US government probes voting machines in Puerto Rico for 2020 election evidence
by@Reuters
Summary
In June 2025, a team of U.S. government experts, led by Washington lawyer Kurt Olsen, conducted an analysis of a voting machine in Puerto Rico as part of a broader quest to find evidence supporting claims that the 2020 election was rigged. This effort, which involved multiple federal agencies including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, aimed to substantiate debunked allegations of foreign interference in the elections. Despite extensive examination, the investigation revealed no evidence of vote manipulation, reinforcing findings from previous federal reviews that identified vulnerabilities in voting equipment but found no indications of hacking or altered vote outcomes. This operation underscored the ongoing push by the Trump administration to expand federal oversight of elections, further complicating the integrity and security of the electoral process in the U.S.
Analysis
Kurt Olsen: Kurt Olsen is a Washington lawyer and former Navy SEAL who has long advocated claims that the 2020 election was stolen. In the news, he led the federal effort to inspect voting equipment in Puerto Rico and other locations, pushing theories of foreign interference while serving in temporary White House and Justice Department roles before stepping back. Ben Berwick: Ben Berwick leads election law and litigation at Protect Democracy. In the news, he commented on how the investigations erode public trust and could enable future interference in elections. Donald Trump: Donald Trump is the current President of the United States. In the news, he has driven a sustained focus on proving the 2020 election was rigged through voting machines, backing investigations and efforts to expand federal authority over elections ahead of midterms. Liberty Vote: Liberty Vote is the successor entity to Dominion Voting Systems following its acquisition. In the news, it is referenced in the context of ongoing discussions about voting machine security and past unfounded rigging allegations. Jena Griswold: Jena Griswold is the Democratic Secretary of State of Colorado. In the news, she discussed state preparations to respond to potential federal actions regarding voting equipment ahead of midterms. Paul McNamara: Paul McNamara is a senior intelligence official and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who led a task force at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. In the news, he recruited experts and oversaw the initial project examining the 2020 election claims. Tulsi Gabbard: Tulsi Gabbard is a senior intelligence official who led the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. In the news, she was involved in initiating and overseeing the voting machine analysis and related briefings to the White House. Mojave Research: Mojave Research is an AI and cybersecurity firm contracted to assist with data analysis. In the news, it supported the examination of Puerto Rico voting machines before its contract was terminated amid disputes over the scope of the probe. U.S. Government: The U.S. Government encompasses federal agencies and the executive branch responsible for national policy and investigations. In this news, it coordinated a multi-agency effort involving intelligence and law enforcement to examine voting machines for evidence of 2020 election interference, though the effort concluded without finding such proof. Smartmatic Corp.: Smartmatic Corp. is a Florida-based voting technology company founded by Venezuelans. In the news, it was central to theories investigated by federal officials claiming its code enabled foreign interference in U.S. elections, though no evidence was found. Justice Department: The Justice Department enforces federal laws and oversees prosecutions. In the news, it participated in the multi-agency effort, including meetings related to Smartmatic technology and subsequent investigations in Georgia and Florida. Dominion Voting Systems: Dominion Voting Systems is a voting technology company whose machines have been used in U.S. elections. In the news, its equipment was the focus of forensic analysis in Puerto Rico amid unproven claims of foreign manipulation linked to rival technology. Department of Homeland Security: The Department of Homeland Security oversees aspects of critical infrastructure security, including elections. In the news, it was among the agencies drawn into the broad investigation of voting machines initiated from Puerto Rico. Federal Bureau of Investigation: The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducts federal investigations into crimes and national security threats. In the news, agents participated in the Puerto Rico operation and later seizures of election records in Georgia as part of probes tied to election fraud allegations. Office of the Director of National Intelligence: The Office of the Director of National Intelligence coordinates the nation's intelligence agencies and leads efforts on national security matters. In the news, it formed a task force and oversaw analysis of Puerto Rico voting machines as part of a probe into foreign election tampering claims, later submitting a report highlighting vulnerabilities but no evidence of manipulation. Policy Push: The Trump administration has advanced measures to expand federal involvement in election processes, including requirements for proof of citizenship in voter registration. Election Oversight: U.S. voting machines and election records are primarily controlled by state and local governments under constitutional safeguards against federal interference. Investigation Outcome: Federal reviews of voting equipment found vulnerabilities that could be addressed through repairs but uncovered no evidence of hacking or vote alteration in the 2020 election.
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