President Trump signed an executive order last week promising to punish anyone attempting to meddle in U.S. elections, including with "measures that could be capable of devastating an interfering country's economy," according to an administration description. For a presidency marked by an inconsistent stance on Russia, it was yet another shift in tone. That inconsistency explains why this warning shot against Russia and other foreign adversaries, while welcome, is insufficient. Congress also should act.
The order gives the president and his top lieutenants much discretion; it would be up to them whether to go beyond the bare minimum of the automatic sanctions. Deterrence is the best defense against future meddling. Eliminating all vulnerabilities in the nation's sprawling electoral infrastructure, which varies widely across 50 states and sub-state jurisdictions, is impossible. The most effective policy would involve a credible warning of massive retaliation. But credibility is in short supply for this administration, particularly after Trump's obsequious performance before Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.
There are two bipartisan Senate proposals that, if passed, would send a stronger message. The bills--one shepherded by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the other by Sens. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)--would insist on tougher automatic sanctions. Other ideas include requiring more reporting on big real estate transactions that might mask foreign money laundering and bolstering federal law enforcement's ability to crack down on bad cyber-actors. With less than two months before the November election, Congress should act immediately.
If Trump did not have a long history of playing down Russian election interference and sidling up to Putin, his new order might be enough to deter future attacks. But no one watching this administration, including foreign actors contemplating future operations, can be confident that Trump would respond with more than minor sanctions. Congress should step in to send a clear message to the world: Any nation seeking to interfere in U.S. elections will pay a price.
Editorial on 09/19/2018