DHS Places Cybersecurity Staff on Leave Amidst Election Security Mission Review
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has placed several Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) employees on administrative leave as part of a comprehensive review of the agency’s election security mission. This move comes amidst growing concerns about the agency’s handling of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, particularly in the context of elections. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the action in a statement to Scripps News, emphasizing the need for CISA to "refocus on its mission," with election security as a top priority. The evaluation will scrutinize CISA’s past activities related to mis-, dis-, and malinformation, raising questions about the agency’s approach and potential overreach.
The decision to place staff on leave follows renewed scrutiny of the now-defunct "Disinformation Governance Board," an initiative established by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in 2022. This board, intended to combat misinformation ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, drew significant criticism and was ultimately dissolved shortly after its inception. The board’s focus on countering misinformation campaigns targeting minority communities sparked debate about its scope and potential impact on free speech. The current review of CISA’s activities echoes these earlier concerns, highlighting the ongoing tension between protecting election integrity and safeguarding fundamental rights.
The employees placed on leave were reportedly involved in various aspects of CISA’s efforts to address mis-, dis-, and malinformation, as well as foreign influence operations and disinformation campaigns. The duration of their administrative leave remains unclear, pending the outcome of the DHS review. The specific roles and responsibilities of these individuals within CISA are currently under scrutiny as part of the broader investigation into the agency’s practices. This evaluation aims to determine whether CISA’s activities exceeded its mandate or infringed upon protected speech.
Secretary Mayorkas’s testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee in April 2022, where he defended the creation of the Disinformation Governance Board, has resurfaced amidst the current controversy. His justification for the board at the time centered on the need to address targeted misinformation campaigns affecting vulnerable populations. The board’s short lifespan and subsequent dissolution, however, suggest widespread discomfort with its approach. The present review of CISA’s work raises similar questions about the agency’s role in addressing online misinformation, particularly concerning election-related content.
The Disinformation Governance Board, briefly headed by Undersecretary for Policy Rob Silvers and Principal Deputy General Counsel Jennifer Gaskill, faced immediate backlash upon its announcement. With Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation fellow at the Wilson Center, serving as executive director, the board’s composition and mandate drew intense scrutiny. Critics argued that the board’s potential impact on free speech outweighed its purported benefits in combating misinformation. The swift dismantling of the board underscored the sensitivity and complexity of government efforts to regulate online information, especially within the politically charged context of elections.
The ongoing review of CISA’s activities reflects a broader examination of how government agencies should address the challenges posed by disinformation and misinformation. The line between protecting democratic processes and respecting individual liberties remains a point of contention. The outcome of the DHS review will likely shape future policy decisions regarding the government’s role in combating online misinformation campaigns, particularly in relation to election security. The case of the CISA employees on administrative leave signifies the ongoing debate about the appropriate balance between safeguarding elections and upholding free speech principles.
