Shaheen Statement on Mueller Indictment of Russian Nationals and Entities for Meddling in 2016 Elections

(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement in response to news that Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicted thirteen Russian nationals and three entities for meddling in the 2016 US elections:

“Russia clearly interfered in our elections and this indictment paints a very disturbing picture as to some of the methods the Kremlin used,” said Shaheen. “This indictment further underscores the need to protect Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation from political interference from the White House and partisan members of Congress. This should not be a partisan issue. We have a duty to come together, both Republicans and Democrats, to support efforts to follow the facts and take aggressive action to defend our democracy.”

Senator Shaheen has led efforts in Congress to hold Russia accountable for its interference in the 2016 elections, and was the first legislator to call for hearings into their meddling. Shaheen was also the first official to sound the alarm on the dangers of Kaspersky Lab, a Kremlin-linked software company used by some federal agency computers and networks. Kaspersky was used by Russian hackers to infiltrate a National Security Agency (NSA) contractor’s computer in 2015. Because of her leadership on Russian sanctions legislation and her efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions, Shaheen was sanctioned by the Kremlin in December.