Political appointees at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during President Donald Trump’s second term made an unusual request. They wanted the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to secretly acquire and hack a voting machine. This request shocked CISA staffers. CISA, responsible for protecting election systems from cyber threats, typically works to prevent hacking, not to engage in it.
The appointees asked CISA to examine the voting machine and report the findings to the White House. They were instructed not to inform the voting machine company of any flaws discovered, which deviated from CISA’s standard practice. CISA employees feared involvement in political interference. One former official speculated the plan was to invalidate election results the administration disliked.
CISA employees repeatedly told the political appointees that their request was unfeasible. Many CISA agents capable of such operations had been laid off under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative. Eventually, the appointees ceased their efforts.
The Trump administration’s interference attempts highlight its efforts to manipulate CISA while reducing the agency’s resources crucial for protecting voting systems. During Trump’s second term, over 1,000 CISA employees were laid off, shrinking the agency by about one-third. The administration’s 2027 budget proposal included a further $700 million funding cut, risking 900 additional layoffs.
Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation into CISA’s capacity to perform its duties, questioning the lack of federal support for election security despite congressional directives. CISA has a history of collaborating with state authorities and voting machine vendors, which it largely abandoned during Trump’s second term. State election officials reported the agency was absent during critical planning phases for upcoming midterms.
Election technology and cybersecurity expert Ryan Macias noted CISA’s complete absence during critical election preparations in 2025 and 2026. Trump’s administration’s undermining actions raised concerns about the federal government’s role in securing elections, despite Trump’s warnings about election vulnerabilities. Although CISA re-emerged with a last-minute security plan, state officials worry about the compromised integrity under Trump’s influence.
The Trump administration declassified records containing sensitive information state officials had shared with CISA, eroding trust. State authorities are now hesitant to share information with CISA due to past breaches of confidentiality. Former high-ranking federal cybersecurity officials advised states on national security matters, criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of election security.
While the White House spokesperson defended Trump’s election security efforts, state leaders have been resourceful in compensating for CISA’s absence. They have independently funded sensor technologies to monitor unusual activity in election networks. However, replicating services like intelligence on foreign threats remains challenging.
Election officials express frustration over Trump’s consistent rhetoric about election security threats, particularly regarding voting machines. Concerns over the federal government seizing voting machines have prompted contingency planning with machine vendors.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes emphasized practical actions over rhetoric, criticizing the administration for abandoning states and leaving them to manage election security independently. The Department of Homeland Security’s organizational history highlights its evolving cybersecurity role since the mid-1990s, including the creation of CISA in 2018.
While Trump initially helped create CISA, he downplayed Russian interference in the 2016 election, contrary to bipartisan reports and U.S. Senate findings. The strategic designation of election systems as critical infrastructure in 2017 aimed to protect against potential foreign adversaries. However, Trump’s administration’s disregard for CISA’s mandate undermined these efforts.
Despite these challenges, CISA had established trust with state election officials and vendors, facilitating a confidential exchange of sensitive information essential for election security. By conducting penetration testing and tabletop exercises, CISA identified vulnerabilities and shared federal intelligence with state secretaries.
The abrupt dismantling of CISA’s resources and competence by Trump’s administration disrupted previously effective coordination with state election authorities. As state election officials prepare for upcoming elections, there is limited time and capacity to address these challenges effectively. Securing the midterms proceeds without CISA’s support, causing continued concern over potential election integrity claims.