According to a new report published Monday, October 20, a small group of national security officials has been secretly advising state governments and members of Congress on how to counter potential Trump administration attempts to interfere in the November 3 midterm elections. The bipartisan group includes about 10 current and former Defense Department officials, some with professional experience countering authoritarian regimes abroad. They are operating under the radar to help state leadership insulate local protocols from potential federal exploitation.