NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, issued the following statement after a report detailed Russian intent to sow discord in U.S. elections:
“Nothing in these documents comes as a surprise. We have known for some time the disturbing level of tampering by Russian nationals in the 2016 presidential election. The Mueller report confirmed that Russia had interfered “in sweeping and systemic fashion.” It is clear that the Black community and our vote are targets of both domestic and international forces seeking to undermine our democracy.
“We have a president who is unwilling even to acknowledge this assault on our democracy, which is turning back the clock on political and social progress of the Black community. We must not allow our community to be treated as a political football or as a target for race-baiting and discord.
“It’s time for Congress to protect the security and integrity of our democracy. Through legislation and oversight, Congress must make election security a top priority. We cannot afford any more attacks on our democratic process. The NAACP remains strongly committed to challenging all attempts to diminish the political power of the African-American community, through domestic or foreign interference.”
