In a surprising move, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has paused all election security work, sparking controversy and concern among state and local officials. This decision comes after internal memo leak obtained by WIRED revealed that CISA is undergoing a comprehensive review of its election security initiatives dating back to 2017.
CISA’s acting director, Bridget Bean, issued a memo to all employees instructing a thorough examination of every election security-related position, program, and activity within the agency. This abrupt halt in election security efforts is seen as a response to President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims of election fraud and online censorship.
The memo stated that all election security activities will remain on hold until the completion of the review, impacting critical services provided to state and local election officials. Additionally, funding for the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing & Analysis Center, a key resource for the elections community, has been cut off.
Bean emphasized the need to refocus CISA’s mission solely on cyber and physical security, citing Trump’s executive order on “ending federal censorship” as a driving force behind the agency’s internal review. This move has raised concerns about the future of election security support and resources provided by CISA to state and local governments.
The decision to halt election security efforts has sparked backlash from officials who have praised CISA’s nonpartisan assistance in securing voting infrastructure and combating disinformation. As the agency navigates this controversial shift, many are questioning the motivations behind the sudden pause and the implications it may have on future election security measures.