When a video surfaced online last October showing ballots being ripped up in Pennsylvania, social media exploded with speculation. However, federal agencies acted swiftly, labeling the footage as Russian disinformation. This rapid response underscored the importance of national security measures to safeguard elections, yet the future of these efforts remains uncertain.
On Election Day in November, bomb threats rattled polling places in several states, though the disruptions were minimal. These incidents were just a glimpse of the threats the nation’s cybersecurity agency had been preparing for in collaboration with state and local officials. But with recent policy shifts, the level of federal assistance in protecting elections is in jeopardy.
Federal Cuts and Their Impact on Election Security
The Trump administration’s decision to scale back federal agencies has significantly affected election security efforts. The downsizing has weakened programs aimed at preventing foreign interference, leaving gaps that adversaries could exploit in future elections.
Former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cyber chief Suzanne Spaulding voiced her concerns, saying, “Our adversaries are upping their game every day. I’m worried that we are, at the same time, tearing down our defenses.” This reduction in security measures comes at a time when the need for vigilance has never been greater.
The issue escalated last week when newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi disbanded an FBI task force dedicated to investigating foreign influence operations, including election meddling. Additionally, Bondi scaled back enforcement against individuals failing to disclose lobbying activities on behalf of foreign governments, stating that reallocating resources would help address “more pressing priorities” and prevent misuse of prosecutorial discretion.
A Blow to Cybersecurity Efforts
Further compounding concerns, the Trump administration implemented sweeping personnel cuts at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the agency responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure, including election systems. A senior DHS official reported that over 130 employees were let go, with some of those cuts directly affecting election security personnel.
Adding to the uncertainty, CISA announced it was pausing all election security initiatives pending a comprehensive review of its funding and operations. This also included halting its voluntary program that facilitated cyber defense collaboration between federal, state, and local election officials. These developments send a clear message: securing U.S. elections against foreign threats—whether from Russia, China, or Iran—is no longer a federal priority. Larry Norden, an election security expert at the Brennan Center for Justice, warned, “I think we would be naive to think that the bad guys don’t get that message, too.”
The Role of Federal Support in Election Security
While elections in the U.S. are run by state and local governments, federal support has played a crucial role in defending against cyber threats and foreign influence. The loss of these resources creates a significant vulnerability.
Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan shared how, in both 2023 and 2024, federal authorities alerted his office to security threats. In one case, officials intercepted a suspicious envelope before it reached an election facility. In another, the government warned him of an emailed bomb threat before he even knew about it. “We can’t be the eyes and ears to see everything,” Logan noted. “We’re focused on administering the election.” Without federal coordination, states may struggle to identify and respond to threats in real time.
FBI's Role in Combatting Foreign Influence
The FBI has long played a pivotal role in tracking and mitigating foreign influence campaigns. Darren Linvill, co-director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University, highlighted the impact of disbanding the FBI’s task force, emphasizing that its absence will be felt in future elections. “The FBI’s election security task force will be missed in 2026 and beyond,” he warned.
Despite these concerns, some Republicans have welcomed the task force’s elimination. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, labeled the unit as “highly politicized” and praised its shutdown, calling it “the right move.” Meanwhile, the FBI has confirmed the disbandment but declined to comment on personnel decisions.
Political Shifts and Their Consequences
Former President Donald Trump has long criticized the government’s monitoring of online misinformation, equating it to censorship. Though he originally signed the bill creating CISA in 2018, he later dismissed its director, Christopher Krebs, after Krebs assured the public that the 2020 election was secure despite Trump’s claims of fraud.
In contrast, the Biden administration took a proactive approach to counter foreign influence, frequently issuing public warnings about disinformation campaigns throughout 2024. This effort led to the indictment of three Iranian operatives for hacking into Trump’s campaign. Biden’s team also worked closely with the FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to coordinate intelligence on foreign interference.
However, with Trump’s return to power, the future of these initiatives remains uncertain. His newly appointed Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has yet to outline her plans for ODNI’s Foreign Malign Influence Center, an entity authorized by Congress but set to expire at the agency’s discretion in 2028. In a statement, Gabbard emphasized her commitment to “end the weaponization and politicization” of intelligence agencies.
What Lies Ahead for Election Security?
Despite these shake-ups, the Justice Department has not indicated plans to abandon investigations into espionage-related election interference. However, scaling back dedicated resources may hinder efforts to hold bad actors accountable. David Salvo, managing director of the German Marshall Fund’s Alliance for Securing Democracy, noted, “I’m sure there are still officers at the FBI who are watching this activity, but I’m not convinced that the political masters care all that much.”
As federal election security initiatives face an uncertain future, some states are stepping up. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is urging lawmakers to fund state-led election security programs. Similarly, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes stressed the importance of continued federal assistance, regardless of political shifts. “I’m not too concerned with which agency’s providing them, but we need to have them,” he stated.
The Bottom Line
Election security is not just a partisan issue—it’s a matter of national security. As threats from foreign adversaries grow more sophisticated, the U.S. must decide whether it will maintain robust defenses or leave elections vulnerable to interference. Whether through federal agencies or state-led initiatives, the nation must prioritize securing the democratic process before the next major election cycle.
The question remains: Will the U.S. rise to the challenge, or will political shifts create opportunities for adversaries to exploit? Only time will tell.
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