The Trump administration’s review of CISA’s election security operations has triggered an outcry from media figures defending the agency’s role in monitoring online speech as detailed here. CISA, originally designed to protect infrastructure, shifted its focus to flagging election-related discussions, sparking concerns over government overreach.
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office confirmed that the administration is reassessing all of CISA’s election-related activities, including its coordination with social media platforms to suppress what it deemed “misinformation.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the agency for going beyond its cybersecurity mission, stating that it had overstepped its intended role.
Investigative reports have revealed that CISA played a direct role in shaping online discourse, working with Stanford University and the State Department to pressure social media companies into censoring certain viewpoints. The Election Integrity Partnership (EIP), created at CISA’s request, flagged posts for Big Tech to remove — including satirical content and political opinions.
The media’s response has been predictably negative. Politico described the review as part of a “federal purge,” while Wired framed the administration’s efforts as “enabling Trump’s false claims.” VoteBeat warned that election officials fear losing CISA’s involvement in overseeing election processes.
Under the previous administration, CISA encouraged greater cooperation between the government and tech companies, with leaked communications showing officials pushing platforms to “get comfortable” with working alongside federal agencies. The agency also worked with Pennsylvania election officials to monitor online speech about election integrity, flagging discussions they considered harmful.
Trump has made it clear that his administration will not allow federal agencies to police online speech. His executive order banning government-led censorship has already prompted action, and the review of CISA is expected to further limit the agency’s role in election oversight. While some officials continue to defend CISA’s influence, its future in election-related matters remains uncertain.
