"US Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen speaks during press briefing on national security at the White House in Washington, DC, on August 2, 2018. - The US government on Thursday accused Russia of carrying out a ""pervasive"" campaign to influence public opinion and elections, in a public warning just months before crucial legislative elections. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP)        (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)"