The Trump administration has ordered a review of CISA’s election security programs, sparking outrage from media outlets defending the agency’s involvement in identifying and censoring so-called “disinformation” as detailed here. CISA, which was created to address cyber threats, has faced criticism for overstepping its mission and working with tech companies to suppress online discussions about election processes.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that CISA’s election-related functions are under scrutiny, with the administration assessing whether the agency should continue influencing online discussions. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has argued that CISA has “moved beyond its intended role” and needs reform.
Documents from congressional investigations have shown that CISA partnered with Stanford University and the State Department’s Global Engagement Center to flag and suppress content ahead of the 2020 election. The Election Integrity Partnership (EIP), which was formed at the request of CISA, flagged social media posts for removal — including content that was factually accurate but presented in a way the agency considered misleading.
The media has reacted with alarm. Politico referred to the review as “Trump’s federal purge,” while Wired accused the administration of pushing “false claims.” VoteBeat framed the review as a threat to election security, suggesting that officials are worried about losing federal oversight.
CISA’s previous leadership had made clear its interest in shaping online narratives, with former director Jen Easterly stating that the agency needed to protect Americans’ “cognitive infrastructure.” Under the Biden administration, CISA collaborated with state officials to monitor and flag election-related speech it viewed as a potential “threat.”
With Trump’s executive order banning federal censorship now in effect, the administration is expected to continue reducing CISA’s authority over election-related content. While the agency remains in place, its future role in election security appears increasingly uncertain.
