Election Security in the Spotlight: Changes Under Trump’s Second Term

Since returning to the White House, President Trump has overseen notable changes in federal support for state election security. A prime example is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This agency, known for its role in election security, has seen significant workforce reductions and shifts in focus.

During his first term, President Trump instructed scrutiny over key cybersecurity officials. Christopher Krebs, the former director, was dismissed after confirming the integrity of the 2020 election. This dismissal marked a downturn in the agency’s influence and operation.

Despite President Trump’s stated commitment to election security, he has made substantial cuts to CISA’s budget and workforce. From an initial staff of 3,400 in January 2025, the agency lost about a third of its employees. This reduction impacts their ability to share cybersecurity practices and intelligence with states.

In early 2025, the administration placed over a dozen CISA election security workers on leave. This investigation created a tense environment, particularly affecting the division of roughly 100 workers focused on elections. The absence of a Senate-confirmed leader has further hampered their operations.

Other federal agencies, such as the F.B.I. and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, have also reduced their election security initiatives. Under Tulsi Gabbard, the latter agency significantly downsized the Foreign Malign Influence Center, which was responsible for spotting foreign election threats.

Moreover, President Trump recently dismissed the last three members of the Election Assistance Commission. This independent bipartisan body had been aiding states with election administration, with a focus on cybersecurity. The removal of its commissioners has caused further instability in federal election security efforts.

Dustin Volz, a cybersecurity and intelligence reporter for The Times, is based in Washington and continues to cover the developments regarding these federal and state security interactions.