Trump Calls for Nationalizing US Elections Ahead of 2026 Midterms
Former President Donald Trump has suggested that Republicans should move to “nationalize” the administration of elections in the United States, specifically citing the upcoming 2026 midterm elections as a critical focal point. During a recent interview with conservative commentator Dan Bongino, Trump argued that the federal government should “take over” voting processes in select areas, explicitly singling out Philadelphia, Detroit, and Atlanta as jurisdictions requiring federal intervention.
Proposal for Federal Control
In his conversation with Bongino, Trump stated, “The Republicans should say, ‘We want to take over.’ We should take over the voting… in at least many, 15 places.” He further elaborated that the Republican Party “ought to nationalize the voting,” claiming without evidence that certain states are “so crooked” in their vote-counting procedures. The proposal marks a significant escalation in rhetoric regarding election administration, moving beyond calls for stricter voter ID laws to suggesting a direct federal seizure of local election machinery. Trump’s comments appear to signal a potential policy priority for his political allies as they prepare for the 2026 congressional races, where control of both the House and Senate will be at stake.
Constitutional and Legal Objections
Legal experts and lawmakers have raised immediate objections to the proposal, citing the U.S. Constitution’s clear delegation of election authority. Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution, known as the Elections Clause, grants state legislatures the primary power to prescribe the “Times, Places and Manner” of holding elections for Senators and Representatives. While Congress has the authority to alter these regulations, the executive branch does not possess the unilateral power to “take over” state election systems. Constitutional scholars argue that any attempt by a president or political party to nationalize election administration would likely violate principles of federalism and state sovereignty. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has previously indicated that federalizing elections is a “constitutional issue,” suggesting that even some Republicans may resist such a move.
Background on Election Administration
The United States currently operates under a decentralized election system, where thousands of individual counties and municipalities manage voting independently under state laws. This structure is designed to prevent a single point of failure or centralized manipulation. Philadelphia, one of the cities specifically targeted in Trump’s comments, has frequently been the subject of his criticism. following the 2020 election, multiple investigations, audits, and court rulings found no evidence of widespread fraud in Philadelphia or Pennsylvania. City officials have consistently defended the integrity of their bipartisan election boards, noting that the decentralized nature of the current system actually enhances security by making large-scale rigging logistically impossible.
Political Implications for 2026
The push to nationalize elections appears to be linked to broader legislative goals, such as the SAVE Act, which seeks to mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration. By framing state-run elections as “agents for the federal government,” proponents of nationalization argue that federal oversight is necessary to ensure “honesty.” However, critics view the rhetoric as a strategy to delegitimize future election results in Democratic strongholds. With the 2026 midterms approaching, the debate over federal versus state control of elections is expected to intensify, potentially becoming a central theme in campaign platforms and congressional maneuvering.
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