Trump again calls for federal intervention in elections amid criticism
Source: USA Today
Updated Feb. 3, 2026, 7:16 p.m. ET
President Donald Trump called for the federal government to "get involved" in overseeing elections as his talk of nationalizing the voting process generates bipartisan pushback and alarms critics worried about the fairness of future contests.
Asked during a Feb. 3 White House event attended by GOP lawmakers what he meant by comments he made on a podcast with Dan Bongino about nationalizing voting, Trump said: "I want to see elections be honest, and if a state can't run an election, I think the people behind me should do something about it."
The president repeated his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was "rigged" and pointed to places where he alleged "horrible corruption on elections," saying "the federal government should not allow that. The federal government should get involved. These are agents of the federal government to count the votes."
States have the authority under the Constitution over "the times, places, and manner" of federal elections. State and local authorities administer voting, though the Constitution gives Congress the power to "make or alter" election rules.
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/03/donald-trump-elections-nationalize-voting-thune-schumer/88497102007/
REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143610313
truddy777
(88 posts)Calling for nationalized elections feeds into mistrust, but it clashes directly with the constitutional structure of federalism.
Lovie777
(22,216 posts)IcyPeas
(25,129 posts)https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/ivanka-trump-trademarks/

bucolic_frolic
(54,428 posts)He wants to Stop the Clock when his team is ahead.
JohnnyRingo
(20,625 posts)We all want transparency in government, but this ploy is plain as day.
"You have the right to vote, and we have the right to do the counting"
Harker
(17,543 posts)I'd bet there are many DUers who could predict them with great accuracy.
OldBaldy1701E
(10,602 posts)Botany
(76,662 posts)Article I, Section 4, Clause 1: Constitution
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
BumRushDaShow
(166,994 posts)Escape
(402 posts)try to turn this into a serious discussion.
Should we allow Donald Trump to appoint a group of people to decide election outcomes?
Seriously, this will now be presented on news programs as a legitimate question.
BumRushDaShow
(166,994 posts)They are ALREADY doing crap like that in the news media, i.e., stuff like -
as if it is some kind of legitimate thing they want to "teach" people about.
They ALL do shit like that with their "follow the leader" identical lazy-ass ChatGPT-generated headlines.
Thankfully they reduced the use of the parroted "Can he do that? It's complicated" nonsense.
Baitball Blogger
(51,884 posts)that he won in the last election where there were far more votes than people.
Botany
(76,662 posts)Funny how Musks Ballotpedia Doge Boys were able to work on voter d-base files in all the swing states
states and then Peter Thiels Palantir ran digital janitor program that did not flip or delete votes but
hid some of the evidence that is exactly what happened. In Hillarys 2016 run, in Ohios Senate races in
2022 & 2024, and in Kamalas 2024 race there was all kinds of under votes where people showed up
and voted but skipped voting for President and or Senate in Ohio.
https://thiswillhold.substack.com/p/how-did-43598-of-voters-cast-ballots