Warner, Himes say intelligence report shows Russia targeting Democrats and Ukraine supporters ahead of midterms

As of 10:40 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026

Russia is targeting Democratic candidates and supporters of Ukraine from both parties with disinformation ahead of the midterm elections, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., said Wednesday, citing a classified intelligence report, Nextgov/FCW reported.

Warner and Himes, the top Democrats on the Senate and House intelligence committees, spoke at a roundtable with reporters. They said there have been no indications of a foreign operation to manipulate voting machinery or alter ballots, according to Nextgov/FCW.

"Do we expect disinformation? Yes. Do we expect specific election interference with the machinery of our electoral system? We've not seen that," Warner said, Nextgov/FCW reported.

What the lawmakers said about the report

The lawmakers said they received the report on Tuesday from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, NPR reported. Himes described the classified report as a "grab bag" of activity by foreign powers, and said much of what he has reviewed resembles familiar patterns from previous elections, according to Nextgov/FCW. Warner warned that AI tools can make those operations more powerful, Nextgov/FCW reported.

Himes said Russia's efforts include messages intended to cast doubt on institutions and voting systems. "They're throwing everything out there to generate a sense of chaos and anarchy," he said, according to Nextgov/FCW. Himes said the intelligence he reviewed also indicated a Russian focus on people from either party who have taken strong positions in support of Ukraine, Nextgov/FCW reported.

Warner and Himes told reporters they were limited in what they could reveal because the briefing was classified, Reuters reported. Himes said the pair could not provide details of the misinformation spread by Russia, but said Moscow's conduct has been "the same old, same old," according to Reuters.

"Nothing out there suggests that there is even the capability or the intent to do interference, whereas there is a pretty robust influence environment," Himes said, Reuters reported.

China, Iran and North Korea

The lawmakers said China's efforts remain more targeted, with Warner noting its history of focusing on local or smaller races, Nextgov/FCW reported. They did not identify specific Chinese operations or targets from the classified findings, according to Nextgov/FCW.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington described Himes' comment as "a false allegation and serious smear that has long been proved to be unfounded," Reuters reported. Moscow has denied meddling in U.S. elections in the past, according to Reuters.

Nextgov/FCW reported that the lawmakers' discussion of Iran and North Korea was less definitive, and that Himes said reporting on those countries often concerns what they are considering doing.

Outstanding assessments

Himes said intelligence sharing has improved since Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton took over, describing it as "a little bit of a sea change," Nextgov/FCW reported. But intelligence findings due 120, 60 and 30 days before the election remain outstanding, according to Nextgov/FCW.

"We have not received a bunch of things that we have asked for," Himes said, NPR reported.

A bipartisan classified election briefing for House Intelligence Committee members is planned for next week, Himes said, according to Nextgov/FCW.

Preparing for claims of foreign interference

Himes said they have considered scenarios in which President Donald Trump cites intelligence to justify seizing ballot boxes or questioning the validity of the results, Nextgov/FCW reported. The lawmakers said they have told Clayton, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and career intelligence personnel that they must be reachable if the president makes such a claim, according to Nextgov/FCW.

If the president claimed foreign interference without briefing congressional intelligence leaders, Himes said he would publicly explain that he had received no information supporting the allegation. "Now, does that end the crisis? No, but that's the first step," he said, Nextgov/FCW reported.

White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said in a statement to NPR that "President Trump has done more than any other President to ensure we have free and fair elections."

The White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment, and the Russian Embassy did not immediately respond either, Reuters reported.

What is not known

The classified report has not been released, and its contents have not been independently verified. The account of what it says comes from Warner and Himes. The lawmakers did not provide details of the Russian misinformation they described, Reuters reported, and did not identify specific Chinese operations or targets, according to Nextgov/FCW. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately reply to requests for comment from Reuters and NPR.