Tara Reade, the former Senate staffer who made sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden during his 2020 presidential campaign, has recently fled the United States and sought refuge in Russia, raising serious concerns about her connections to the Kremlin.
Tara Reade Defects to Russia
Reade's announcement came in an interview with the pro-Russian media outlet Sputnik, where she sat alongside Maria Butina, a convicted Russian agent.
Reade expressed her gratitude and a sense of security in Russia during the interview, stating, "I feel very surrounded by protection and safety."
“And I just really so appreciate Maria [Butina] and everyone who’s been giving me that at a time when it’s been very difficult to know if I’m safe or not,” she added. However, Reade provided little information about the specific threats she claims to have faced in the United States that led to her decision to seek refuge in Russia.
Reade’s Connection to Convicted Russian Agent Maria Butina
The involvement of Maria Butina, a convicted Russian agent who currently serves as a member of the Russian legislature, further complicates this situation. Butina was convicted in 2018 on charges related to acting as an agent of the Russian Federation in the United States. After serving 15 months in American prisons, she returned to Russia.
Butina previously gained notoriety for her romantic connections to Patrick Byrne, the former CEO of Overstock.com who was investigated for advising former President Trump on overturning the 2020 election. Butina has also been connected to other top Trump allies and figures in Moscow.
For numerous years, Butina worked at the direction of the Russian government to infiltrate American organizations such as the NRA and the Republican party.
Is Reade Part of a Russian Information Operation?
Former U.S. intelligence officials have raised suspicions about Reade's actions and associations, suggesting the possibility of her involvement in a Russian information operation. Gail Helt, a former CIA analyst, commented on the Sputnik broadcast, questioning the timing of Reade's friendship with Butina and its potential influence on her accusation against Joe Biden. The concerns raised indicate a possible Russian information operation, leaving some intelligence experts deeply troubled by the situation.
While the White House has refrained from speculating on Reade's motivations, it acknowledges Russia's history of interfering in U.S. elections and advises caution in interpreting her actions.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby dismissed allegations that Reade's life was at risk due to the U.S. government, calling them "absolutely false" and baseless. Kirby emphasized that it is no surprise that Russian President Vladimir Putin would attempt to make it challenging for President Biden to govern effectively and interfere in U.S. affairs.
Reade's pro-Russia stance, as expressed in her interview, only adds to the concerns surrounding her actions and associations. While the motivations behind her decision to seek refuge in Russia remain unclear, it is evident that her statements align with a narrative in line with Russian interests. As the situation unfolds, many question the true nature of Reade's actions and the influences at play behind her connections to anti-American agents.
