A History of Doubt and Disinformation

David Harvilicz, Assistant Secretary for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk, and Resilience Policy at DHS, has repeatedly questioned the integrity of American elections on social media. Posts from his X account demonstrate a consistent skepticism towards voting machines, which he deems “eminently vulnerable to exploitation.” In a March post, Harvilicz explicitly stated, “DHS needs to ban voting machines for all federal elections. The time is now.” He has also cast doubt on Democratic victories and encouraged Republicans to restructure electoral systems to their benefit. His calls for eliminating voting machines are particularly alarming given his current role.

Harvilicz’s concerns aren’t isolated. He co-founded Tranquility AI with James Penrose, a figure deeply involved in promoting debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. Penrose actively participated in efforts to seize voting machines in an attempt to overturn the results, including alleged illegal access to voting machines in Michigan. He was reportedly an unindicted co-conspirator in the Georgia election interference case. Tranquility AI itself lists both men on patents for its systems, and markets a product for “election integrity,” raising further questions about potential conflicts of interest.

The timing of Harvilicz’s appointment and the administration’s recent actions are raising eyebrows among election security experts. The FBI’s seizure of 2020 voting records from Fulton County, Georgia, and the involvement of Tulsi Gabbard’s team in taking custody of voting machines in Puerto Rico are seen by many as attempts to relitigate settled election disputes.

“The security of our election infrastructure depends on leadership that is trusted, impartial and grounded in evidence — not individuals who have promoted conspiracy theories about the very systems they are now responsible for protecting,” stated Danielle Lang, vice president for voting rights and the rule of law at the Campaign Legal Center. “Placing someone with that background in charge of policies affecting election security can undermine public confidence in our elections at a time when trust is already fragile.”

Shifting Priorities at DHS

Current and former DHS officials report a significant shift in the department’s focus under Harvilicz’s leadership. Rather than solely focusing on broad policy to protect critical infrastructure, including election systems, Harvilicz and his team have become actively involved in data-gathering efforts aimed at identifying non-citizens on voter rolls. ProPublica has previously reported on these efforts, which have resulted in numerous U.S. citizens being incorrectly flagged.

Harvilicz’s team includes Heather Honey, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Election Integrity, who previously led the Election Integrity Network, a conservative group that has actively challenged the legitimacy of U.S. elections. Honey collaborated closely with Cleta Mitchell, a key figure in attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Samantha Anderson, a data specialist reporting directly to Harvilicz, previously worked to elect Donald Trump through the America First Policy Institute.

These appointments have sparked concerns that Harvilicz and Honey will unduly influence assessments of election cybersecurity and potentially facilitate efforts to gain control of voting machines should Republicans lose seats in upcoming elections. A current DHS official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “It would be super easy for them to get the voting machines…they can describe it as they want, if they don’t like the results.”

Harvilicz’s career path is unconventional, encompassing stints in law, politics, and technology. He launched an unsuccessful congressional bid in 2004 and subsequently led various ventures, including a crowdfunding company and a film production business. He also served as a cybersecurity official in the Department of Energy during the first Trump administration. His appointment to DHS came in July 2025.

Prior to assuming his role at DHS, Tranquility AI made a $100,000 donation to Trump’s inaugural fund through a newly created nonprofit linked to Harvilicz’s home address, as reported by The Intercept. Harvilicz defended the donation as a means of facilitating communication with administration policymakers.

Do you believe that individuals with publicly expressed doubts about election integrity should be entrusted with safeguarding those same elections? What safeguards should be in place to ensure impartiality in election security roles?

Frequently Asked Questions About David Harvilicz and Election Security