Federal Drawdown of Election Support ‘Destroyed’ Ongoing Relationships, Experts Say

Why It Matters

The erosion of federal election‑security support creates critical gaps that could expose the 2026 midterms to cyber‑attacks and foreign influence, while undermining trust between state officials and the national security apparatus.

Key Takeaways

• CISA election security program slated for elimination in FY27 budget.
• State officials report 75% lack resources to replace CISA cuts.
• Relationships with federal partners “destroyed,” hindering on‑site security assessments.
• FBI raid on Fulton County office raises chain‑of‑custody concerns.
• Cyber Command uncertain if Election Security Group has been reactivated.

Pulse Analysis

The Trump administration’s systematic drawdown of CISA’s election‑security capabilities marks a sharp departure from the agency’s post‑2018 expansion, when the Election Security Group was created to counter foreign interference. Executive orders have pushed the federal role toward political oversight, while budget proposals now aim to erase the dedicated election program entirely. This shift not only sidelines seasoned cyber‑analysts but also signals a broader intent to curtail high‑quality intelligence that previously informed state and local election officials.

State and local officials are feeling the impact acutely. A recent survey cited by the Brennan Center shows three‑quarters of jurisdictions lack the resources to fill the void left by CISA’s staff reductions, and many report a loss of trust in federal partners that once provided on‑site assessments and rapid threat alerts. The abrupt termination of disinformation teams and the firing of liaison officers have left election offices scrambling for expertise, increasing vulnerability to ransomware, phishing and coordinated influence campaigns as the 2026 midterms approach.

The broader implications extend beyond operational gaps. With the FBI’s high‑profile raid on a Georgia elections office raising chain‑of‑custody and voter‑privacy questions, and Cyber Command uncertain about the status of the Election Security Group, the federal response to foreign adversaries appears fragmented. Analysts warn that without a cohesive, well‑funded federal framework, the United States risks a repeat of the 2020 election’s misinformation surge, potentially undermining public confidence in electoral outcomes.