National Intelligence investigated Puerto Rico’s electronic voting system
- The San Juan Daily Star
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
By THE STAR STAFF
A team operating under U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who serves as President Donald Trump’s spy chief, carried out a little‑known inquiry last spring into Puerto Rico’s electronic voting systems, her office and three individuals familiar with the effort said.
The information was provided by Reuters on Thursday.
The sources told Reuters that the original intent was to collaborate with the FBI to assess allegations that Venezuela had tampered with Puerto Rico’s voting machines. However, the inquiry ultimately turned up no conclusive evidence linking Venezuela to interference in the island’s elections.
Gabbard’s office acknowledged to Reuters that an investigation took place in May but rejected any suggestion that it centered on Venezuela. Instead, the office said the review focused on potential weaknesses in Puerto Rico’s electronic voting infrastructure. As part of the probe, Gabbard’s team removed an undisclosed number of voting machines as well as copies of machine data, according to an Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) spokesperson.
Her office described the removal of devices and data as routine procedure during forensic assessments.
The statement added that the ODNI identified “deeply troubling” cybersecurity and operational practices in Puerto Rico’s election systems -- issues the office said reflect vulnerabilities present in other U.S. jurisdictions as well.
The government of Venezuela did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
According to ODNI findings cited by Reuters, some of the vulnerabilities originated from the machines’ reliance on insecure cellular networks. The agency also identified software issues that it said could allow intruders to gain significant access to sensitive election systems.
Several sources told Reuters the Puerto Rico review appeared to fit within a broader push by Trump administration officials to pursue unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud -- claims that have persisted since Trump’s defeat in 2020.
Democratic leaders in Congress expressed alarm after Reuters revealed the Puerto Rico operation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the Trump administration of breaching federal and territorial laws, as well as constitutional protections, by seeking access to election materials.
“They’re attempting to pressure local officials,” Schumer said in an interview with MS NOW on Thursday, responding to the Reuters reporting.
Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, also criticized the operation in comments to Reuters. Warner said it was especially concerning that Gabbard’s own office acknowledged it found no evidence of foreign meddling, yet still seized machines and election data.