In accordance with an executive order, DHS released the “Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Program Status Report Sept. 3 detailing ongoing efforts to shore up and defend the nation’s power grid from attack.
“EMP weapons have the potential to disrupt unprotected critical infrastructure within the US and could impact millions over large parts of the country,” a DHS press release states.
President Donald Trump signed EO 13865 in March 2019, in which he ordered certain federal agencies to begin coordinating so they could develop “national resilience” plans “and security standards for U.S. critical infrastructure as a national priority,” the release stated. And thus far, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and others have already “taken key actions to address known EMP-related vulnerabilities to critical infrastructure.”
But that said, the threat of an EMP attack is more prevalent and sophisticated now than in 2014 when then-National Security Agency chief Adm. Mike Rogers warned nations including China and “probably one or two other” countries were quickly developing the capability.
“EMP attacks are part of the emerging threats against our nation and demand a response,” said acting DHS Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli. “That is why DHS is taking these contingencies very seriously, working diligently to mitigate our risks and equipping our state and local partners with the resources they need to do the same. We’ve made significant progress and look forward to the work ahead.”
“As the Nation’s risk advisor, one of CISA’s priorities is understanding and mitigating threats associated with EMPs,” added Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) Director Chris Krebs. “Over the past year, we have worked with interagency and industry partners to identify the footprint and effects of EMP threats across our National Critical Functions, and are developing sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective approaches to improving the Nation’s resilience to EMPs.”
The fact that this report and DHS’ acknowledgement of it comes less than two months ahead of national elections is significant for several reasons.
First and foremost, there are already predictions of chaos and cheating surrounding mail-in ballots which are not likely to be completely counted by the end of election day.
Also, in June Attorney General William Barr said “foreign actors” were involved in fomenting much of the violence we have been witnessing throughout the summer in our biggest cities — unrest that is not abating and in fact may even be accelerating.
Finally, the visceral hatred for President Trump among his detractors in the Deep State could even lead to a real coup attempt and even civil war thanks to the likelihood Democrats are going to try to steal this election using phony ballots and lawsuits.
Throw into all of this an EMP attack or some sort of cyber assault on our power grid and the U.S. would very quickly collapse into a cauldron of violence and death.
And don’t think it’s not possible.
China has also become the world’s leading supplier of transformers – the “spine” of electricity grids -- according to a 2014 U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) report. This also presents significant challenges to U.S. grid security.
For economic and security reasons, the United States should no longer purchase transformers and other electric grid equipment manufactured in China. It is important to end relationships that U.S. utilities have directly with Chinese businesses and multi-national companies manufacturing transformers in China.
In fact, President Trump signed another EO in May to wean the U.S. off Chinese-made grid components. But that’s not going to happen before Nov. 3, when Americans vote.
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