Rep. Jim Jordan has accused CISA Director Jen Easterly of evading congressional inquiries about the agency’s role in censoring election-related speech. Jordan’s letter, obtained by The Federalist, highlights four instances where Easterly allegedly avoided addressing concerns about CISA’s actions.
CISA has been under scrutiny for reportedly collaborating with Democratic-led states to suppress speech considered “misinformation” ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The Pennsylvania “Election Threats Task Force” is one example cited by Jordan, illustrating CISA’s involvement in local election oversight.
Jordan states that Easterly was invited to testify at a hearing in July 2024 but claimed she would be out of town on that date. Despite the committee offering alternative dates, Easterly reportedly declined to suggest any times she could appear.
The letter calls for Easterly to participate in a transcribed interview “without any further undue delay.” It also reminds her of a congressional subpoena requiring CISA to produce relevant communications regarding content moderation practices. Jordan previously criticized CISA for failing to comply adequately with this subpoena, citing limited documentation provided.
CISA’s involvement in coordinating with Pennsylvania officials to “mitigate threats” to election integrity has raised concerns among some lawmakers. Critics point out that CISA has a history of labeling factual concerns as “disinformation,” particularly during the 2020 election, when posts about mail-in voting were flagged for censorship.
As the 2024 election approaches, questions surrounding CISA’s practices and the agency’s relationship with state governments continue to emerge, highlighting potential issues of government overreach and the protection of free speech.
