The Department of Homeland Security is currently embroiled in a significant legal battle, pressed to address a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request concerning its involvement with a Pennsylvania task force aimed at countering purported "election threats." This initiative, unveiled by Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro through a press statement on February 29, was positioned as a mechanism to disseminate reliable election information and neutralize potential election-related hazards.
The request for information about this collaboration with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) by the Center to Advance Security in America (CASA) was acknowledged by the Department of Homeland Security. Yet, according to litigation documents exclusively acquired by the Daily Caller News Foundation, there has been a lack of subsequent communication or document provision from CASA, a segment of DHS.
This FOIA petition by CASA traced back to revelations in March by The Federalist indicating Shapiro's administration's cooperation with CISA within this task force framework—a detail omitted in Shapiro’s initial announcement. James Fitzpatrick, the Director of CASA, emphasized their aim to scrutinize communications concerning the Pennsylvania Election Task Force's inception. This body purportedly aims at curbing election discourse deemed as ‘misinformation’. Despite federal regulations requiring responses to FOIA requests within 20 working days, as per National Archives guidelines, CISA’s silence has prompted CASA to seek judicial intervention. They demand that DHS be ordered to furnish the requested documents promptly.
The urgency highlighted by Fitzpatrick stems from the impending elections now only 80 days away, stressing the public's right to access these communications regarding a task force potentially equipped to censor election-linked speech within America's key battleground state. Through its lawsuit, CASA seeks immediate compliance from DHS with existing legislation for transparency.
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Governor Shapiro had outlined that this multi-agency task force would facilitate threat mitigation strategies for the electoral process and counter voter intimidation while ensuring voters receive trustworthy information on elections. He also underlined efforts towards establishing coherent strategic communications between public entities for identifying and neutralizing election threats.
Moreover, Shapiro introduced an online platform designed for 'fact-checking' assertions related to state electoral procedures. However, censorship concerns re-emerged starkly post-June when Supreme Court decisions lifted previous injunctions that restricted government entities like CISA from influencing social media firms over content moderation on critical subjects including COVID-19 policies and electoral integrity.
These developments followed incidences during the 2020 presidential race where notable accounts were suspended by Twitter for circulating reports about Hunter Biden’s laptop contents—reports initially dismissed as Russian misinformation but later verified as authentic. Such incidents fueled accusations from Republicans against Democratic allies within intelligence circles and media outlets of censorship and spreading ‘misinformation’, pointing out that sufficient voters in pivotal states might have altered their vote if aware of these facts.
As this legal challenge unfolds, it underscores profound tensions surrounding freedom of speech, governmental transparency, and electoral integrity ahead of crucial electoral contests.
The request for information about this collaboration with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) by the Center to Advance Security in America (CASA) was acknowledged by the Department of Homeland Security. Yet, according to litigation documents exclusively acquired by the Daily Caller News Foundation, there has been a lack of subsequent communication or document provision from CASA, a segment of DHS.
This FOIA petition by CASA traced back to revelations in March by The Federalist indicating Shapiro's administration's cooperation with CISA within this task force framework—a detail omitted in Shapiro’s initial announcement. James Fitzpatrick, the Director of CASA, emphasized their aim to scrutinize communications concerning the Pennsylvania Election Task Force's inception. This body purportedly aims at curbing election discourse deemed as ‘misinformation’. Despite federal regulations requiring responses to FOIA requests within 20 working days, as per National Archives guidelines, CISA’s silence has prompted CASA to seek judicial intervention. They demand that DHS be ordered to furnish the requested documents promptly.
The urgency highlighted by Fitzpatrick stems from the impending elections now only 80 days away, stressing the public's right to access these communications regarding a task force potentially equipped to censor election-linked speech within America's key battleground state. Through its lawsuit, CASA seeks immediate compliance from DHS with existing legislation for transparency.
Get the latest, most crucial news stories on the web – sent straight to your inbox for FREE as soon as they hit! Sign up for WayneDupree.com Email News Alerts in just 30 seconds!
Governor Shapiro had outlined that this multi-agency task force would facilitate threat mitigation strategies for the electoral process and counter voter intimidation while ensuring voters receive trustworthy information on elections. He also underlined efforts towards establishing coherent strategic communications between public entities for identifying and neutralizing election threats.
Moreover, Shapiro introduced an online platform designed for 'fact-checking' assertions related to state electoral procedures. However, censorship concerns re-emerged starkly post-June when Supreme Court decisions lifted previous injunctions that restricted government entities like CISA from influencing social media firms over content moderation on critical subjects including COVID-19 policies and electoral integrity.
These developments followed incidences during the 2020 presidential race where notable accounts were suspended by Twitter for circulating reports about Hunter Biden’s laptop contents—reports initially dismissed as Russian misinformation but later verified as authentic. Such incidents fueled accusations from Republicans against Democratic allies within intelligence circles and media outlets of censorship and spreading ‘misinformation’, pointing out that sufficient voters in pivotal states might have altered their vote if aware of these facts.
As this legal challenge unfolds, it underscores profound tensions surrounding freedom of speech, governmental transparency, and electoral integrity ahead of crucial electoral contests.
