The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has halted all election security efforts and is conducting a comprehensive review of its activities over the past eight years aimed at assisting state and local officials. This move comes in direct response to pressure from political figures, particularly associated with President Donald Trump’s administration, regarding unfounded claims of election fraud and allegations of online censorship.
In an internal memo, CISA’s acting director, Bridget Bean, communicated the order to review every aspect of the agency’s election security work. She declared that all election security activities would be paused until the review concludes, which is slated for March 6. The review will cover every related position, service, and product CISA has provided since the federal designation of election systems as critical infrastructure in 2017.
Additionally, CISA is discontinuing funding to the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing & Analysis Center, a key organization that has facilitated collaboration within the elections community. Employees involved in election security have been placed on administrative leave, highlighting ongoing tension within the agency over its mission and direction.
The impetus for this review appears to align with Trump’s recent executive orders aimed at reining in federal censorship. Despite CISA’s assertion that it did not engage in censorship, the backlash from conservatives following the 2020 election spurred criticism of the agency, leading to calls for changes that would dismantle its role in safeguarding election processes against misinformation.
Since its inception in 2017, CISA has been a crucial resource for election officials striving to bolster security against cyber threats and physical risks associated with voting. Its guidance has become increasingly vital as election professionals face financial hurdles and growing scrutiny that often culminates in harassment and threats.
The bipartisan support that CISA once enjoyed, particularly among state election officials, began to fade after the 2020 election amidst rising criticism from conservative leaders. Claims of CISA’s role as a facilitator of federal surveillance and censorship operations were echoed in rhetoric that aligned with Trump’s narrative of election integrity challenges.
As CISA embarks on this internal evaluation, the results are expected to determine how the agency may conduct future election security activities, re-establish its core mission focus, and respond to political pressures. The unfolding developments reflect broader implications for the agency’s role in preserving electoral integrity within a politically charged environment.
For more information on election security challenges and CISA’s initiatives, visit CISA and DHS.
