Mullin made the remarks at the White House one day after President Donald Trump devoted much of a nationally televised address to election security. The administration has continued urging states to adopt federal voter verification measures and share election-related data as part of its broader election integrity agenda.

Legal scholars and election experts, however, say many of the administration’s proposed actions could face significant legal challenges because the U.S. Constitution gives states primary responsibility for administering elections. Federal courts have also repeatedly limited the federal government’s authority to compel states to provide voter information.

“We absolutely can build confidence in the American people, but the states have to do their part,” Mullin said.

Trump has continued to question the integrity of the 2020 presidential election despite court rulings, recounts and reviews by election officials—including members of his first administration—that found no evidence of widespread fraud sufficient to change the outcome. Mullin said Friday that the administration’s current efforts are focused on strengthening future elections rather than revisiting the 2020 contest.

Administration Highlights Voter Registration Concerns

Mullin repeated Trump’s claim that federal authorities had identified roughly 250,000 noncitizens on voter registration rolls in California, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Election experts have questioned how those figures were calculated, noting that public records are often incomplete or outdated and cannot reliably determine an individual’s citizenship status on their own.

Election officials in California and Pennsylvania said they would review any information provided by federal authorities while emphasizing that they already conduct routine voter list maintenance. They also noted that documented cases of noncitizen voting remain rare, a conclusion supported by multiple studies.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state would continue defending its election system, while Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar said election officials regularly review voter registration records to maintain accurate voter rolls.

Mullin also said the Department of Homeland Security plans to expand investigations into illegal voting and encouraged states to participate in the department’s revised Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, program.

The administration has promoted the expanded SAVE program as a tool for verifying citizenship during voter registration reviews. Since April 2025, at least 25 states have used the system while federal officials continue encouraging broader participation.

Courts Continue to Scrutinize Federal Election Efforts

The administration’s expanded use of the SAVE program has already encountered legal obstacles.

A federal judge recently blocked portions of the initiative after raising concerns about privacy protections and the possibility that eligible voters could be mistakenly removed from voter registration lists.

David Becker, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research, said courts have consistently rejected federal efforts requiring states to surrender sensitive voter information.

Congress has also yet to approve the federal SAVE Act, which would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. The legislation remains stalled in the Senate, where Republicans lack enough votes to overcome procedural hurdles without Democratic support.

Cybersecurity Strategy to Be Updated

Mullin also echoed Trump’s concerns about vulnerabilities in electronic voting systems.

Election officials have long acknowledged cybersecurity risks but say multiple safeguards protect election integrity, including paper ballots, equipment testing, post-election audits and physical security measures.

Mullin said the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will release an updated election infrastructure strategy within the next 30 days and continue providing cybersecurity assistance to participating states.

However, the agency’s election-related activities have been scaled back during Trump’s second term. The administration has reviewed CISA’s election programs, placed several election-focused employees on leave and reduced funding for cybersecurity initiatives that previously supported state and local election officials.

Aguilar said Nevada has strengthened its own election security efforts as federal assistance has declined.

Debate Over Federal and State Authority Continues

The administration’s latest election initiatives have renewed debate over the federal government’s role in elections that are primarily administered by the states.

Supporters argue stronger voter verification measures will improve public confidence in elections, while critics contend that states already maintain safeguards and that expanded federal involvement could exceed constitutional limits.

As preparations for the 2026 midterm elections continue, disputes over voter registration, election security and federal oversight are expected to remain at the center of the national political debate.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Election Security | Voter Registration | Homeland Security | Midterm Elections | Federal Authority | Cybersecurity | Election Administration

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Public Health Information Removed from Federal Websites

Multiple government agency websites containing crucial public health information on HIV, LGBTQ+ health, reproductive rights, and diversity initiatives were taken down as of Friday evening. The move follows executive orders from President Donald Trump targeting gender ideology and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

What Was Removed?

According to officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), key terms such as “pregnant people,” “chestfeeding,” “diversity,” “DEI,” and references to gender and health equity were flagged for removal.

Among the affected pages and databases:

HIV Data & Risk Information – CDC pages detailing HIV diagnosis rates, infection breakdowns by race and gender, and risk assessments for various sexual behaviors.
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System – A national survey tracking teenagers’ health habits and gender identity data.
HIV Risk Reduction Tool – An interactive resource for users to evaluate the risk of certain sexual behaviors.
Reproductiverights.gov – A website providing resources on reproductive healthcare and abortion access.
FDA’s “Minority Health and Health Equity” Page – Information focused on health disparities in minority communities.

Rushed Efforts to Preserve Data

Researchers and advocacy groups scrambled to archive as much data as possible before the websites went offline. Several public health experts expressed concern over the loss of critical health information used by medical professionals, educators, and the public.

Will the Pages Return?

Officials at HHS and the CDC suggested that some pages may be reinstated after their language is revised to comply with the new executive orders. However, it remains unclear which pages, if any, will return.

For now, much of the CDC’s previous HIV-related content has been replaced with a single, simplified page titled “About HIV.”

Trump Responds: “It Doesn’t Sound Like a Bad Idea”

When asked in the Oval Office on Friday whether government websites were being taken down for review, Trump did not deny the action:

“I don’t know – it doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me,” Trump said.
“DEI would have ruined our country, and now it’s dead. So, if they want to scrub the website, that’s OK with me. But I can’t tell you.”

Trump’s executive order on DEI called for the elimination of related policies within the federal government. Another order, titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” directed agencies to recognize only two sexes: male and female.

Deadline for Website Removals

A memo sent to HHS officials on Wednesday instructed agencies, including the CDC, to remove “all outward-facing media (websites, social media, etc.) promoting gender ideology” by 5 p.m. on Friday.

What’s Next?

With federal agencies now enforcing these executive orders, public health experts warn of potential consequences, particularly for marginalized communities relying on government resources for healthcare, prevention strategies, and reproductive rights information.

For now, researchers and advocacy groups continue their efforts to document and preserve lost information while awaiting further clarification from government agencies.

Source

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President Trump has issued an executive order prohibiting gender transition treatments for individuals under the age of 19, citing concerns over the long-term consequences of such procedures.

Key Points of the Executive Order:

• The order claims that medical professionals are performing irreversible procedures on minors under the “radical and false claim” that gender transition can change a child’s sex.
• It asserts that many children later regret undergoing these treatments, realizing they have been permanently altered and may face lifelong consequences, including infertility and the inability to breastfeed.
• The order warns that those who undergo gender transition as minors may suffer from ongoing medical complications, leading to significant financial and physical burdens throughout their lives.
• As a result, the policy declares that the U.S. government will not fund, promote, assist, or support gender transition procedures for minors and will enforce all laws restricting such treatments.

Government Actions Ordered:

• The executive order directs the U.S. Health Secretary to take comprehensive action to halt gender transition procedures for minors.
• This includes implementing regulatory and sub-regulatory measures to end what the order refers to as the “chemical and surgical mutilation” of children.

The order marks a significant policy stance, reinforcing federal opposition to gender transition treatments for minors and signaling stricter enforcement of existing laws against these procedures.

Source

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