Fact-checking DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on her agency's role in elections
#Kristi Noem#Homeland Security#Election security#SAVE America Act#Voter ID#CISA#Election administration
📌 Key Takeaways
Noem claimed DHS has significant responsibility in elections while advocating for stricter voter ID laws
Experts clarified DHS only provides voluntary assistance to states, not oversight authority
States have primary constitutional responsibility for election administration
Noem's remarks about 'the right people voting' drew criticism from Democrats
📖 Full Retelling
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made comments about her department's role in elections at a Phoenix press conference on February 13, 2026, while advocating for stricter voter ID legislation that would require photo identification to vote and documentary proof of citizenship for registration. Although Noem correctly acknowledged that 'the Constitution gives states the primary responsibility for running their elections,' she also claimed that federal authorities and duties related to elections 'lie within my department' and that 'the responsibility lies with me.' Her remarks came two days after House Republicans passed the SAVE America Act, legislation backed by President Donald Trump that would implement the voter requirements she was promoting. Noem described her role as including the responsibility of 'pointing out different vulnerabilities that we may see in our election systems' and 'making sure we're putting forward mitigation measures that can be enacted at the state and local level.' Her statement about making sure 'we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders' drew immediate criticism from Democrats and election law experts who clarified that DHS plays only a limited, voluntary role in election security. In reality, the Department of Homeland Security's involvement in elections is primarily through its Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which provides voluntary security assessments, training, and technical assistance to state and local election officials upon request, but does not have authority over election administration or vote counting.
🏷️ Themes
Election security, Federal-state relations, Voter ID legislation
Election cybersecurity or election security refers to the protection of elections and voting infrastructure from cyberattack or cyber threat – including the tampering with or infiltration of voting machines and equipment, election office networks and practices, and voter registration databases.
Cybe...
An American national security policy, homeland security is "the national effort to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards where American interests, aspirations, and ways of life can thrive" to the "national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within...
Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem ( NOHM; née Arnold; born November 30, 1971) is an American politician who is the 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security. A member of the Republican Party, she served as the 33rd governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025 and represented South Dakota's at-large congr...
A voter identification law is a law that requires a person to show some form of identification to vote. In some jurisdictions requiring photo IDs, voters who do not have photo ID often must have their identity verified by someone else (such as in Sweden) or sign a Challenged Voter Affidavit (such as...
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, also known as the SAVE Act, is a proposed United States law that would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require "documentary proof of United States citizenship" to register to vote.
The article shows that the Department of Homeland Security does not run elections, countering claims that it has direct control over voting processes. This clarity helps voters understand the true division of responsibilities between federal and state authorities.
Context & Background
The Department of Homeland Security created the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to protect critical infrastructure including elections
Secretary Noem promoted the SAVE America Act that would require photo ID and citizenship proof for voting
PolitiFact fact‑check confirms that DHS provides security advice but does not oversee elections
What Happens Next
The SAVE America Act may face legal challenges and public debate as states decide whether to adopt its provisions. DHS is likely to continue offering security guidance while its political influence on election law remains limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DHS run elections?
No, states run elections; DHS only offers security assistance
What is the SAVE America Act?
Legislation that would require photo ID and citizenship proof for voting
How does CISA help elections?
CISA provides security assessments, alerts, and training to election officials
Can DHS enforce voting requirements?
No, enforcement is the responsibility of state authorities
Original Source
By — Amy Sherman, PolitiFact Amy Sherman, PolitiFact Leave your feedback Share Copy URL Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Fact-checking DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on her agency's role in elections Politics Feb 21, 2026 12:31 PM EST This article originally appeared on PolitiFact. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made comments that could lead people to misinterpret her agency's role in elections as she lobbied for legislation that would require photo ID to vote and documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration. WATCH: DHS Secretary Noem speaks about SAVE Act and election security in Phoenix "Although the Constitution gives states the primary responsibility for running their elections, Congress also gives authorities and duties to the federal government," Noem said Feb. 13 at a press conference . "Now, as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, those authorities lie within my department. And the responsibility lies with me." Her comments came two days after House Republicans passed the SAVE America Act , legislation backed by President Donald Trump. Noem then described what she said is her role in elections: "I have the responsibility of not just pointing out different vulnerabilities that we may see in our election systems, but also with making sure that we're putting forward mitigation measures that can be enacted at the state and local level to make sure that our elections are run correctly, that the votes are counted and tabulated and that the people that were elected were put into those positions." READ MORE: What to know about how the SAVE America Act could change voting A phrase she later used about making sure "we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders" drew alarm from Democrats . After CNN's Jake Tapper questioned her remarks about the "right people" voting, Noem responded on X : "We must build election infrastructure that makes it easy and secure for eligible Ame...
