Honi Honi, loudly denied the loss of Donald Trump in the 2020 elections, was appointed to the highest position in the US Department of Internal Security, in which it will help observe the country’s electoral infrastructure.
Honey is a mitchel cell standing, a lawyer who tried Help Trump cancel the 2020 election results. In 2024, Propublica reports This honey has played a key role in the behind -the -scenes efforts of Mitchela to change Georgia’s election rules to allow republican officials to challenge the potential loss of Trump in the presidential race this year. Honey too advocated conspiracy theories in the electionIncluding one Trump, given in a speech before their followers before they stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Although states do work on Earth that work in the elections, DHS supports them with tasks that do not exceed their capabilities, such as IT protection -infrastructure and voter database from foreign invasions. Agency with two -party support took this role after that Russia’s intervention in Election 2016.
Experts on votes and public election officials warned that the appointment of Honey deputy assistant secretary for the integrity of DHS could destroy the confidence between state and federal officials, which forced the states not to share information with the agency.
“We are seeing a dangerous trend: the elevation of famous actors such as Honny Honi,” said Adrian Fontez, Arizona Secretary of State, in a statement, referring to “a well-documented election distribution history.”
Fontez called her participation in DHS “deeply disturbing” and said: “When the agency gives the platform to people who actively worked on painting public trust, it becomes more difficult to consider DHS as a reliable election security partner.”
DHS press secretary did not answer the propublica questions about the appointment of Honey or the exact nature of her duties. Honey did not respond to calls and emails. The White House also did not respond to a comment request. Her name was made to the organization’s management structure on the Internet, and its purpose was first.
In Trump’s first administration, the Federal Government has created programs aimed at protecting the US election from foreign intervention, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, DHS hand. But Trump came to these and other initiatives after the CISA director publicly denied His allegations that the 2020 elections were abducted.
Since the start of Trump’s second presidency, the administration has pulled these programs by cutting Hundreds of employees in Cisa. Its director Chris Crebs, this Now as part of a federal investigationDHS said; Krebs said CNN that the investigation was an act of political retaliation. A The Justice Department also sent the program aimed at combating foreign influence companies. General Prosecutor Pazi wrote in a memorandum The program of the Ministry of Justice was dissolved on “free resources to resolve more pressing priorities, and the final risks of further armed weapons and abuse of the prosecutor’s office.”
David Beker, Executive Director of the Innovation and Research Center, a non -profit organization -oriented organization, said that the reduction dismantled “almost all” DHS to protect the electoral infrastructure. He said the officials of the state elections were afraid that the appointment of Honny, combined with the reduction of the program, signal the intention of Trump’s administration to eliminate the purchase of fair elections in the US.
“Acceptance of a work theorist in elections without knowledge of elections and experience is the culmination of this reversal,” Beker said. “Now DHS appears to be ready to become the main amplifier of false elections, encouraged by our enemies.”
Two sources familiar with Honey’s hiring at DHS said she started working at the agency last week. As also Organizational schedule dated 18 August on Web -Sight of the Department identifies her as leader In the office of the Agency for Strategy, Policy and Plans. Her position was not on version site Archived in July, and officials in the former administrations stated that there was no such work before.
It is unclear that honey will oversee, but former DHS officials said that the deputy assistant secretaries are usually the leading expert of the agency in their subjects. They often participate in the development of executive orders and development of politics. They also act as connections with the White House and the National Security Council.
Ever since the honey started, Trump announced ‘Movement to get rid of the ballot papers and voting via executive order though a After that said the chief assistant The administration will pursue these goals through legislation. DHS also threatens to reduce about $ 28 million to help states prepare for terrorism and disaster if they do not change voting rules to meet the administration’s priority, Reports NPR.
Honey’s responsibilities will probably include assistance in the government’s organization when foreign entities invade the country’s electoral systems, former officials said. To do this, evaluate the safety of the electoral infrastructure, someone who holds its position will usually have access to secret information, including the election intelligence.
Experts expressed concern about Honey’s portfolio, given its history of misinformation.
“By the way, the past miscalculated claims by Honi, related to the vote in Pennsylvania, helped to ignite false conspiracy theories about the stolen elections,” said Larry Norden, an election expert at the Brennan Law, a non -partisan law and a policy.
Before being replaced in the “stop theft” movement, honey did not have experience in the federal government or as an election administrator while working as a Pennsylvania a private investigator.
After the 2020 elections she became Contractor for a republican audit I am looking for evidence of fraud in the newsletters operating in the Maricop District, Arizona. According to emails between employees working on the review that ended up confirmed by Biden’s victoryHoney helped develop the final report.
Since then honey led at least three Organizations dedicated to transformation of electoral systems Methods that advocate conservatives, such as the requirements for enhancing the right to people who can be on the roll of voters. Members of Honey’s Pennsylvania Fair Elections, state section From the Mitchell Election network, there is challenged the right to thousands residents who should be on the rolls of voters.
Honey also participated in many other efforts to transform elections across the country including a successful push To get many states with the republican leadership to get out of the two -party interstate partnership to share the data to make the vote safer.
Do you have the information you can share about the Heathr Honey or Elections held in the Federal Government, especially at the Internal Security Department? Contact the reporter with Clark’s side Doug.clark@propublica.org Either at the signal at 678-243-0784. If you are concerned about confidentiality, Check out our tips on the safest ways to share tips.
Christopher Bing and William Tarton contributed to the report.
