DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin at a Friday press conference said election officials that don’t make changes based on “information they need to secure their elections” will be held accountable.

By Doina Chiacu and AJ Vicens WASHINGTON, July 17 (Reuters) - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin threatened state officials with fines and criminal charges on Friday if they do not comply with election security measures,

The Trump administration is escalating its attacks on election officials in key battleground states, with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin doubling down Friday on claims that hundreds of thousands of non-citizens are illegally registered to vote – claims that the agency has quietly acknowledged aren’t fully vetted.

Experts are questioning Trump's claim that 250,000 noncitizens are registered to vote, citing flawed methodology.

Former Federal Election Commission Chairman Trey Trainor said after President Donald Trump’s primetime address on election integrity that declassified documents should be used to ensure election security going forward.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Friday threatened state election officials with possible prison time if they don’t comply with Trump administration methods to determine whether noncitizens are on voter rolls.