The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has designated two officials to lead coordinated efforts across U.S. intelligence agencies in monitoring and responding to foreign threats aimed at the 2026 midterm elections, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made the appointments as national security officials prepare for a new electoral cycle amid persistent foreign influence campaigns. The two officials are tasked with synchronizing intelligence collection, analysis, and briefings on election threats across agencies including the CIA, NSA, DHS, and FBI.
Background
Foreign interference in U.S. elections has remained a persistent concern since at least 2016, with state actors from Russia, China, Iran, and others employing a range of tactics — including social media manipulation, spear-phishing campaigns targeting election infrastructure, and information operations designed to undermine public confidence in electoral systems.
The 2026 midterm elections present a fresh attack surface. With over 400 congressional seats in play and dozens of gubernatorial contests, the elections represent a high-value target for adversaries seeking to shape U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
What the Coordination Role Involves
According to sources, the designated officials will:
- Integrate threat intelligence from across the IC (Intelligence Community) into unified election security briefings
- Serve as liaisons between federal agencies and state/local election officials
- Coordinate with CISA on protective measures for election infrastructure
- Track influence operations in near-real time across social media platforms and foreign-controlled media
The role mirrors coordination structures established before the 2020 and 2024 elections, though the specific officials and reporting chains may differ.
Context: ODNI and Election Security
The ODNI's role in election security has evolved significantly since 2016. The office now produces regular threat assessments and coordinates with the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC) to share threat intelligence with state and local election administrators.
Foreign adversaries have adapted their approaches over successive election cycles — moving from overt social media influence campaigns to more targeted operations against campaign staff, election workers, and political party infrastructure.
What to Watch
Security researchers and election officials will be paying close attention to:
- Spear-phishing campaigns targeting campaign staff and election officials
- DDoS attacks on voter registration systems and election night reporting sites
- Disinformation operations amplified through AI-generated content
- Ransomware targeting county-level election offices in the months leading up to November
The appointment signals the federal government is taking the threat seriously ahead of what promises to be a contentious electoral season.