Former Election Denier Takes Senior Role in US Election Security

Heather Honey, a prominent figure associated with efforts to challenge the legitimacy of Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss, has been appointed to a senior role in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In her new position, Honey will help oversee the nation’s election infrastructure, a task critical to ensuring the security and integrity of future elections.

Honey’s appointment comes at a time when trust in electoral processes is particularly fragile. She is regarded as a protégé of Cleta Mitchell, a lawyer who was involved in attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. According to reports, Honey played a significant role in efforts to alter Georgia’s election rules to facilitate challenges to the results of the upcoming 2024 presidential race. Her affiliation with election conspiracy theories, notably one cited by Trump during a rally before the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, raises concerns about her suitability for this position.

The DHS is tasked with supporting state-level election management through activities that extend beyond local capabilities, including safeguarding information technology systems and voter databases from foreign interference. This mandate gained urgency following Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, prompting bipartisan support for enhanced security measures.

Concerns regarding Honey’s role have been voiced by experts and state officials. Adrian Fontes, Arizona’s Democratic Secretary of State, expressed alarm over her history of disseminating misinformation about elections, stating, “We are witnessing a dangerous trend: the elevation of known bad-faith actors like Heather Honey.” He emphasized that associating with someone who has actively undermined public trust complicates DHS’s role as a reliable partner in election security.

A spokesperson from DHS did not provide details regarding Honey’s responsibilities or respond to inquiries from ProPublica. While her name appears on the agency’s leadership structure, Honey has not publicly addressed her appointment. The White House also did not comment on the matter.

In the first Trump administration, measures were established to protect U.S. elections from foreign threats, including the creation of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). However, after CISA’s director contradicted Trump’s claims about the election being stolen, the administration’s support for such initiatives waned. Reports indicate significant cuts to CISA’s workforce during the second Trump presidency, raising alarms about the agency’s capacity to safeguard election infrastructure.

David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, noted that the dismantling of critical programs has severely limited DHS’s ability to secure elections. He remarked that Honey’s appointment, along with recent budget cuts, signals a troubling shift in the administration’s priorities, potentially jeopardizing the integrity of U.S. elections.

Two sources familiar with Honey’s hiring indicated she began her role at DHS recently. An organizational chart updated on August 18, 2023, identifies her as a leader in the agency’s Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans. The nature of her oversight responsibilities remains unclear, but such positions typically involve significant policymaking duties and liaising with the White House and National Security Council.

Since her appointment, Trump has announced intentions to eliminate mail-in ballots and modify voting machines, though a senior aide later clarified that these changes would be pursued through legislative means. Reports have emerged suggesting that DHS may withhold approximately $28 million in grants intended to assist states in preparing for terrorism and disasters unless they alter voting regulations to align with the administration’s directives.

Honey’s role may also involve coordinating responses to any foreign interference in election systems, which could require access to classified information. Experts are apprehensive about her portfolio, given her previous promotion of misinformation regarding election processes. Larry Norden, an election expert at the Brennan Center for Justice, remarked on the implications of her past statements, indicating they have contributed to the proliferation of false narratives surrounding election integrity.

Before her involvement in the “Stop the Steal” movement, Honey lacked experience in government or election administration, working instead as a private investigator based in Pennsylvania. After the 2020 election, she became involved in a Republican-backed audit in Arizona, seeking evidence of voter fraud, which ultimately reaffirmed President Biden’s victory.

Honey has led multiple organizations advocating for changes to election systems aligned with conservative values, including initiatives to tighten voter registration requirements. Members of her Pennsylvania Fair Elections organization have challenged the eligibility of numerous residents on voter rolls. Honey has also played a role in efforts to withdraw states from a bipartisan data-sharing partnership aimed at enhancing voting security.

The implications of Honey’s appointment and her approach to election security continue to unfold, raising critical questions about the future of electoral integrity in the United States. As the nation approaches the 2024 elections, the intersection of political agendas and election administration remains under intense scrutiny.