Local election officials across the U.S. are increasingly avoiding cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) due to fears that the agency, led by election denier Markwayne Mullin, may misuse voter data and undermine election integrity.
- DHS Secretary Mullin has a history of promoting debunked election fraud theories and voted against certifying the 2020 election. - The Trump administration has cut funding for the EI-ISAC cybersecurity partnership, reducing membership to less than 20%.
- Officials cite concerns over potential deployment of immigration enforcement at polling places and lack of communication from CISA. - The EI-ISAC plans to set up a virtual situation room for the midterms without DHS involvement, signaling fractured trust.
The relationship between local election officials and the federal government has been severely damaged, with many questioning whether DHS can be a reliable partner in securing elections.