WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric on U.S. election administration, urging Republicans to "nationalize" voting procedures and "take over" the process in at least 15 unspecified locations, while repeating long-debunked claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. The comments, made in early February 2026, come amid growing scrutiny over the Trump administration's actions related to election integrity investigations and as Republicans brace for potentially challenging midterm elections in November.
In a podcast interview released on February 2, 2026, with conservative commentator Dan Bongino—former deputy FBI director—Trump stated: "The Republicans should say, 'We want to take over.' We should take over the voting in at least many, 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting." He made the remarks while discussing alleged corruption in certain states and cities, claiming that without intervention, "Republicans will never win another election."
Trump doubled down on the idea the following day, telling reporters in the Oval Office that the federal government should "get involved" in states where elections "can’t be done properly and timely" or are marred by what he described as "corruption." In a separate NBC News interview aired February 4, he clarified that he would accept the 2026 midterm results "if the elections are honest," adding that if not, "then something else has to happen."
The U.S. Constitution's Elections Clause (Article I, Section 4) explicitly assigns primary authority over the "times, places and manner" of congressional elections to the states, with Congress empowered only to make or alter regulations. Legal experts have described Trump's proposal as constitutionally problematic. Justin Levitt, a Loyola Law School professor and former Obama and Biden administration official, told CNN: "The Constitution clearly says that states are the ones that do the running [of elections]. There is no debate about this." The decentralized system, Levitt noted, reflects the nation's federal structure and serves as a safeguard against centralized corruption.
Rick Hasen, an election law professor at UCLA, characterized the rhetoric and related administration actions as part of a strategy to "cast doubt on the validity of the upcoming elections." He warned that at worst, it could signal attempts to use federal authority to interfere in state-run processes ahead of the midterms.
Trump's comments have drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, some Republicans, and state election officials. California leaders, including Secretary of State Shirley Weber, vowed to resist any federal overreach, with some officials describing the proposal as an existential threat to state sovereignty. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) expressed opposition, with Paul calling the idea "blatantly unconstitutional."
The White House, through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, attempted to clarify that Trump was advocating for national voter ID requirements and federal legislation rather than direct takeover. However, Trump himself continued to emphasize federal intervention in "crooked" areas.
The remarks coincide with heightened federal activity on election matters. On January 28, 2026, FBI agents executed a search warrant at the Fulton County Election Hub in Georgia, seizing hundreds of boxes containing 2020 ballots, voter rolls, tabulator tapes, and related materials. The warrant, approved by a federal magistrate, cited potential violations of federal laws on election record preservation and false voter registrations. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was present during the raid at Trump's request and later defended her involvement by citing intelligence concerns over foreign exploitation of voting systems. Fulton County officials filed a motion seeking the return of the seized materials, arguing the action was unwarranted.
The Justice Department has also pursued lawsuits in approximately 20 states to access voting records, and the administration has repeatedly claimed—without evidence—that undocumented migrants vote illegally in large numbers.
Trump has continued to assert that the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden, was "rigged," despite more than 60 court rulings, multiple audits, and certifications by Republican and Democratic officials rejecting fraud claims. At the Davos forum in January 2026, he told world leaders: "It was a rigged election. Everybody now knows that. People will soon be prosecuted for what they did."
Allies like Steve Bannon have amplified the rhetoric, suggesting ICE could surround polling places in November to prevent alleged fraud. Critics, including the NAACP, have accused the administration of using "deplorable and unconstitutional antics" to exhaust opposition and undermine confidence in the electoral system.
Polls indicate low approval for Trump's second term, with Republicans facing losses in recent local races and potential congressional setbacks in November. Some observers view the nationalization push as an effort to preemptively challenge unfavorable outcomes.
Civil rights groups and election watchdogs have raised alarms about possible law enforcement or military involvement in polling sites, though no concrete plans have been confirmed. The League of Women Voters condemned the rhetoric as an attempt to "dismantle the integrity of the electoral system."
As midterms approach, Trump's statements have intensified debates over election security, federalism, and democratic norms. State officials and legal scholars continue to affirm that meaningful changes to election administration would require congressional action or constitutional amendment—neither of which appears imminent.
The administration maintains that its efforts aim to restore "honesty" and protect voters, but the combination of rhetoric, investigations, and legal challenges has heightened tensions ahead of what many view as a critical test of U.S. electoral resilience.
