The Russian operatives charged with meddling in the 2016 presidential election weren’t trying to boost only President Donald Trump’s chances, according to USA Today.
An indictment stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election meddling details that operations were intended to attack all candidates — except Trump, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), and Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
According to the indictment, the Russians “engaged in operations primarily intended to communicate derogatory information about Hillary Clinton, to denigrate other candidates such as Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, and to support Bernie Sanders and then-candidate Donald Trump.”
The operatives also purchased online ads in support of Stein's campaign shortly before Election Day.
The indictment made clear that the results of the election were not impacted by the Russians’ activities.
However, Sanders tweeted Friday that Mueller's investigation must continue in order to protect the 2018 election.
“It has been clear to everyone (except Donald Trump) that Russia was deeply involved in the 2016 election and intends to be involved in 2018. It is the American people who should be deciding the future of our country, not Mr. Putin and the Russian oligarchs,” Sanders wrote.
“It is absolutely imperative that the Mueller investigation be allowed to go forward without obstruction from the Trump administration or Congress,” he continued.
Clinton has not publicly addressed the revelations about her campaign being target by Russian media attacks, but her campaign manager addressed the situation on Twitter.
