Thread by @jseldin

NEW: @POTUS #COVIDadviser @SWAtlasHoover apologizes for interview w/RT from the White House Saturday

Atlas: "I was unaware they are a registered foreign agent...I especially apologize to the national security community who is working hard to defend us"

https://twitter.com/SWAtlasHoover/status/1322962638012358657?s=20

.@SWAtlasHoover had earlier tweeted the link to the interview w/RT on #COVID19

The interview remains on RT's website...

VOA has reached out to the White House about the approval process for the interview

RT has been registered as a "foreign agent" under Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA)since November 2017
reuters.com/article/us-rus…

Numerous US intelligence and security officials, and lawmakers have warned about RT spreading #Russia|n #disinformation

This past September, @CISAKrebs warned Americans to "Question the intent" for any news coming from #RT #Sputnik #Ruptly

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1303335722850582528?s=20

This past June, officials and lawmakers told @VOANews that #Russia was using RT to drive divisions between police and protesters following the death of #GeorgeFloyd - with an eye to Tuesday's presidential election
voanews.com/usa/russian-in…

In response to the #Russia|n RT campaign using police, Senate Intelligence Committee Acting Chair @marcorubio told @VOANews, “It is critical that Americans remain wary of state-sponsored and state-directed media platforms such as RT and Sputnik"

Despite previous general, public warnings about RT, police officers interviewed by the #Russia-backed outlet told VOA they were unaware of the link

“If I had any idea whatsoever, I obviously never would have done it" one officer

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1273720288518307843?s=20

Experts have warned about the dangers of talking to RT

“When officials give comment to RT, it legitimizes it as a ‘serious’ news outlet,” @wiczipedia told VOA in June “This is absolutely part of RT's strategy, and why it rebranded from its original name of ‘Russia Today’”

US military officials -including @Southcom's commander- have also sounded the alarm about RT

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1237818442524364802?s=20

.@RepJoeWilson spoke in 2017 about how #Russia was using RT - though in the context of Russia's own citizens

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/872151200694771715?s=20

One of the 1st warnings about RT came in the Intelligence Community's January 2017 report on Russia|n meddling in #Election2016 saying RT "has actively collaborated with WikiLeaks"

voanews.com/usa/us-intelli…

The connection w/WikiLeaks is notable - in his 1st major public appearance as @CIA director, current @SecPompeo labeled WikiLeaks "a nonstate, hostile intelligence service often abetted by state actors like #Russia"
voanews.com/usa/new-cia-di…

In response to VOA queries about @SWAtlasHoover's interview, the White House pointed to his Twitter apology

No word/comment on the vetting process or about potential security concerns
h/y @pwidakuswara

Another warning on #Russia-backed media from @USALeaGabrielle w/the @StateDept's Global Engagement Center in March re #COVID:

"Russian state proxy websites, official state media as well as swarms of online false personas pushing out false narratives..."

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1235597121866346496?s=20

REACTION from @RepKinzinger To @POTUS #COVID adviser @SWAtlasHoover’s decision to talk to #Russia’s RT from the White House

https://twitter.com/RepKinzinger/status/1322980640103555073