The Justice Department indicted an American commentator for Russian television on Thursday as part of a broader effort by the government to crack down on Russia’s attempts to influence American politics ahead of November’s presidential election.

Dimitri K. Simes, who was an adviser to Donald J. Trump’s first presidential campaign, and his wife, Anastasia Simes, were charged with violating economic sanctions against Russia for their work for Channel One, a state-owned television network.

The indictments come as the United States has been cracking down on Russian efforts to spread content from Russian broadcasters among American audiences, often by disguising its origins. Mr. Simes, who owns a home with his wife in Virginia but currently lives in Russia, has hosted a political talk show since 2022 on the network four nights a week on the network and another on Sundays.

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  • Deceptichum@quokk.au
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    2 months ago

    They’ve had hard evidence in the past. And everyone knows they’re doing it regardless.

    Likewise this guy was publicly doing this shit on national Russian TV, anyone who had wanted to look into Russian propaganda in America would have easily been able to find this guy. They didn’t need the recent evidence for this.