A lawyer who played a key role in former President Donald Trump’s push to challenge the 2020 election results repeatedly urged a U.S. intelligence contractor to search for evidence of voter fraud in that race, according to two people familiar with the discussions.
Kurt Olsen, who worked closely with the 'Stop the Steal' movement after Trump’s defeat to Joe Biden, pressed Mojave Research Inc. — a contractor hired by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) — to go beyond its original assignment.
Mojave had been tasked with examining potential vulnerabilities in voting machines used during Puerto Rico’s 2024 elections. The work centered on security weaknesses that hackers or others could exploit, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.
Rather than staying focused on that limited goal, Olsen repeatedly asked the analysts to look for anything that might support long-standing claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential contest, one person with direct knowledge of the exchanges said.
"No one pulls off something like that alone. Those who helped — including any officials who turned a blind eye — have to be held accountable too.
— Source familiar with the conversations
Mojave, a Virginia-based firm with a history of AI-related work for ODNI, ultimately kept its review focused on ways to improve future election security rather than digging into the 2020 results.
The contract with ODNI ended in October 2025, though the exact reasons remain unclear. Reuters could not independently verify why the agreement was terminated.
An ODNI official said Olsen was not directly involved in the agency’s review of Puerto Rico’s voting equipment, but did not dispute his participation in broader discussions about election security.
Persistent Push on 2020 Claims
Olsen’s efforts reflect ongoing attempts by some in the current administration to find support for assertions that the 2020 election was stolen — claims that courts, state election officials, and multiple independent reviews have consistently rejected.
U.S. intelligence agencies are not permitted to conduct domestic political investigations. Both ODNI and the FBI have repeatedly stated there is no evidence of widespread fraud sufficient to change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
Puerto Rico Review and Shifting Focus
In spring 2025, ODNI hired Mojave to assess the security of voting machines used in Puerto Rico’s 2024 elections. The review came after public concerns about potential vulnerabilities in the systems.
Officials and law enforcement removed and examined the machines in May 2025. ODNI later described the equipment as having systems that were 'highly vulnerable to exploits,' though few details were made public.
Main Developments
Olsen, now working as a special government employee, had been involved in election security discussions before his formal appointment.
Mojave delivered its findings in July 2025, identifying software and security issues but finding no clear evidence to support claims of 2020 fraud.
The company also proposed a wider plan to strengthen national election infrastructure, though no implementation has been confirmed.
✓ Olsen urged contractor to expand beyond Puerto Rico scope
✓ Mojave declined to refocus on 2020 election
✓ Contract ended in October 2025
✓ ODNI denies Olsen’s direct role in Puerto Rico review
The president of the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission said the agency would cooperate fully with any appropriate state or federal inquiry.
Broader Implications
The reported exchanges highlight continued efforts by some in the Trump administration to revisit and substantiate claims of 2020 election fraud, despite repeated findings to the contrary by courts, election officials, and prior investigations.
Critics say involving intelligence contractors in domestic political questions risks misuse of government resources and further erodes public trust in independent agencies.
U.S. intelligence agencies are not authorized to engage in domestic politics.— ODNI official
It remains unclear whether these efforts will uncover new evidence or lead to any formal action. For now, they underscore the deep and ongoing political divide over the 2020 election and the limits of government authority in reexamining settled matters.
