Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as debate grows over federal control of US elections.
US President Donald Trump has renewed attacks on America’s electoral system, calling for federal control of elections as the country heads toward high-stakes midterm polls later this year.
Trump, who continues to reject his 2020 election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden, said elections in some states should be taken over by the federal government, arguing that local authorities cannot be trusted to run them fairly.
“The Republicans should say, ‘We want to take over the voting,’” Trump told conservative podcaster Dan Bongino. “The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting.”
His remarks have triggered sharp criticism from Democrats and constitutional experts, who warn that such a move would violate the US Constitution and further weaken public trust in democracy.
Rising political stakes
Trump’s comments come as Republicans face the possibility of losing control of Congress in the November midterm elections. Recent opinion polls show declining approval ratings for Trump, now serving a second term, while the party has suffered setbacks in several local races.
Despite repeated court rulings rejecting claims of widespread voter fraud, Trump has continued to argue that elections are “rigged” and that federal intervention is necessary.
“I don’t know why the federal government doesn’t do them anyway,” Trump told reporters at the White House this week.
In a separate interview with NBC News, he alleged that “some areas in our country are extremely corrupt” and suggested that alternative measures may be needed if elections are not conducted “properly and timely.”
Constitutional concerns
Legal scholars say the proposal has no constitutional basis.
“The Constitution clearly says that states are the ones that do the running of elections,” said Justin Levitt, a law professor at Loyola Law School and former adviser to the Obama and Biden administrations. “There is no debate about this.”
Experts note that decentralised election management is designed to prevent abuse of power and reduce the risk of national-level manipulation.
Trump, however, has shown no sign of backing down. He has repeatedly claimed the 2020 election was stolen, despite court rulings and official audits confirming its legitimacy.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Trump told global leaders that “people will soon be prosecuted” over the 2020 vote.
READ ALSO
- Trump Calls for Federal Control of US Elections
- Israel Charges 12 Smugglers of Goods in Wartime
- WHO Says 40% of Global Cancer Cases Are Preventable
Federal pressure on states
In recent weeks, federal authorities have stepped up actions linked to past elections. The FBI seized hundreds of boxes of ballots and election materials in Georgia as part of a renewed investigation into Trump’s 2020 loss in the state.
The operation was overseen by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, raising questions about the role of federal intelligence agencies in domestic election matters.
The Justice Department has also filed lawsuits in around 20 states seeking access to voting records. Trump’s administration has alleged, without evidence, that undocumented migrants are voting illegally in large numbers.
Fears of election interference
Critics say these actions risk undermining confidence in the 2026 elections.
“This is part of a broader strategy to cast doubt on the validity of upcoming elections,” said Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. He warned that federal power could be used to interfere with state-run voting processes.
Civil rights groups have also raised alarm. The NAACP accused the administration of trying to wear down public resistance through “unconstitutional antics.”
Some of Trump’s allies have gone further. Steve Bannon, a close Trump adviser, suggested immigration agents could be deployed around polling stations in November — comments that have intensified fears of voter intimidation.
With months to go before Americans vote, Trump’s renewed push to reshape election control has deepened political divisions and raised fresh questions about the future of US democracy.
About the Author
