PRO-KREMLIN TWITTER TROLLS TAKE AIM AT ROBERT MUELLER

[JonLP24]

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AUTHOR: ISSIE LAPOWSKYISSIE LAPOWSKY
SECURITY
01.05.1805:19 PM
PRO-KREMLIN TWITTER TROLLS TAKE AIM AT ROBERT MUELLER


Robert Mueller, former director of the FBI and special counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice, is seen as he leaves the U.S. Capitol Building.ZACH GIBSON/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
THE DENSE NETWORK of pro-Kremlin Twitter accounts tracked by the group Alliance for Securing Democracy has spent the last year spreading chaos and discord about topics as diverse as NFL players refusing to stand during the national anthem and Al Franken's alleged sexual misconduct. It was only a matter of time, then, before the troll army set its sights on special counsel Robert Mueller.

On the website Hamilton68, the Alliance tracks some 600 Twitter accounts it says are associated with a Russia-linked influence network. According to newly released figures, in the month of December, by far the most popular articles shared by the trolls aimed to undermine Mueller and the Department of Justice's investigation into Russian interference.

In fact, 16 percent of the articles shared by those accounts between December 9 and December 31 were related in some way to the so-called deep state, the bulk of which aimed to discredit Mueller. That's a lot of tweets, considering the site analyzes some 20,000 tweets a day. It's a volume of conversation that, in late November, was reserved for the right's favorite punching bag, Hillary Clinton. The Hamilton68 team keeps its list of suspected Kremlin trolls secret, but it consists of a balance between openly pro-Russia accounts, like Sputnik and RT, as well as bot accounts run by troll factories, and other accounts that consistently amplify pro-Russia themes.

Founded by former FBI agent Clint Watts and J.M. Berger, a researcher focused on extremist propaganda, Hamilton68 has been up and running since August. But December's onslaught represents the biggest uptick in attacks on Mueller yet. "I don't think we've ever seen as much concentrated activity on that topic," says Bret Schafer, a research analyst with the Alliance. "It's been trending steadily upwards since we started this."

https://www.wired.com/story/pro-russia-twitter-trolls-target-robert-mueller/

[BigmanPigman]

1. They have been for a long time...

they started even before he knew he would lead the investigation. Whoever is appointed if Mueller leaves will be a target and so on and so on. The complicit GOP reps who once supported the investigations in both chambers as well as the FBI investigation have all flipped in the past few months. Blackmail, $$$$, etc go a long way and the GOP are now going to OBSTRUCT all investigations (even their own). The Russians are doing what has worked and they have the support of the GOP 100% now. They will screw with the midterms and win again! Nothing and no one with any power is stopping them. Be prepared...it will get worse!

[Ilsa]

2. I'm glad Wired is carrying this story. nt