Heather Honey, a conservative election researcher known for spreading false claims about voter data and supporting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, has been appointed as the deputy assistant secretary for election integrity at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Honey has led election research groups like Haystack Investigations and Verity Vote, which have produced flawed reports claiming voter irregularities, including false claims about mail ballots in Pennsylvania, and her analyses have been used by former President Trump and his supporters, notably in the events leading up to the January 6 Capitol attack.

Her organization, Verity Vote, claimed in 2022 that Pennsylvania sent 250,000 unverified mail ballots, a claim disputed by state officials who clarified the classification process of mail ballots.

Her role at DHS involves leading policy development and strategic planning related to election security, although specific responsibilities remain unclear.

Her appointment follows a series of rollbacks to election security programs initiated during Trump’s first term, which have significantly diminished DHS’s capacity to safeguard election systems.

Her appointment marks a significant shift, as this role did not exist under President Joe Biden, reflecting the current administration's acceptance of election conspiracy theorists and a broader trend of integrating such figures into government.

Her appointment signifies a move towards embracing election conspiracy theories within federal agencies, with her role not existing under the previous administration of Biden.

Her appointment has raised concerns about the DHS’s credibility, especially as the agency has shifted away from working with election security experts and has been seen as endorsing false election claims.

Experts warn that DHS may be using its power to spread disinformation rather than combat it, undermining election security and public trust, with critics describing Honey as not a serious auditor.

Honey’s promotion comes amid broader efforts by Trump’s administration to influence election processes, including attempts to restrict mail ballots, voting machines, and demands for voter lists that raise privacy concerns.

Her appointment occurs amid reports that Trump’s administration has engaged with election conspiracy theorists like Mike Lindell and Seth Keshel, indicating a shift towards politicized election oversight.

Honey, a Pennsylvania-based activist linked to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, has been involved in lawsuits challenging voting procedures and has participated in partisan election audits criticized for bias.

Her responsibilities likely include coordinating responses to foreign election interference and evaluating election security, although the exact scope remains unclear.