Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein spoke with reporters just minutes after the special counsel’s office indicted 13 Russian agents of election meddling; telling the journalists “no Americans” knew of the foreign plot to sway American voters during the 2016 race for the White House.
“There is no allegation in this indictment that any American was a knowing participant in this illegal activity. There is no allegation in the indictment that the charge in conduct altered the outcome of the 2016 election,” said Rosenstein.
“This indictment is a reminder that people are not always who they appear to be on the internet. The indictment alleges that the Russian conspirators wanted to promote discord in the United States and undermine public confidence in democracy,” he added.
Rosenstein’s comments echo information contained in Mueller’s indictment, which claimed the Russian nationals concealed their identity when contacting “unwitting” members of the Trump campaign.
Watch the Deputy Attorney General’s comments above.