🗳️🇺🇸 U.S. Intelligence Office Reviews Puerto Rico Voting Equipment

Authorities in Puerto Rico voluntarily provided election equipment to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) for a risk evaluation, according to officials.

An ODNI spokesperson said the review was necessary because “similar infrastructure is used throughout the United States,” raising broader national security considerations around election systems. 🖥️🔎

🇺🇸 Federal Oversight and Trump’s Election Claims

The move by the intelligence office — led by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard — follows repeated calls from Donald Trump to “nationalize” future elections and expand federal oversight in states he claims are vulnerable to fraud.

According to reports first published by Reuters, Gabbard also stated that Trump directed her to attend an Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) search of an election center in Fulton County, where agents seized 2020 ballots.

Trump, who lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, continues to assert — without evidence — that the election was “rigged” and has said ongoing investigations will validate his claims.

⚖️ Constitutional Authority and Political Backlash

Under the U.S. Constitution, states oversee elections, although federal agencies have historically provided guidance on voting machine security and cybersecurity standards.

Congressional Democrats argue that expanded federal involvement risks undermining state authority and could interfere with vote counting ahead of the fall midterm elections. 📣

🖥️ Cybersecurity Concerns Raised

The ODNI stated it initiated the review after public claims of discrepancies and systemic anomalies in Puerto Rico’s election systems, though officials did not specify prior findings.

Following its evaluation, the agency reported “extremely concerning cybersecurity and operational deployment practices” that it says pose a significant risk to U.S. elections.

🔎 What Comes Next?

The review adds a new layer to ongoing debates over election security, federal authority, and claims of voter fraud. As midterm elections approach, scrutiny of voting infrastructure — and the balance of power between states and Washington — is likely to intensify.