DHS Election Chief’s Ties to 2020 Conspiracy Theories Raise Security Concerns

DHS Official Leading Election Security Policy Calls for Ban on Voting Machines

David Harvilicz, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official overseeing the security of federal elections, has publicly called for a ban on all voting machines in U.S. Federal elections. This stance, revealed in recent social media posts, raises concerns among election security experts given his position and past associations. Harvilicz’s call to eliminate voting machines comes as the administration is taking steps to relitigate claims of a stolen 2020 election, including the FBI’s seizure of voting records from Fulton County, Georgia, and a team directed by Tulsi Gabbard taking custody of voting machines in Puerto Rico.

Harvilicz’s background is drawing scrutiny. He is the co-founder of Tranquility AI with James Penrose, who was heavily involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results based on debunked conspiracy theories about hacked voting machines. Penrose participated in attempts to seize voting machines, including in Michigan, and was reportedly an unindicted co-conspirator in the Georgia election interference case.

A History of Questioning Election Outcomes

Harvilicz has repeatedly questioned the validity of Democratic electoral victories and advocated for Republican-led overhauls of electoral systems. His X (formerly Twitter) account demonstrates a pattern of posts expressing distrust in the electoral process and promoting conservative viewpoints. In a March 2026 post, he stated, “DHS needs to ban voting machines for all federal elections. The time is now.” He has also repeatedly questioned the validity of Democratic electoral victories and pushed for Republicans to overhaul electoral systems to their advantage.

Concerns from Election Security Experts

Election experts and former DHS officials have voiced concerns about Harvilicz’s leadership role, particularly given his history and associations. Danielle Lang, vice president for voting rights and the rule of law at the Campaign Legal Center, stated, “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.” She added that placing someone with his background in charge of election security policies could undermine public confidence in elections.

Harvilicz’s Role at DHS and Team Composition

Harvilicz was appointed to his position at DHS around July 2025. His team includes Heather Honey, the deputy assistant secretary of election integrity, who previously led the Election Integrity Network, a conservative group that has challenged the legitimacy of American election systems. Samantha Anderson, a data specialist who previously worked to elect Trump through the America First Policy Institute, also reports directly to Harvilicz. Officials and experts worry that Harvilicz and Honey will play key roles in assessing and describing election cybersecurity, potentially influencing perceptions of election integrity.

Tranquility AI and Potential Conflicts of Interest

Harvilicz co-founded Tranquility AI, a company that develops artificial intelligence tools for law enforcement, with James Penrose. The company’s website lists “election integrity” as one of the potential uses for its technology, though details are scarce. Tranquility AI has partnered with numerous law enforcement agencies and recently secured a partnership with a large government IT contractor. Prior to his DHS appointment, Tranquility AI made a $100,000 donation to Trump’s inaugural fund through a newly created nonprofit based at Harvilicz’s home address.

Background and Career Path

Harvilicz’s career path is diverse. He began working at law firms before launching a congressional bid in 2004. He then led a crowdfunding company, a movie marketing business, a film production business, and several cybersecurity ventures, including one with Penrose. He also served as a cybersecurity official in the Department of Energy during the first Trump administration. Following a fire that destroyed his home in 2020, Harvilicz sought support from then-President Trump, reportedly advocating for voter ID requirements as a condition for disaster aid.