SAINT PAUL — The following statement made by Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is in response to President Trump's comments regarding U.S. election security following the Helsinki Summit between the President and Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation:
“The President made us less safe today by publicly doubting Russia's attempted interference in U.S. elections while standing next to the alleged mastermind of that interference. We know that Russia attempted to attack our election system across the United States in 2016, including unsuccessfully here in Minnesota,” said Secretary Simon. “Just two days ago, I met with the most senior leaders of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who told me that the ongoing threat is real, and that ‘election security is national security.’ Working with DHS and the intelligence community, my office continues to harden our cyber defenses in advance of Minnesota’s 2018 elections. Make no mistake: until the leadership of our state and country – regardless of party affiliation – acknowledge the irrefutable fact that Russia is engaged in ongoing efforts to undermine our democracy, we are wasting time and attention on a debate over 'alternative facts,' instead of defending our democracy from those who wish to harm us. Minnesotans should know that my office will continue to defend our best-in-the-nation elections systems from all attacks.”