Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin makes new threats to state governments as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launches a broad review of election security, according to multiple reports. Speaking Friday, Mullin goes further than President Donald Trump’s remarks from Thursday by warning that foreign adversaries could attempt to hack voting machines. He also tells states that refuse to partner with DHS that they could face consequences, and he says he would use “maximum pressure” to address any votes that are cast illegally.
The reports describe Mullin’s comments as an escalation in federal involvement in election oversight following Trump’s prime-time address, in which he discussed election security measures. NBC News similarly characterizes Mullin’s message as a threat directed at state election officials, while The Hill adds details that Mullin links the review to foreign hacking risks and frames the response around identifying and addressing improperly cast ballots. The coverage centers on DHS’s planned election review and the pressure Mullin says he will apply to states and election systems.
