The Justice Department has alleged that a Tennessee-based company, identified as Tenet Media, was funded by Russian operatives as part of a Kremlin-backed influence campaign targeting the 2024 U.S. election. According to a U.S. official familiar with the case, Tenet Media is connected to right-wing commentators with substantial followings on YouTube and other social media platforms.

An indictment unsealed in New York’s Southern District accuses two RT employees—part of the Kremlin’s media apparatus—of directing nearly $10 million to an unnamed company, referred to as “Company 1” in court documents. CNN has independently verified that “Company 1” is Tenet Media, which is described on its website as a “network of heterodox commentators focusing on Western political and cultural issues.” This description aligns with the language used in the indictment.

Prosecutors claim the operation aimed to advance pro-Russian narratives by promoting content and news articles that supported Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and other figures favorable to Kremlin interests. The indictment also notes that Company 1’s website lists six commentators.

Among the commentators associated with Tenet Media are right-wing figures Benny Johnson and Tim Pool, both of whom have millions of subscribers on YouTube and other platforms. Pool interviewed Trump on his podcast in May.

In statements released Wednesday, both Johnson and Pool claimed they were unaware of any wrongdoing and insisted they retained editorial control over their content. Johnson expressed concern about the allegations, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “We are disturbed by the allegations in today’s indictment, which make clear that myself and other influencers were victims in this alleged scheme.” Pool similarly asserted, “Should these allegations prove true, I as well as the other personalities and commentators were deceived and are victims,” adding that their content is produced independently.

The Biden administration’s announcement on Wednesday included a broad set of measures against Russian government-backed efforts to influence the 2024 election. These measures encompass sanctions against 10 individuals and entities and the seizure of 32 internet domains. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco stated that, under Russian President Vladimir Putin’s direction, three Russian companies used fake profiles to disseminate false narratives on social media. An FBI affidavit reveals that internal documents from one of these companies aimed to bolster Trump’s candidacy or that of the Republican nominee.

These actions, alongside the indictment of the RT employees, mark the Biden administration’s most significant public response to Russian influence operations targeting American voters. The measures come in the wake of recent U.S. accusations that Iran attempted to hack both the Trump and Biden-Harris campaigns. They underscore the ongoing concern among U.S. officials about Russia’s role as a major foreign influence threat to the upcoming election.