ACTIVE: Trump Rigging 2026 Midterm Elections
Trump is actively attempting to rig the 2026 midterm elections through:
- Conditional acceptance: Will only accept 2026 midterm results "if they are honest" - if not, "something else has to happen"
- Voter intimidation: Bannon calls for ICE to "surround the polls"; White House refuses to rule it out (illegal under federal law)
- Seizing voting machines: Gabbard's DNI illegally seized Puerto Rico machines (May 2025); FBI raided Georgia and seized 700 boxes of 2020 ballots (Jan 2026)
- Gabbard coordination: DNI personally called Trump during Georgia raid, illegally coordinated both operations
- Unconstitutional takeover: Publicly called to "nationalize voting" in 15 states (federal takeover of state elections)
- Bypass Congress: Threatened executive order to mandate voter ID "whether approved by Congress or not" - a federal judge already struck down his previous election EO as unconstitutional
- Installing loyalists at FBI and DOJ to coordinate raids and intimidation
- Purging oversight: Fired 17 IGs (ruled unlawful) to remove accountability mechanisms
This is election rigging happening in real-time.
⚖️ Election Rigging: A Documented Pattern
Last updated: February 13, 2026
From Attempted Coup to Federal Takeover: Trump's War on Democratic Elections
This page documents proven actions, direct statements, and ongoing attempts by Donald Trump to overturn, control, and rig American elections. Everything here is sourced from court documents, criminal indictments, witness testimony, recordings, or Trump's own words.
This is not speculation. This is a factual timeline showing an escalating pattern across three elections.
The Evidence
2020
The Coup Attempt
Tried to overturn election after losing
2024
Unresolved Questions
Pre-emptive fraud claims, no accountability
2026
Active Rigging
Rigging elections before votes are cast
Jump to Section
2020: The Coup Attempt
After losing the 2020 election, Trump attempted to overturn the results through a multi-pronged effort involving fake electors, pressure on state officials, attempted corruption of the Justice Department, and ultimately violence at the Capitol. Trump has been criminally indicted for these actions with extensive evidence documented in court filings.
What Trump Said
Trump's rhetoric laying groundwork for coup attempt and inciting violence
"Frankly, we did win this election... This is a fraud on the American public. This is an embarrassment to our country."
Trump declared victory while millions of votes remained uncounted. Began false "stolen election" narrative that would justify coup attempt.
Source: CNN
"So look. All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state."
Trump pressuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" votes to overturn Biden's victory. Full audio recording confirms Trump's pressure campaign.
Source: Washington Post (full recording)
"We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore. We're going to walk down to the Capitol."
Speech to crowd before Capitol attack. Trump directed mob to Capitol to stop electoral certification.
Source: NPR (full transcript)
"Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution."
Trump attacked Pence on Twitter while mob was storming Capitol. Rioters chanted "Hang Mike Pence" after this tweet. Pence had to be evacuated by Secret Service.
Source: Politico
"We love you, you're very special... I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace."
After 187 minutes of refusing to call off the mob, Trump finally released video praising the rioters who attacked the Capitol.
Source: BBC News
What Trump Did
Concrete actions Trump took to overturn 2020 election
The Fake Electors Scheme
What happened: Trump and his co-conspirators organized fake slates of electors in 7 states Biden won: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Evidence:
- False elector certificates were created and signed
- Fake electors met in state capitols on December 14, 2020
- Certificates sent to Congress claiming these were the "duly elected" electors
- Text messages, emails, and testimony document the coordination
Pressure Campaign on Vice President Mike Pence
Trump's scheme: Pressure Pence to refuse to certify electoral votes on January 6, 2021.
Evidence from Jack Smith indictment and testimony:
- Trump told Pence "You're too honest" when Pence refused to go along
- Trump tweeted attack on Pence while mob was storming Capitol
- Rioters chanted "Hang Mike Pence" after Trump's tweet
- Pence had to be evacuated by Secret Service
- Trump showed no concern for Pence's safety during attack
The Attack on the Capitol
What happened:
- Trump directed mob to Capitol: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol"
- Mob breached Capitol building for first time since 1814
- 5 people died, 140+ police officers injured
- Members of Congress evacuated, electoral certification delayed
- Trump watched on TV for 187 minutes, refused to call off mob
- Eventually told rioters "We love you, you're very special"
Filed 60+ Lawsuits to Overturn Election
Trump and his allies filed over 60 lawsuits in state and federal courts challenging election results.
Result: Lost virtually every case, including before Trump-appointed judges.
Legal/Court Response
How courts and legal system responded to Trump's coup attempt
Legal Accountability Overview
⚖️ Federal Indictment by Special Counsel Jack Smith
4 felony counts related to attempting to overturn 2020 election:
- Conspiracy to defraud the United States
- Conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding
- Obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding
- Conspiracy against rights
Indictment details fake elector scheme, pressure on Pence, January 6.
⚖️ Georgia RICO Indictment
13 felony counts in Georgia for election interference:
- 18 co-defendants indicted in conspiracy
- Includes "Find 11,780 votes" phone call
- Includes fake electors scheme in Georgia
- Multiple defendants have pleaded guilty and are cooperating
⚖️ Second Impeachment
Impeached by House for "incitement of insurrection"
- 232-197 vote (10 Republicans voted yes)
- Acquitted by Senate 57-43 (fell short of 67 needed)
- 7 Republican senators voted to convict
"There is no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day."
— Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
📋 January 6 Committee Findings
- 845-page final report with extensive evidence
- Testimony from Trump's own staff and officials
- Documented Trump's 187 minutes of inaction during attack
- Criminal referrals to DOJ for Trump
- Committee conclusion: Trump engaged in "multi-part conspiracy" to overturn election
✅ 60+ Court Cases: Trump Lost Virtually Every One
Notable judicial quotes:
"Charges require specific allegations and proof. We have neither here."
— Federal judge, Pennsylvania
"This Court has allowed plaintiff the chance to make his case and he has lost on the merits."
— Federal judge, Wisconsin
"Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so."
— Federal appeals court
Expert Assessment
What experts said about Trump's 2020 coup attempt
Election Officials
"The 2020 election in Georgia was not stolen. We counted the votes three times. Every allegation has been investigated and disproven. These continued attacks undermine confidence in our democratic process."
"The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history... There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised."
Legal Scholars
"This was an attempted coup. Trump tried to overturn a democratic election through pressure, fraud, and ultimately violence. It's the most serious threat to American democracy since the Civil War."
Former Trump Officials
"We realized from the beginning it was just bullshit... There was never an indication of interest in what the actual facts were."
"This is a Reichstag moment. The gospel of the Führer."
Democracy Experts
"Trump's incitement of the invasion of the Capitol on January 6, 2021 removes my objection to the fascist label. His open encouragement of civic violence to overturn an election crosses a red line."
The 2020 Bottom Line
Trump attempted a coup. When the voters rejected him, when state officials refused to change results, when courts threw out his cases, when his own Vice President refused to go along—Trump incited a violent mob to attack the Capitol to stop the peaceful transfer of power.
He has been criminally indicted for these actions. The evidence is overwhelming. This is not opinion—this is documented fact.
2024: Unresolved Questions
Trump never accepted accountability for 2020. He continued pre-emptive fraud claims throughout 2024 campaign, won the election, and immediately stopped claiming fraud. The pattern revealed: Elections are only "rigged" when he loses. The lack of accountability for 2020 enabled 2026 escalation.
What Trump Said
Trump's pre-emptive fraud claims during 2024 campaign
"Christians, get out and vote, just this time. You won't have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what? It'll be fixed. It'll be fine. You won't have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians."
Trump told Christians they "won't have to vote anymore" after this election. Suggested elections would be "fixed" after he wins.
Source: CBS News
"If I lose, I will tell you what. It's possible because they cheat. That's the only way we're going to lose, because they cheat."
Pre-emptive claims that any loss would be due to cheating, laying groundwork to contest results if he lost.
Source: CNN transcript
"Because they cheat, that's the only way we're going to lose because they cheat."
Repeated pre-emptive fraud claims days before election. Pattern: if he loses, it's "rigged."
Source: CNN transcript
"A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution."
Trump explicitly called for terminating the Constitution to overturn the 2020 election he lost.
Source: Truth Social post
What Trump Did
Trump's actions during 2024 campaign
Systematic Pre-Emptive Fraud Claims
Trump repeatedly claimed throughout 2024 campaign:
- "If I lose, it was rigged"
- "The only way we lose is if they cheat"
- "They're already cheating in Pennsylvania"
- Claimed mail-in ballots were fraudulent (despite no evidence)
Won 2024 Election, Fraud Claims Stopped
Trump won 2024 presidential election. All fraud claims immediately ceased. No complaints about mail-in ballots, voting machines, or fraud.
This reveals the pattern: Trump only claims fraud when he loses. When he wins, suddenly the same systems he called "rigged" are perfectly legitimate.
No Accountability for 2020 Coup Attempt
Despite criminal indictments, Trump:
- Never accepted responsibility for January 6
- Continued to claim 2020 was "stolen"
- Praised January 6 rioters as "patriots"
- Promised to pardon them if re-elected
- Faced no electoral consequences (won 2024)
Legal/Court Response
How legal system handled Trump's accountability during 2024
Criminal Cases Delayed
Federal and state criminal cases for 2020 election interference were significantly delayed:
- Jack Smith federal case: Delayed by Trump's immunity appeals
- Georgia RICO case: Delayed by procedural challenges
- No trials before 2024 election
⚖️ Supreme Court Grants Broad Presidential Immunity
Supreme Court ruled presidents have immunity for "official acts" in Trump v. United States.
Impact: Significantly complicated prosecutions of Trump for acts taken while president, including January 6.
Expert Assessment
What experts warned about during 2024
Democracy Experts
"The pre-announcement that an election will be fraudulent if you lose is a classic authoritarian tactic. It's the big lie in advance. If there are no consequences for January 6, it will happen again, but worse."
"Trump is telling us exactly what he plans to do: eliminate the need for future elections. When an authoritarian tells you their plans, believe them."
Legal Scholars
"The Supreme Court's immunity decision gives Trump a road map to authoritarianism. Combined with lack of accountability for January 6, we're in unprecedented danger."
The 2024 Pattern
Trump spent 2024 pre-emptively claiming fraud if he lost. When he won, fraud claims stopped. The pattern is unmistakable: Trump believes elections are legitimate only when he wins.
More critically: The lack of accountability for the 2020 coup attempt emboldened Trump to escalate his election rigging tactics in 2026. Without consequences, authoritarians escalate.
2026: Active Rigging
This is happening right now. Unlike 2020 (attempting to overturn after losing), Trump is attempting to rig the 2026 midterms before votes are even cast. This is documented, real-time election rigging through federal law enforcement, unconstitutional takeover attempts, and systematic dismantling of oversight.
What Trump Said
Trump's stated intentions for 2026 elections
"We should take over the voting in at least — many, 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting."
Trump on Dan Bongino Show: Publicly called for Republicans to "nationalize voting" and federally take over elections in 15 states. Named Detroit, Philadelphia, and Atlanta as "extremely corrupt" (all Democratic-leaning cities, provided no evidence).
Constitutional violation: The U.S. Constitution (Article 1, Section 4) explicitly grants states, not the federal government, the power to control elections. This is an unconstitutional federal takeover attempt.
Source: Washington Post | The Independent
"I will, if the elections are honest. If the elections aren't honest, then something else has to happen."
Trump to NBC's Tom Llamas: When asked if he would accept 2026 midterm results, Trump said he would only accept them "if the elections are honest." This is pre-emptive fraud claim - setting up to reject results if Republicans lose.
In same interview, Trump lied about using the word "nationalize": Claimed "I didn't say 'nationalize'" despite being recorded saying "The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting" three days earlier.
Pattern: Trump only accepts elections "if they are honest" = only if he wins. 2020: Lost, claimed fraud. 2024: Won, no fraud claims. 2026: Setting up fraud claims if Republicans lose midterms.
Source: The Independent | ABC News
"If Democrats don't want voter ID, if they don't want voter ID, that means they want to cheat. We can't allow cheating in elections."
Trump deflecting from his "nationalize" comments by claiming Democrats "want to cheat." This from the man who asked Georgia Secretary of State to "find" 11,000+ votes in 2020 and incited January 6 insurrection.
Source: The Independent
Steve Bannon: "You're damn right we're going to have ICE surround the polls come November"
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: "I can't guarantee that an ICE agent won't be around a polling location in November."
Illegal voter intimidation plan: Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon called for ICE to "surround the polls" during November 2026 midterms. When asked, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt refused to rule it out, saying she "can't guarantee" ICE won't be at polling locations.
ILLEGAL: Federal and state laws prohibit federal law enforcement agents from patrolling polling places. The intent is clear—suppress voter turnout through intimidation, particularly targeting immigrant families and minority voters. Senator Bernie Sanders called Trump a "demagogue" and "authoritarian" moving the country in a "very, very dangerous direction."
Sources: The Hill | Democracy Docket | Newsweek
[Trump gave "pep talk" to FBI agents who raided Georgia election office]
After FBI raided Fulton County elections office, Trump personally spoke to agents on speakerphone from FBI Atlanta office, praising and thanking them for raiding an election office in a county he lost.
Legal concern: Trump's direct contact with investigators may taint future prosecutions. President personally coordinating with agents raiding election offices is unprecedented.
What Trump Did
THESE ACTIONS ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW
FBI Raids Georgia Elections Office - Tulsi Gabbard Present, Calls Trump During Raid
January 28: FBI raided Fulton County (Atlanta) elections office
- Seized 700 boxes of 2020 ballots, tabulator tapes, voter rolls, ballot images
- Based on Trump's false claims about 2020 fraud in Georgia
- DNI Tulsi Gabbard physically present at raid (unprecedented)
- Gabbard used her cellphone to call President Trump while FBI agents were executing the warrant (per congressional letter)
- Gabbard's presence illegal: DNI prohibited by law from domestic law enforcement
January 29: Trump personally coordinated with FBI agents
- Trump ordered Gabbard to travel to Atlanta for the raid
- Gabbard arranged phone call between Trump and FBI agents
- Trump spoke to agents on speakerphone from FBI Atlanta office
- Praised and thanked agents for raiding election office
- Officials described it as a "pep talk" or "pep rally"
Separation of powers violation: Direct presidential communication during FBI raid suggests minimal separation between DOJ actions and White House political direction. Gabbard calling Trump during execution of warrant is unprecedented breach of independence.
Raid affidavit remains sealed: The specific justification for the raid has not been disclosed. The search warrant affidavit remains sealed, leaving the supposed legal basis unclear.
Trump's stated intent: Trump previously expressed regret about not activating the National Guard to seize voting machines in 2020. The Georgia raid demonstrates he's now using federal law enforcement to do what he wanted to do then.
Gabbard's DNI Office Illegally Seizes Puerto Rico Voting Machines - Claims 'Venezuela Hacking,' Finds No Evidence
What happened: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's office obtained Puerto Rico voting machines and investigated them for alleged Venezuelan hacking.
The operation:
- US Attorney in Puerto Rico, Homeland Security Investigations, and FBI "facilitated voluntary turnover" of voting hardware and software to ODNI
- Three Reuters sources confirmed: Goal was to investigate claims Venezuela had hacked Puerto Rico voting machines
- No evidence found of Venezuelan interference or hacking
- Gabbard's office later denied Venezuela connection, claimed focus was "cybersecurity vulnerabilities"
- ODNI claimed "extremely concerning" vulnerabilities but provided no detailed evidence
Legal problem: DNI has no authority over domestic election infrastructure
- Domestic election security is handled by law enforcement and states, not intelligence community
- Senator Mark Warner: "Absent a foreign nexus, intelligence agencies have absolutely no lawful role in domestic election administration"
- Warner: "This is exactly the kind of overreach Congress wrote the law to prevent"
- Former senior US intelligence official: "This is well beyond what ODNI has the authority or expertise to do"
- Election experts: ODNI's hands-on role in election infrastructure "unprecedented"
Why Puerto Rico? Puerto Rico doesn't vote in presidential elections. Possible explanations:
- Testing ground for seizing voting machines before targeting states
- Less political power to resist federal overreach
- Foreign interference claims more plausible for territory
- Establish precedent for machine seizures elsewhere
Pretextual justification: Claimed foreign interference (Venezuela) to justify domestic election seizure. Investigation found no evidence of foreign hacking, revealing the Venezuela claim was pretext for illegal seizure of voting machines.
Pam Bondi Grants Missouri Prosecutor Nationwide 2020 Election Investigation Authority
Attorney General Pam Bondi granted a Missouri prosecutor special authority to investigate 2020 election matters nationwide—far beyond Missouri's jurisdiction.
Significance: Creates roving federal prosecutor focused on Trump's 2020 election grievances, expanding investigation of already-adjudicated election claims nationwide.
Minnesota: DOJ Conditions Federal Agent Withdrawal on Voter Data
AG Pam Bondi conditioned withdrawal of federal agents from Minnesota on the state providing sensitive voter data to the Trump administration.
The extortion: Federal law enforcement presence used as leverage to extract state voter information—classic authoritarian tactic of using state power for political objectives.
Georgia Legislature Passes Law Allowing State Control of Fulton County Elections
In 2021, Georgia lawmakers (Republican-controlled) approved legislation allowing the state legislature to take control of elections in Fulton County—the Democratic stronghold where Trump lost and later pressured officials to "find" votes.
Pattern context: State-level groundwork laid in 2021. Federal-level raids and takeover attempts happening now. Multi-year, multi-level strategy to control Georgia elections.
Republican Voter Suppression Agenda for 2026 Midterms
GOP-controlled states advancing coordinated voter suppression measures targeting 2026 midterms:
- Eliminating no-excuse absentee voting - Forcing in-person voting despite pandemic precedent
- Ending automatic voter registration - Adding barriers to voter registration
- Shortening early voting periods - Reducing voting access windows
- New certification disruption rules - Blocked by courts in 2024, being retried in 2026
DOJ Sues 23+ States for Voter Rolls Including Sensitive Personal Data
Trump's Department of Justice filed lawsuits against 23 states plus Washington D.C. demanding they turn over complete voter registration lists including highly sensitive personal information.
Specific data demanded (per Arizona Secretary of State):
- Full names and home addresses
- Social Security numbers (partial or complete)
- Mothers' maiden names
- Date and month of birth
- Tribal ID numbers (targeting Native American voters)
- Driver's license information
- Complete voting history
California alone: DOJ sought "the names, social security numbers, home addresses, voting history and other sensitive information of nearly 23 million Californians."
State officials' response: Multiple states refused, citing state laws that prohibit sharing confidential voter data with federal government under penalty of felony conviction.
"This administration is weaponizing law enforcement across the board and in this case for the purpose of satisfying the president's obsession with his 2020 election loss."
— Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes
"No means no. We should not be handing over any of our personal identifying information to the president. It's against the law for me to fulfill the request from the Department of Justice."
— Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (February 2026)
Executive Order Attempting to Control State Elections (Blocked by Courts)
Trump issued sweeping executive order attempting to control state election procedures, including requiring citizenship proof for federal voter registration.
Fired 17 Inspector Generals (Ruled Unlawful)
Trump fired 17 Inspector Generals across federal agencies in coordinated purge of independent oversight.
Why this enables election rigging: IGs provide oversight of DOJ and FBI. Removing them allows Trump loyalists at FBI/DOJ to conduct election interference (like Georgia raid) without independent accountability.
Legal/Court Response
How courts and legal system are responding to Trump's 2026 rigging attempts
⚖️ Federal Judge Rules IG Firings Unlawful
Federal Judge rules Trump's firing of 17 Inspector Generals violated federal law. Court orders immediate reinstatement and back pay.
⚖️ Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Voter Roll Lawsuit, Calls It "Unprecedented and Illegal" Threat to Democracy
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter (California) dismissed DOJ lawsuit seeking voter data from 23 million Californians, calling the government's request "unprecedented and illegal."
Judge Carter's ruling:
"The taking of democracy does not occur in one fell swoop; it is chipped away piece-by-piece until there is nothing left. The case before the Court is one of these cuts that imperils all Americans. The erosion of privacy and rolling back of voting rights is a decision for open and public debate within the Legislative Branch, not the Executive."
Judge Carter wrote that DOJ sought "the names, social security numbers, home addresses, voting history and other sensitive information of nearly 23 million Californians."
Legal significance: Court dismissed case outright without leave to amend—signal that DOJ's legal theory is fundamentally flawed, not fixable with revised arguments.
Oregon: District judge indicated he was tentatively planning to dismiss similar lawsuit there.
⚖️ Federal Courts Block Election Executive Order
Federal courts blocked Trump's March 2025 executive order attempting to federalize election procedures.
Courts ruled citizenship proof requirement unconstitutional. Multiple judges cited separation of powers and federalism concerns.
📋 States Refuse Federal Takeover Attempts
Multiple states refusing to comply with DOJ voter roll demands and federal interference:
- Arizona refused voter roll demands
- California resisting federal pressure
- Multiple states citing state sovereignty
- Fulton County filing lawsuit over FBI raid
Expert Assessment
What experts are saying about Trump's 2026 election rigging attempts
Election Officials
"This administration is weaponizing law enforcement across the board and in this case for the purpose of satisfying the president's obsession with his 2020 election loss. This is election interference."
"These raids on election offices are unprecedented and dangerous. This is not how democracies function."
Former Officials
"She [Gabbard] is once again demonstrating her utter lack of fitness for office by injecting the nonpartisan intelligence community into a domestic political stunt."
Democracy Experts
"The Fulton County raid should set alarm bells ringing about Trump's willingness to abuse the power of his office to undermine free and fair elections in 2026 and 2028. Trump had previously expressed regret about not activating the National Guard to seize voting machines in 2020. This demonstrates a troubling willingness to weaponize presidential authority against electoral processes."
"The last time he started talking like this, his allies minimized the risks and we ended up with Jan 6. This time we must take him literally and seriously. These comments are a five-alarm fire for democracy."
"This is the autocrat's playbook: Use state power to rig elections before they happen. We're watching democratic backsliding in real-time."
"The Georgia raid is pre-rigging. They're not waiting to lose and then contest—they're seizing control of the election apparatus before votes are cast. This is how democracies die."
The 2026 Escalation
2020: Trump tried to overturn an election after losing.
2026: Trump is trying to control elections before votes are cast.
This is not about Trump believing elections are rigged. This is about Trump rigging elections.
The coup didn't work, so he's trying a different approach: Use federal power to seize control of election systems before there's anything to overturn. If he controls who counts the votes, who oversees the elections, and who certifies the results—he doesn't need a coup. He just needs to call it an election.
Why This Matters
Immediate Stakes: What's at Risk Right Now
The 2026 midterm elections are at immediate risk. If Trump succeeds in federalizing control over elections, intimidating state officials into compliance, and weaponizing the FBI to raid and seize election materials, the midterms will not be free and fair.
Consequence: Without fair midterms, there will be no congressional oversight. No investigations. No accountability. Trump will have unchecked power for the remainder of his term, and the precedent for rigging future elections will be established.
This is happening right now. The Georgia raid happened in January 2026. The "nationalize voting" statement was February 2, 2026. This is not a future threat—it's a present reality.
Long-Term Implications: Where This Leads
If Trump successfully rigs the 2026 midterms, the precedent is set for permanent election control:
- 2028 presidential election will be under federal control Trump established
- State officials who resist will face FBI raids, DOJ lawsuits, presidential attacks
- Election results will depend on who Trump puts in charge, not who voters choose
- Democracy becomes democracy in name only—elections happen, but outcomes are predetermined
This is how democracies die: Not through dramatic coups, but through gradual capture of election systems disguised as "election security" and "fraud prevention."
Historical warning signs: Every country that lost democracy saw these patterns—leader claims elections are rigged when they lose, attempts to overturn results, attacks independent judiciary, weaponizes law enforcement, and ultimately takes control of election systems. Trump's actions check every single box.
What Can Be Done
- Stay Informed: Follow election protection organizations like Protect Democracy, Fair Fight, and state-level election integrity groups
- Contact Representatives: Demand congressional action to stop federal election takeover attempts. Support legislation protecting state control of elections.
- Support Election Officials: Stand with state and local election officials resisting federal pressure. They're on the front lines defending democracy.
- Document and Share: Make others aware of what's happening. Share evidence, not speculation. Use credible sources.
- Legal Support: Support organizations like ACLU, Brennan Center, and state attorney generals challenging illegal federal actions
- Vote: While we still can, participation in elections remains crucial. High turnout makes rigging harder.
The choice is clear: Either state officials, courts, Congress, and citizens resist Trump's election takeover attempts, or American democracy ends not with a bang, but with a takeover disguised as "election security."
History will judge which path we chose. And history will know we saw it coming.