Donald Trump’s administration has increased efforts this summer aimed at undermining confidence in US elections, prompting voting experts to warn that the White House could seek to declare a national emergency to tighten federal control over election administration ahead of November’s midterms.

The White House and several federal agencies have published a series of documents, including disputed analyses alleging noncitizen voting and older intelligence material, as well as declassified memoranda tied to election security concerns. The releases have amplified hopes among election deniers that Trump may move to change the framework for how elections are run.

In a prime-time address in July, Trump again claimed that US elections were vulnerable to foreign manipulation and repeated his false assertion that the 2020 election— which he lost to Joe Biden—was stolen. His speech also triggered speculation from allies that a national emergency could be used to delegitimise any results in November.

Grounds For an Emergency

Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser, said in a podcast appearance on 29 July that the president would declare an emergency on national security grounds “to protect” elections. Bannon urged supporters to “block the last week of August” as a possible lead-up to such a move.

Trump’s response to a question about declaring a national security emergency for elections was notably non-committal. Asked earlier this month by Wayne Allyn Root whether he would do so, Trump did not rule it out, saying: “Stranger things have happened.”

Experts said any attempt to use an emergency declaration to override election rules would still face constitutional limits. No president has previously tried to invoke an emergency to take control of voting.

Ty Cobb, a former White House attorney and a critic of Trump, told PBS after the July speech that it appeared designed to establish a basis for declaring an emergency around the time of the elections. Cobb also argued that moves such as deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at polling stations could be intended to intimidate minority and immigrant voters and to set up attempts to seize voting equipment—an approach Trump sought in 2020 before then-attorney general Bill Barr said there was no legal basis.

Documents And Noncitizen Voting Claims

Following Trump’s July address, a White House “Government Transparency Task Force” began releasing declassified “election integrity” documents on the White House website. The group includes officials from the office of the director of national intelligence, the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

The first set of materials included intelligence memos describing alleged vulnerabilities in electronic voting machines, foreign access to state voter registration data and foreign digital manipulation strategies. Much of it has been publicly known before, and the material also reflected a US intelligence assessment that found no evidence Beijing altered the 2020 vote.

A week later, Trump and his allies seized on an announcement by Mikie Sherrill, the New Jersey governor, that 6,600 noncitizens had registered due to a software error. Less than 400 of those individuals voted, but the disclosure was used to bolster claims that large numbers of noncitizens appear on voter rolls.

On 31 July, the Department of Homeland Security issued a notice arguing that New Jersey’s administrative errors supported the need for standardised federal oversight. The taskforce also released documents related to a Michigan case in which the FBI investigated suspected fraudulent voter registrations by a get-out-the-vote organisation, with no criminal charges filed, and investigative material connected to a data scrape of voter information in Maricopa County, Arizona.

The pace of releases has accelerated. The taskforce published files tied to a Chinese intelligence investigation, including details about former Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell and Christine Fang. Separately, the US Census Bureau released a brief claiming it had identified 24,000 noncitizens voting in 2020 through a preliminary match of 128m records, without disclosing its methodology. David Becker of the Center for Election Innovation and Research said the analysis did not provide enough information and was criticised by democracy advocates.

Aria Branch, a partner at the Elias Law Group who previously led litigation blocking Trump’s election-related executive orders, said the administration was “searching for” a legal basis for an order. She argued that noncitizen voting is not a widespread problem and that the associated fear-driven narrative was unfounded. She also pointed to a July DHS analysis claiming 278,000 noncitizens are registered in federal elections, saying the agency did not explain its method, report confidence levels, or disclose that the identification tool is known to be inaccurate.

Trump Ally Networks And Legislative Pressure

Democratic members of Congress have also been preparing for possible executive actions, gaming scenarios that include AI-generated disinformation and ICE agents being sent to polling places. Progressive democracy organisations have similarly prepared for potential disruptions.

Earlier this year, questions were raised after Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s former director of national intelligence, appeared at an FBI raid in Fulton County, Georgia. Gabbard later told Congress she had been leading an investigation into foreign interference claims. She subsequently resigned on 30 June, after which Trump appointed Bill Pulte as acting replacement, a move criticised by both parties for his lack of intelligence experience. Jay Clayton later took the role permanently.

In parallel, Trump allies have pushed the Save America Act, which a White House spokesperson said would help ensure “Americans, and Americans only” decide elections. The proposal would require states to submit voter rolls for federal inspection, allow DHS to de-register people deemed ineligible, reduce mail-in voting and require documentary proof of citizenship to register, along with a narrow set of photo IDs to vote.

Asked about an executive order declaring an emergency to shape elections, the White House did not rule it out and declined to comment on hypotheticals.

Join the discussion?

24 August 2026

View full article

Trump is the national emergency.

When Donald Trump counts* the votes, Donald Trump wins! 🎖️

*He hires the guys with the little hats because they're good at counting money, I mean votes

Hasn't he been undermining the confidence in elections since 2020? But, if elections are so unreliable, and none of the rules he wants to change have yet been changed, then how do we know that he actually won the 2016 and 2024 elections?

Normally, when there's a doubt in something, it gets repeated. Why not repeat presidential elections to put this to rest? If he's as popular as he claims, he'll win in a landslide.

This is not an evidence‑based fraud investigation; it’s a political staging exercise.

A handful of clerical errors and unproven cases are being inflated into a national‑security narrative to justify federal control over elections.

The speed and sequencing of the releases suggest the administration is building a pretext, not presenting findings.

Where did this fiction come from?

2 minutes ago, Showtime said:

Where did this fiction come from?

From one of those left media comic strips, where else?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"declare a national emergency to tighten federal control over election administration ahead of November’s midterms."

To put it simply that is the only hope he has ,and it's all his fault ,but he would never admit that,

in an interview he stated , people are angry with the Republicans , BUT not with me .....really.

regards worgeordie

Not a day past without Trump breaking the law, creating havoc with the economy and making disastrous foreign policies. When will the Republican senators have the fortitude to confront him like their predecessors did confronting Nixon and force him to resign. That will be a patriotic thing to do and history will remember them as heros and not the cowardly sycophants enabling the demented lunatic to ruin America.

1 minute ago, Eric Loh said:

Not a day past without Trump breaking the law, creating havoc with the economy and making disastrous foreign policies. When will the Republican senators have the fortitude to confront him like their predecessors did confronting Nixon and force him to resign. That will be a patriotic thing to do and history will remember them as heros and not the cowardly sycophants enabling the demented lunatic to ruin America.

Not to worry!

Darline with an 'I" is gonna do whatever the Boss tells her to do.

Feeling better yet? 😂

"She is going to do really what the president wants”

-- The Boss, lining up his Nepotism Luckie Duckies

1 hour ago, Showtime said:

Where did this fiction come from?

<sigh> An expression about being ignorant of the past and thus being doomed to repeat it comes to mind. Or, as Faulkner wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

40 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Not a day past without Trump breaking the law, creating havoc with the economy and making disastrous foreign policies. When will the Republican senators have the fortitude to confront him like their predecessors did confronting Nixon and force him to resign. That will be a patriotic thing to do and history will remember them as heros and not the cowardly sycophants enabling the demented lunatic to ruin America.

Not a day goes by when a non USC thinks they’re an expert on America.

“Not a day past without Trump breaking the law”

What law has he broken this time? When will charges be filed? Court date???

Edited August 24Aug 24 by HolmesEquivelant

His speech also triggered speculation from allies that a national emergency could be used to delegitimise any results in November.

Or cancel them altogether. That was his obvious plan as soon as he sent his ICE agents onto the streets to incite protest. Maybe a test run?

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Democratic members of Congress have also been preparing for possible executive actions, gaming scenarios that include AI-generated disinformation and ICE agents being sent to polling places.

I'd pay cash money to watch the Dems and lefties react to that one.

I mean, if you're not breaking the law, why would you worry?

Trump once again using the Big Lie regarding the 2020 election, when the Big Lie has been proven time and again to be a lie. Once again Trump voting by mail, while condemning voting by mail, and illegally ordering the post office to thwart mail-in voting. Once again Trump spouting about election safety and integrity, while he is recorded demanding Georgia 'find' him more votes--he should be in jail right now for that alone. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress remain silent and spineless, and the Press not nearly agressive enough in confronting Trump and exposing his lies, illegal actions, and blatant corruption.

21 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

Not a day goes by when a non USC thinks they’re an expert on America.

“Not a day past without Trump breaking the law”

What law has he broken this time? When will charges be filed? Court date???

You too dumb to admit that he broke the law. I will help you out.

Campaign fund violation, tax fraud, obstruction of justice, solicitation to commit election fraud, failed disclosure of govt records and the big one inciting a rebellion. Just some for the Trump die-hards.

The reckoning will happen when both Houses fall to the Dems. Brace yourself.

4 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

You too dumb to admit that he broke the law. I will help you out.

Campaign fund violation, tax fraud, obstruction of justice, solicitation to commit election fraud, failed disclosure of govt records and the big one inciting a rebellion. Just some for the Trump die-hards.

The reckoning will happen when both Houses fall to the Dems. Brace yourself.

So now you’re deflecting from your latest statement which indicated CURRENTLY into his past entire history.

His latest convictions based on your latest accusations?????

And he’s still my President, not your Prime Minister.

He’s going nowhere and it drives you nuts for reasons I’ll never understand for a non USC.

24/7/365 in your head.

13 minutes ago, newnative said:

Trump once again using the Big Lie regarding the 2020 election, when the Big Lie has been proven time and again to be a lie.

It hasn't been proven over and over again. It's been squelched.

As yourself why the Dems have been fighting so hard to not release the voter roll data if there's nothing to see? Ask yourself why 3/4 of Americans want to require voter ID, but the Dems won't pass it? Then ask yourself why the DNC is broke without USAID grifting. And how a nice old lady living in a trailer donated thousands of times to the tune of $150K, but claims otherwise. That's ActBlue grift, BTW.

How about NJ, where the Dems just admitted that illegals voted? And how about the guy that was able hack the machines (in court, in Georgia) with a Bic pen and a $5 USB chip?

Then, 'splain to me why Hillary, just last week claimed once again that she was robbed in 2016...

Edit: And if you really want a hoot, watch James O'Keefe successfully "vouching for" a guy in a burka to vote.

Edited August 24Aug 24 by impulse

15 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

So now you’re deflecting from your latest statement which indicated CURRENTLY into his past entire history.

His latest convictions based on your latest accusations?????

And he’s still my President, not your Prime Minister.

He’s going nowhere and it drives you nuts for reasons I’ll never understand for a non USC.

24/7/365 in your head.

So you not defending those law violations but rather chose to pivot to insults. That's always your mo when you find hard to defend the indefensible. It is insulting to your intelligence to expect the corrupt DOJ and FBI to investigate his crimes. Release the Epstein files !!!

12 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

You too dumb to admit that he broke the law. I will help you out.

Campaign fund violation, tax fraud, obstruction of justice, solicitation to commit election fraud, failed disclosure of govt records and the big one inciting a rebellion. Just some for the Trump die-hards.

The reckoning will happen when both Houses fall to the Dems. Brace yourself.

Speaking of dumb.

“The reckoning will happen when BOTH HOUSES fall to the Dems”

We have one House of Representatives and one Senate.

While it has no bearing on you the Democratic Party is currently in a civil war. Half will most likely be jumping ship thanks to the DSA. They’re currently a mess.

I suppose I should give you a little credit for not wimping out and replying that you won’t reply to me anymore like @spidermike007 and @Lacessit did when I challenged them and proved their posts were not credible.

This super freak desperado would do absolutely anything to subvert justice and deny voters their right to choose a candidate of their choice. He's been stealing his whole life so it would be very comfortable for him to steal an election. Hopefully the people would not tolerate that kind of overreach.

5 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

Speaking of dumb.

“The reckoning will happen when BOTH HOUSES fall to the Dems”

We have one House of Representatives and one Senate.

Agree with your statement "speaking of dumb".

"Both houses refer to the two chambers of a bicameral legislature".

43 minutes ago, impulse said:

I'd pay cash money to watch the Dems and lefties react to that one.

I mean, if you're not breaking the law, why would you worry?

I'd pay money for a Trump popsicle for you to enjoy. If you believe Trump's is doing everything right, why worry 😆

Glass-Filled Popsicles Are the Perfect End to Pestilence Summer

And you thought the diarrhea lettuce was bad.

https://gizmodo.com/glass-filled-popsicles-are-the-perfect-end-to-pestilence-summer-2000800400

Edited August 24Aug 24 by SiSePuede419
Why worry support MAGA

4 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

So you not defending those law violations but rather chose to pivot to insults. That's always your mo when you find hard to defend the indefensible. It is insulting to your intelligence to expect the corrupt DOJ and FBI to investigate his crimes. Release the Epstein files !!!

1. Quote me on defending the law violations you’re accusing me of in my last post?

2. You’re still deflecting. Like you and the others always do when you have no legitimate reply.

3. FOCUS on the words of my last post. I know it’s hard, but try.

4. DOJ and FBI ? You had no issue with them during the Kangaroo Courts of Trump.

5. So, you have no CREDIBLE evidence or convictions to support your CURRENT accusations. Just the typical “I hate Trump” toxicity.

6. Quote the insults to you.

7. Now you bring the Epstein files into the conversation as another deflecting tactic.. Can you provide a logical reason why Biden didn’t release them during the ELECTION YEAR? After all , that could have been the downfall of Trump.

8. You’re making yourself look a fool, again .

9. I don’t expect an intelligent reply. I was correct as usual.

Edited August 24Aug 24 by HolmesEquivelant

17 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Agree with your statement "speaking of dumb".

"Both houses refer to the two chambers of a bicameral legislature".

In the UK? Not in America

1 hour ago, impulse said:

It hasn't been proven over and over again. It's been squelched.

As yourself why the Dems have been fighting so hard to not release the voter roll data if there's nothing to see? Ask yourself why 3/4 of Americans want to require voter ID, but the Dems won't pass it? Then ask yourself why the DNC is broke without USAID grifting. And how a nice old lady living in a trailer donated thousands of times to the tune of $150K, but claims otherwise. That's ActBlue grift, BTW.

How about NJ, where the Dems just admitted that illegals voted? And how about the guy that was able hack the machines (in court, in Georgia) with a Bic pen and a $5 USB chip?

Then, 'splain to me why Hillary, just last week claimed once again that she was robbed in 2016...

Edit: And if you really want a hoot, watch James O'Keefe successfully "vouching for" a guy in a burka to vote.

Good example here of how Trump, despite everything horrible he has done, despite all his serial lying, despite all his broken promises, despite all his total screw-ups, still manages to continue to sucker a percentage of Mr. P.T. Barnum's folk.

1 hour ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

Not a day goes by when a non USC thinks they’re an expert on America.

“Not a day past without Trump breaking the law”

What law has he broken this time? When will charges be filed? Court date???

Classic ignoratio elenchi: 'Where are the charges and court date?' is not a logical response to whether the conduct itself was unlawful.

And your own standard of proof gets rather awkward when your leader is already a convicted felon.

Apparently, logic and good faith aren't prerequisites for being a cult member.

4 hours ago, Showtime said:

Where did this fiction come from?

It came from Trump.

Trump was asked whether he would declare a national security emergency over elections. His answer: 'Stranger things have happened'.

And when discussing Ukraine’s wartime suspension of elections, Trump said 'Oh, that’s good' and talked about the possibility of the U.S. having no elections during a war.

Maybe time to take the keys from Grandpa.

So there was no fraud in either of the two elections he won.........wow!

That was lucky.......what were the chances?

When in power in 2020 Trump left his chances up to the electorate. He will not make that same mistake again.

Emperor Trump will not survive without his Congressional courtesan invertebrates.

Jan. 6 suggested violence and illegality are not out of the question.

Buckle up.