In a significant Breaking News development from Washington, a team working under US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard carried out an investigation into voting machines used in Puerto Rico last spring. The operation, which was not previously reported, has now raised fresh questions about election security, intelligence oversight, and political influence in domestic voting systems.
According to three sources familiar with the matter, the investigation was coordinated with the FBI and focused on checking whether Puerto Rico’s electronic voting machines had security weaknesses. While early concerns included claims of foreign interference, the probe did not find clear evidence linking any outside government to election tampering on the island.
What Prompted the Investigation?
Sources said the investigation began after allegations surfaced that Venezuela may have interfered with Puerto Rico’s elections by hacking voting machines. These claims have circulated in some political circles for years but have never been publicly proven.
Gabbard’s office confirmed that an investigation did take place in May. However, it strongly denied that Venezuela was the focus. Instead, officials said the goal was to examine technical flaws and cyber risks in the voting systems used on the island.
A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) stated that reviewing voting machines and extracting data from them is “standard practice” during forensic cybersecurity analysis.
What Did Investigators Find?
According to ODNI, the review uncovered “deeply concerning” issues related to cybersecurity and operational handling of voting equipment. Officials warned that some of these weaknesses could pose risks not only in Puerto Rico but also in other parts of the United States that use similar technology.
The agency said that certain voting machines relied on outdated cellular communication systems. These systems, combined with software flaws, could allow hackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive election infrastructure.
While no confirmed hacking was found, intelligence officials said the vulnerabilities alone were serious enough to require attention.
Role of the FBI and Other Agencies
The Puerto Rico investigation involved the FBI’s field office in southern Florida. Agents worked alongside a special group overseen by Gabbard that was tasked with examining potential threats to election security.
This group reportedly included national security officials, law enforcement officers, and private contractors. According to Gabbard’s office, the US Attorney in Puerto Rico, along with Homeland Security investigators and an FBI supervisory agent, helped arrange the voluntary handover of voting equipment and software for analysis.
Gabbard herself was not physically present during the Puerto Rico operation, though her office played a coordinating role.
Political Context Raises Concerns
The investigation has sparked debate because it appears to be part of a broader effort by officials linked to former President Donald Trump to revisit claims of voter fraud. These claims gained traction after Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, a loss Trump has repeatedly disputed without evidence.
Sources said this continued focus on election fraud has influenced several recent investigations, including one in Georgia last week. That operation involved an FBI raid on an election facility in Fulton County, where officials sought records related to the 2020 vote.
Gabbard’s presence during that raid has alarmed some national security experts, who argue that intelligence agencies may be crossing boundaries by getting involved in domestic election matters.
Who Has Authority Over Election Security?
Current and former US officials note that election security is usually handled by law enforcement agencies, not intelligence services. This distinction has led to criticism of ODNI’s role in these investigations.
Gabbard’s office defended its actions, saying it has legal authority to examine election-related threats, especially when foreign interference is suspected.
“ODNI has broad authority to analyze intelligence connected to election security,” a spokesperson said. “Given known risks of foreign and other malicious interference, the agency conducted a review of Puerto Rico’s electronic voting systems.”
Venezuela Allegations Remain Unproven
Despite official denials, the three sources told Reuters that the FBI team involved was investigating theories that Venezuela’s government, under President Nicolas Maduro, had interfered with US elections. These claims are popular among some Trump supporters but have not been supported by public evidence.
Venezuela’s government did not respond to requests for comment.
It is also worth noting that Puerto Rico’s residents are US citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections and do not have voting representation in Congress. This unique status has often made the island a subject of political and administrative challenges.
Local Leaders Push Back
Puerto Rican officials have pushed back strongly against claims of foreign election interference. Pablo José Hernández Rivera, a Democrat elected in 2024 as Puerto Rico’s non-voting representative in the US House, said election problems on the island are real but misunderstood.
“We have seen issues in how elections are managed,” he said. “But these problems come from incompetence and corruption, not foreign governments.
