WEATHER ALERT
US cybersecurity agency's future role in elections remains murky under the Trump administration
Read full article: US cybersecurity agency's future role in elections remains murky under the Trump administrationThe nation’s cybersecurity agency has played a critical role in helping states shore up the defenses of their voting systems, but its election mission appears uncertain amid sustained criticism from Republicans and key figures in the Trump administration.
Head of US cybersecurity agency says she hopes it keeps up election work under Trump
Read full article: Head of US cybersecurity agency says she hopes it keeps up election work under TrumpOutgoing U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly says she hopes her agency will be able to keep up its election-related work.
EXPLAINER: Can social media companies boot Trump? Yes
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Can social media companies boot Trump? YesThis Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 image shows the suspended Twitter account of President Donald Trump. On Friday, the social media company permanently suspended Trump from its platform, citing "risk of further incitement of violence." (AP Photo/Tali Arbel)WASHINGTON – Social media companies decided this past week they had finally seen enough from President Donald Trump. Facebook and Instagram suspended Trump at least until Inauguration Day. That’s not how this works,” said Chris Krebs, when asked Sunday whether censorship by social media companies violated freedom of speech protections.
President Trump fires agency head who vouched for 2020 vote security
Read full article: President Trump fires agency head who vouched for 2020 vote securityWhile abrupt, the dismissal Tuesday of Christopher Krebs, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, was not a surprise. Hours before being dismissed, Krebs tweeted out a report citing 59 election security experts saying there is no credible evidence of computer fraud in the 2020 election outcome. Biden campaign spokesman Michael Gwin noted that bipartisan election officials have dismissed Trump’s claims of widespread fraud. Some state election officials and Republicans, suspicious of federal intrusion on their turf, were opposed to the designation. But the Trump administration supported the designation, and, eventually, skeptical state officials welcomed the assistance.
Trump fires agency head who vouched for 2020 vote security
Read full article: Trump fires agency head who vouched for 2020 vote securityWhile abrupt, the dismissal of Christopher Krebs, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, was not a surprise. Hours before being dismissed, Krebs tweeted out a report citing 59 election security experts saying there is no credible evidence of computer fraud in the 2020 election outcome. Biden campaign spokesman Michael Gwin noted that bipartisan election officials have dismissed Trump’s claims of widespread fraud. Some state election officials and Republicans, suspicious of federal intrusion on their turf, were opposed to the designation. But the Trump administration supported the designation, and, eventually, skeptical state officials welcomed the assistance.
Countering Trump, US officials defend integrity of election
Read full article: Countering Trump, US officials defend integrity of election(AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)WASHINGTON – Four weeks ahead of Election Day, senior national security officials provided fresh assurances about the integrity of the elections in a video message Tuesday, putting them at odds with President Donald Trump’s efforts to discredit the vote. “That's because of an all-of-nation, unprecedented election security effort over the last several years." The video was released as U.S. officials have revealed ongoing foreign efforts to interfere in the election, including Russian attempts to denigrate Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. "Despite these nefarious efforts, our election system remains resilient," said Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. “Rest assured that the security of the election, and safeguarding your vote is, and will continue to be one of our highest priorities,” Wray said.