Robert Mueller’s special counsel investigation into Russia’s impact on the 2016 election entered a new phase Friday, as his team indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian organizations for their “conspiracy” to illegally influence the US presidential campaign.
It was an indictment unprecedented in American history—a direct and public charge that America’s main foreign adversary meddled extensively, expensively, and expansively in the core of the American democratic process, attempting to influence voters, spread disparaging information about the Democratic nominee, and “help” presidential candidate Donald Trump take office.
The new charges were simultaneously unveiled by Mueller and expanded upon in rare public remarks by deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who oversees Mueller’s investigation. It's the first time that Mueller, who previously charged or received guilty pleas from four Trump aides, has brought criminal charges that deal with the core of his mission, to investigate Russia’s influence in the most recent presidential campaign.
"The indictment alleges that the Russian conspirators want to promote discord in the United States and undermine public confidence in democracy," Rosenstein said in his prepared remarks. "We must not allow them to succeed."
Source : wired
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