Sharp Cuts to Election Security Threaten Midterm Integrity

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner has raised concerns over significant reductions in federal election security support ahead of the 2026 midterms. In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Warner criticized the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for slashing training, intelligence-sharing, and cybersecurity assistance provided to states. This decline, he warned, could leave elections more vulnerable to cyber threats and foreign interference.

The criticism stems from the Trump administration's handling of CISA, which has seen deep staffing cuts and reduced funding. State officials report that without federal support, they struggle to protect elections at the scale and speed required. Warner emphasized that states cannot independently obtain the level of intelligence and expertise needed, raising fears about preparedness for November’s threats. A DHS spokesperson defended CISA's work under Trump but criticized its focus under Biden, while Warner also sought details on a recent FBI raid involving election systems in Georgia.

Warner demanded explanations from DHS on how CISA is addressing malign influence campaigns and protecting election infrastructure. He also requested records of agency activities since January 2025 and asked about involvement in the Fulton County raid. With Republican lawmakers criticizing CISA’s role, particularly after it refuted Trump's 2020 claims, the agency’s future remains uncertain, further complicating efforts to secure the midterms.