Nielsen: Trump Has Directed Me to Secure Elections

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told NBC’s Peter Alexander that President Trump has ordered her to assist state officials in securing U.S. election systems heading into the 2018 midterms.

Nielsen asserted that Russia will attempt to interfere in the 2018 election, but it may not rise to the level of 2016 operations.

The NBC reporter asked if Trump had ordered Nielsen to help state governments secure election infrastructure.

“Yes,” she responded. “We have had meetings with the president. We have another coming up.”

The DHS chief told Alexander that the department is playing a “supportive role” and letting states take the lead on security.