Trump's Team Works to Restore Election Security Ahead of Midterms

WHO:

Alternet - President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Geoff Hale (former election security official for CISA), Sarah Copeland Hanzas (Vermont Secretary of State), Francisco Aguilar (Nevada Secretary of State), Adrian Fontes (Arizona Secretary of State), Paul Pate (Iowa Secretary of State), Kris Warner (West Virginia Secretary of State), Nick Andersen (CISA acting Director).

WHAT:

Alternet - Trump’s administration scrapped the federal system that protects U.S. elections.

CNN - Trump’s administration is attempting to rebuild the election security infrastructure it previously dismantled.

CNN - CISA plans to use a security mechanism employed during the World Cup to protect the midterm elections.

CNN - CISA will provide a public plan in 30 days detailing cyber and physical security resources for states.

CNN - CISA has reassigned remaining staff into new roles to build trusted relationships with state and local officials.

CNN - Election officials have had to contract with private cybersecurity vendors or hire additional IT staff due to the lack of federal support.

CNN - The Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center is now operating under a paid subscription model.

WHERE:

CNN - The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) operates at the federal level in the U.S.

CNN - Election officials across 44 states are affected by the changes in federal support.

WHEN:

Alternet - Less than 100 days before the midterm elections.

CNN - A public plan from CISA is expected in 30 days.

CNN - In February 2025, Trump fired the director of CISA.

CNN - In October 2025, 176 DHS employees were let go, many from CISA.

WHY:

Alternet - Trump aims to rebuild trust with election officials that has been damaged by previous actions.

CNN - Election officials and experts warn it is too late in the election cycle for major changes to security protocols.

HOW:

Alternet - Trump intends to rebuild the cyber agency "starting from scratch."

CNN - States have adapted by creating new security measures and retooling information-sharing processes among themselves.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 14:46 UTC)

President Trump’s administration has scrapped the federal system designed to protect U.S. elections and is now working to rebuild the election security infrastructure it previously dismantled. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, plans to implement a security mechanism used during the World Cup to safeguard the upcoming midterm elections, with a public plan expected in 30 days. Election officials across 44 states are adapting to these changes, as many have had to rely on private cybersecurity vendors or hire additional IT staff due to the lack of federal support.