also forged a close relationship with Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN, and the two have spoken four times over the past two weeks alone as the IDF crafted its response to Iran’s Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel. KEEP CALM, CARRY ON: As voting continues, U.S. allies are doing what they can to voice confidence that Washington’s global alliance structure will survive no matter who wins. German Foreign Minister ANNALENA BAERBOCK returned from Kyiv today, where she discussed the threat North Korean troops pose to Ukraine with her counterparts and assured the Ukrainian government of continued support. India and Australia, for their part, are also voicing confidence that the Quad alliance will survive regardless of the outcome of the election. Australian Foreign Minister PENNY WONG told reporters in Canberra she had met Trump’s former Secretary of State MIKE POMPEO, ahead of the election and had "a very good discussion.” Next to Wong was Indian Foreign Minister SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR , who argued the Quad was revived under Trump and that ties between Delhi and Washington will continue to thrive past November. "When we look at the American election, we are very confident that whatever the verdict, our relationship with the United States will only grow," he said. ADVERSARIES LOOM: U.S. adversaries, meanwhile, are definitely doing what they can to sow chaos and distrust. Beyond Russia’s meddling in today’s elections process, North Korea launched a barrage of missiles into the sea this morning, in a clear showing of force against Washington on the eve of the election. North Korean and Ukrainian troops also clashed for the first time today on the battlefield, according to Ukraine’s defense minister. Iran is emphasizing that it will imminently strike Israel in response to Israel’s Oct. 25 attacks against key military installations. And China? Chinese leader XI JINPING welcomed Indonesia’s new President PRABOWO SUBIANTO for his first foreign visit since assuming power. Jakarta, a long-time ally of the U.S. and a beneficiary of U.S. weapons sales, has lingering disputes with China over islands and maritime claims, but Indonesians have been upset about U.S. support for Israel amid the war in the Gaza Strip. By all measures, Beijing looks poised to capitalize on it. IT’S ELECTION DAY: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily! This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at rgramer@politico.com and ebazail@politico.com, and follow Robbie and Eric on X @RobbieGramer and @ebazaileimil. While you’re at it, follow the rest of POLITICO’s global security team: @dave_brown24, @HeidiVogt, @RosiePerper, @nahaltoosi, @PhelimKine, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @reporterjoe, @JackDetsch, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130 and @JGedeon1.
| | | |   | | | | | DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON ON HIGH ALERT: All around Washington are signs of authorities preparing for possible election violence. Eight-foot-high black metal fences have been installed around the U.S. Naval Observatory, Harris’ official residence, and the White House. Stores and restaurants in downtown Washington have boarded up their windows and police are installing additional fencing around the U.S. Capitol. All of the preparations add to a palpable sense of unease around the city following 2017 inauguration clashes between protesters and police and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. This time around, however, the Washington, D.C. government is working to reassure the city that it’s ready for anything. Washington Police Chief PAMELA A. SMITH told reporters that the police force is prepared to handle “many different scenarios” and is deploying additional police, police helicopters and drones to monitor areas near the White House and downtown. And as our own PAUL McLEARY reports, 24 states have told the DC National Guard that they’re standing by to help with inauguration security.
| | HERSCHEL WALKER RETURNS? Here at NatSec Daily, we thought we had heard the last of former NFL running back and Georgia Senate candidate HERSCHEL WALKER after he lost to Sen. RAPHAEL WARNOCK (D-Ga.) in 2022. But it looks like we should add the werewolf-loving Georgia Republican to the list of potential Trump appointees at the Pentagon. Per The Hill’s ELLEN MITCHELL , Walker made a surprise appearance at a rally in Macon last night and introduced the GOP nominee. Trump then proceeded to say in his remarks that he would “build a missile defense shield all made in the USA,” and “put Herschel Walker in charge of that little sucker.” Walker has no military experience or government background, though he served as co-chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition from 2019 to 2020. But Walker has been loyal to the former president and surged to the Republican nomination in Georgia’s marquee Senate race in 2022 with his endorsement. He lost to Warnock after facing a flurry of scandals over alleged infidelity and false claims about previously working as an FBI agent and graduating from the University of Georgia.
| | THE HOUSE AND SENATE RACES WE’RE WATCHING: It’s not just the presidential race that could have direct impacts on national security — we’re watching a few House and Senate races that could not only determine control of the chamber, but also the direction of certain key policy areas. Two staunch congressional allies of the Armenian diaspora lobby, Reps. MIKE LAWLER (R-N.Y.) and TOM KEAN (R-N.J.), are facing tough reelection battles in constituencies both parties see as integral to gaining, or keeping, control of the House. Lawler and Kean have both backed tougher U.S. action against Azerbaijan in the wake of Baku’s recent provocations against Armenia, including last year’s invasion of the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Meanwhile, our friends at Morning Defense ran through (for Pros!) the litany of House and Senate races that could affect defense and military policy. Among the House members they highlight are Reps. PAT RYAN (D-N.Y.), MARCY KAPTUR (D-Ohio), KEN CALVERT (R-Calif.), DON BACON (R-Neb.) and JEN KIGGANS (R-Va.). They also note Sens. JACKY ROSEN (D-Nev.) and JON TESTER (D-Mont.)’s tight reelection battles and House Armed Services Committee members Reps. RUBEN GALLEGO (D-Ariz.) and ELISSA SLOTKIN (D-Mich.)’s efforts to get elected to the Senate.
| | RUSSIA’S OTHER (ALLEGED) ELECTION INTERFERENCE: Russia is missing no opportunity to stir the pot in another high-profile election. As Reuters reports, Kremlin spokesperson DMITRY PESKOV called the Moldovan elections “neither democratic nor fair” and questioned Moldovan President MAIA SANDU’s legitimacy. "As for Ms. Sandu — you know that she is not, in our understanding, the president of her country — because in the country itself, the majority of the population did not vote for her, and we are talking about a very, very divided society,” he said. “These contradictions will certainly continue." (An official count shows Sandu won 55.35% of the vote over her pro-Russian opponent). Washington, though, is cheering Sandu’s victory. Last night, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair BEN CARDIN (D-Md.), Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN and President JOE BIDEN all put out statements hailing Sandu’s win in the face of alleged Russian interference in the weeks ahead of the vote.
| | — BOB JOACHIM is now senior director for U.S. government partnerships at Zscaler. He most recently worked for the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee. — RAMSEY SMITH is now senior adviser to the under secretary for arms control and international security at the Department of State. He most recently was special assistant to the assistant secretary of space acquisition and integration at the Department of the Air Force. — KATE HUNTER, a former aide to Sen. TIM SCOTT, is now Indo-Pacific Command's chief of Senate affairs.
| | THE VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS: It’s never not revealing what our colleagues from around the world are saying about our elections. Here’s a round-up of U.S. election reporting from leading papers around the world. Dawn (Pakistan): What impact could US elections have on Pakistan’s economy? El País (Spain): The world braces for close US election with far-reaching consequences La Nación (Argentina): Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off in the most hostile and transcendental U.S. presidential election by GUILLERMO IDIART Le Monde (France): 2024 US election: A crash test for American democracy by GILLES PARIS Kyiv Independent (Ukraine): Harris or Trump — Ukraine braces for best, worst-case scenarios as US elects new president by OWEN RACER, LILIANE BIVINGS, OLEG SUKHOV and FRANCIS FARRELL Haaretz (Israel): Trump and Harris in last-ditch effort to win over Jewish and Arab voters South China Morning Post (Hong Kong): US presidential election goes down to the wire after tumultuous campaign season by KHUSHBOO RAZDAN,CYRIL IP and VANESSA CAI Times of India (India): Count me in, count me out: US elections on knife's edge on day of polling by CHIDANAND RAJGHATTA
| | | | — Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, 1:30 p.m.: Discussion on the Space Force's "journey of its stand-up, its make-up, and a look to its future” with Lt. Gen. DOUGLAS SCHIESS, commander of the U.S. Space Forces and combined joint force space component commander at the U.S. Space Command — Wilson Center Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies, 3:30 p.m.: The Meskhetian/Ahiska Turks and other unrecognized minorities in Russia's war Thanks to our editor, Rosie Perper, whose efforts to interfere in our elections always fail. Thanks to our producer, Gregory Svirnovskiy, who thwarts Rosie’s election meddling attempts.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: The Best Defense Has Layers.
Lockheed Martin Integrated Air and Missile Defense: The best defense has layers. Our systems provide multi-tier defenses that work in concert to defeat incoming threats. Learn more. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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