Week Of Trump Reversals Puts 2018 Election Security In The Spotlight

Ballots in New York City ahead of the 2016 general elections. While U.S. election officials have made progress increasing security, gaps still remain.

Drew Angerer / Getty Images

With less than four months to go, how much are this year’s midterm elections at risk for the kind of interference sowed by Russia in 2016?

It’s a question that’s coming up again after President Trump’s seemingly shifting positions this week about Russia’s responsibility for the interference in 2016, and after special counsel Robert Mueller’s recent indictments of 12 Russian intelligence officers accused of hacking the Democratic Party and state election computer networks.

It would be “foolish” to think Russia is not trying to influence the 2018 elections, said Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen on Thursday at the Aspen Security Forum.