White House Withholds Intelligence Report on Voting Machine Security

The report, drafted by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), suggests that updating existing software could significantly harden voting systems against potential exploitation. Despite these recommendations, the administration has withheld the findings for months. Some officials argue that releasing the data might provide ammunition to those questioning the validity of the 2020 election, while others contend the document fails to support claims of systemic fraud. Sources familiar with the internal deliberations confirm that the identified vulnerabilities—such as internet connectivity and outdated software—are largely known issues, yet no evidence of actual vote manipulation has been uncovered.

As Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard prepares to step down, the future of the report remains uncertain under incoming interim director Bill Pulte. The assessment is part of a broader administration push to investigate election security following a February 2025 executive order. A second unpublished report by contractor Mojave Research, which analyzed machines seized in Puerto Rico, also failed to find proof of hacking. Despite warnings from experts that remediation requires urgent coordination with states, the administration has not implemented an emergency plan to address these system flaws, citing the need to balance security transparency with the potential for political misinterpretation.