Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recently addressed the Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the critical role it plays in safeguarding democratic processes and those who facilitate them.
Monaco began her remarks by highlighting the fundamental importance of voting rights, which she described as "the right that secures all our other rights." She commended the Task Force for its significant contributions in prosecuting cases that threatened these rights and democracy at large.
A disturbing trend noted by Monaco is the increasing use of new technologies by perpetrators to mask their identities and communicate threats. These include not only burner phones and social media but also onion routers, VoIP platforms, and overseas internet service providers. The scope of this issue extends beyond election workers to crimes involving intimidation and hoaxes such as swatting.
Monaco warned criminals who believe they can act with impunity due to these technologies, stating, "as criminal tools get more sophisticated, so do our investigations." She highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Department of Justice, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Postal Inspection Service in unmasking these criminals.
The Deputy Attorney General also drew attention to the increasing threats against democratic processes and public servants protecting them. These threats are amplified by advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), which provide new avenues for wrongdoers to hide their identities, misinform voters through deepfakes, and recruit radicalized individuals through incendiary social media content.
Despite these challenges posed by technology-driven crimes, Monaco affirmed that they remain punishable offenses. "Violent threats using AI are still violent threats," she stated. In cases where threat actors utilize advanced technology like AI to enhance their crimes' impact and danger level, she pledged that the Department of Justice would seek enhanced sentences.
Monaco reiterated her support for election workers who are on the front lines of this threat-accelerated landscape. She assured them that the Election Threats Task Force would continue its mission to hold accountable those who threaten these public servants, their families, and the functioning of our democratic process.
In closing, Monaco expressed her confidence in the Task Force's ability to adapt to these evolving threats and meet new challenges head-on. She thanked them for their work in protecting democracy and ensuring the safety of election workers.