FILE PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden talks about his plans to tackle climate change during a campaign event in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, July 14, 2020. REUTERS / Leah Millis
DETROIT (Reuters) – Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Friday that he is now receiving intelligence reports, and was told that Russia is still trying to interfere in the US election in November.
China was also carrying out activities “designed to make us lose confidence in the outcome” of the 2020 elections, Biden told supporters during an online fundraiser for his campaign.
“We have known this before, and I guarantee that I know it now, because now I receive reports again. The Russians are still engaged in trying to delegitimize our electoral process. Done, ”said Biden.
He warned that if Russia continued to interfere, there would be “a real price to pay” if it wins the November election against Republican President Donald Trump.
It is unclear when Biden started receiving intelligence reports, which are normal for presidential nominees from major parties. His campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Biden said at a press conference on June 30 that he had not been offered a classified briefing and that he “could well” request one after the reports that Trump failed to act on intelligence reports that Russia had awarded rewards to American troops in Afghanistan.
Former Vice President of President Barack Obama criticized Trump over reports that he does not read his intelligence reports.
Multiple US intelligence agencies found that Russia acted to aid Trump in the 2016 election, a charge that Russia denies and that Trump has repeatedly branded as a “hoax.”
Report by Michael Martina; Edition by Lincoln Feast.
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