Trump Weighs Troops, Federal Agents at Polls in 17 States as RNC Launches Election Push
Updated
Updated · Democracy Docket · May 12
Trump Weighs Troops, Federal Agents at Polls in 17 States as RNC Launches Election Push
2 articles · Updated · Democracy Docket · May 12
Trump said Tuesday he would not rule out sending troops, National Guard units or federal agents to polling places in the November midterms, saying he would do “anything necessary” to ensure “honest elections.”
The remarks came after a reporter asked specifically about National Guard and ICE deployments, sharpening concerns that federal law-enforcement or military personnel could appear at voting sites.
The same day, the Republican National Committee said it would spend millions of dollars on an “election integrity” effort across 17 states ahead of the midterms.
Trump has already said he wants the federal government to “take over” the midterms, and administration allies have kept the idea alive; acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended sending ICE officers to polling places in March.
With federal law unclear on some agents at polls, what new rules could prevent voter intimidation during midterms?
How can voter confidence be maintained when federal security plans conflict with state-level election data?
If federal agents and state officials clash at a polling place, who has the final legal authority?