From Salon · Andy Mannix · · 2m
Trump appointees asked federal cybersecurity agency to secretly acquire a voting machine and hack it
Trump administration requested CISA to secretly hack voting machines, sparking fears of election interference.
In brief
Trump administration requested CISA to secretly hack voting machines, sparking fears of election interference. Trump appointees asked CISA to secretly acquire and hack voting machines, undermining election security. Originally reported by Salon.
Trump appointees requested CISA
Trump appointees asked federal cybersecurity agency to secretly acquire a voting machine and hack it.
CISA employees alarmed
CISA career staffers found the request shocking as it contradicted the agency’s mission to protect elections.
CISA staff refused request
CISA employees repeatedly told political appointees their request was impossible due to staff layoffs.
CISA staff cuts
Trump administration laid off over 1,000 CISA employees, shrinking the agency by one-third.
Budget cuts planned
Trump’s 2027 budget would reduce CISA funding by $700 million, risking 900 more layoffs.
State officials report no help
Several state election authorities said CISA provided no assistance during critical midterm planning.
CISA’s role in 2020 election
CISA vouched for 2020 election integrity, calling it the most secure in American history.
Trump fired CISA director
Trump fired CISA director Chris Krebs after he publicly rebutted election claims.
CISA staff cuts continued
Trump administration cut funding for election security technology, blinding federal government to breaches.
2026 midterms preparation
By July 2026, CISA had disappeared from election security planning for midterms.
Trump’s election speech
Trump made unsubstantiated claims about election security, mocking CISA’s 2020 defense.
State officials distrust CISA
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said he no longer trusts federal government to share election data.
CISA’s security plan
CISA published a 13-page security plan for 2026 midterms, but state officials called it too late.
CISA’s role in 2020 election
CISA vouched for 2020 election integrity, calling it the most secure in American history.
CISA’s security plan
CISA published a 13-page security plan for 2026 midterms, but state officials called it too late.
CISA’s security plan
CISA published a 13-page security plan for 2026 midterms, but state officials called it too late.
In short
Trump appointees asked CISA to secretly acquire and hack voting machines, undermining election security.
