CISA’s actions are the gravest threat to American democracy
West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner didn’t hold back when criticizing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) last month. He called out the federal agency for lying to the American people and interfering in elections. Warner’s strong words were spoken at a panel during the winter meeting of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) in Washington, D.C. Wired’s Eric Geller attempted to defend CISA in an article titled “How a Right-Wing Controversy Could Sabotage US Election Security,” but the agency’s history of censorship and election interference supports Warner’s concerns.
The House Judiciary Committee and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government released a report last fall that exposed CISA’s collaboration with Big Tech and “disinformation” partners to censor Americans. The report revealed that CISA has become the nerve center of the federal government’s domestic surveillance and censorship operations on social media.
‘Platforms Have Got to Get More Comfortable With Gov’t’
CISA, originally created to protect critical infrastructure and guard against cybersecurity threats, has expanded its reach to target what it deems as “misinformation” and ”disinformation” on social media. The agency even established a team dedicated to combating these issues. However, their definition of “malinformation” includes factual information that is inconvenient for the Biden regime.
In 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CISA’s parent agency, launched the controversial “Disinformation Governance Board” to collaborate with social media platforms in silencing speech the government disapproved of. Lawsuits have been filed against the Biden administration for attempting to remove information deemed false or misleading.
Leaked documents revealed that CISA director Jen Easterly urged platforms to be more comfortable with government involvement. Facebook even had a portal for Homeland Security to report alleged “disinformation.”
CISA has also collaborated with the Election Integrity Partnership and Virality Project, accused of violating the First Amendment rights of social media users. A lawsuit has been filed against them.
‘Only a Matter of Time’
CISA claims to play an “informational” role, but evidence suggests otherwise. The agency has considered creating an anti-misinformation “rapid response team” and moved its censorship operation to a CISA-funded non-profit to avoid government propaganda accusations.
CISA is “working with federal partners to mature a whole-of-government approach” to curbing alleged misinformation and disinformation.
CISA considered the creation of an anti-misinformation “rapid response team” capable of physically deploying across the United States.
CISA moved its censorship operation to a CISA-funded non-profit after CISA and the Biden Administration were sued in federal court, implicitly admitting that its censorship activities are unconstitutional.
CISA wanted to use the same CISA-funded non-profit as its mouthpiece to “avoid the appearance of government propaganda.”
The agency’s advisory committee expressed concerns about being exposed and created a subcommittee focused on protecting critical infrastructure from misinformation and disinformation. Interestingly, the subcommittee included Vijaya Gadde, Twitter’s former chief legal officer involved in censoring the New York Post’s Hunter Biden laptop story and permanently banning former President Trump from Twitter.
‘Most Insidious Attack on American Democracy’
Geller’s article attempts to discredit Warner, but his concerns are valid. Warner, a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army member, has firsthand experience with security threats. He considers CISA’s actions to be the most insidious attack on American democracy in history.
Warner has repeatedly called for an after-action report on the 2020 election, but CISA officials have ignored his requests. Many state elections officials fear the backlash from the media and prefer not to address the Biden administration’s disinformation campaign.
A Warning
Warner stands out as one of the few voices speaking out against CISA and distancing himself from the agency. However, Geller worries that other conservative colleagues may continue working with CISA, despite its abusive practices. It’s crucial for officials to recognize the agency’s track record and rhetoric, as Warner’s warnings are not simply a “right-wing controversy.”
CISA director Jen Easterly has even stated that building resilience to misinformation and disinformation is incredibly important, despite the agency’s disregard for the First Amendment.
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How does CISA’s collaboration with Big Tech and social media platforms impact free speech and democracy?
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Warner’s criticism of CISA’s interference in elections is not unfounded. The agency’s collaboration with Big Tech and social media platforms to censor and silence speech goes against the principles of free speech and democracy. By targeting what it deems as “misinformation” and “disinformation,” CISA is effectively controlling the narrative and suppressing dissenting voices.
The leaked documents revealing CISA’s push for government involvement in social media platforms raise concerns about privacy and individual freedoms. The government should not have the power to dictate what is truth and what is false, especially when it comes to political discourse. Giving CISA the authority to determine what information is “misinformation” opens the door to potential abuse and manipulation.
Furthermore, the creation of the “Disinformation Governance Board” by the Department of Homeland Security is a worrisome development. Collaborating with social media platforms to silence speech deemed unfavorable to the government is a direct infringement on the First Amendment rights of American citizens.
The lawsuit against CISA and its partners, the Election Integrity Partnership and Virality Project, is an essential step in holding the agency accountable for its actions. Protecting the First Amendment rights of individuals and ensuring the integrity of elections should be the priority, not the suppression of information and the control of social media platforms.
In a democracy, it is vital to have open and robust public discourse, where ideas can be freely expressed, debated, and evaluated. CISA’s attempts to control the flow of information and silence dissenting voices undermine the foundations of democracy.
If the United States wants to maintain its standing as a beacon of freedom and democracy, it must ensure that the principles of free speech and open debate are upheld. CISA’s actions erode public trust and undermine the legitimacy of elections. It is crucial for lawmakers and citizens alike to stand up against this infringement on individual liberties and hold the agency accountable.
Secretary Warner’s criticism of CISA should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans who value freedom of speech and democracy. The government should not have the power to dictate what information is acceptable and what is not. It is up to the American people to defend their rights and ensure that censorship and interference in elections have no place in a free and democratic society.
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