Trump Calls for Republican Takeover of Election Administration Ahead of 2026 Midterms

Former President Donald Trump on Monday pressed Republican officials to assume greater control over election procedures, asserting that the party should “take over” and “nationalize” voting in several states before the 2026 midterm elections. The remarks were delivered during an interview with former FBI Director Dan Bongino, who recently returned to podcasting after resigning his post in December.

Trump claimed that ballots cast by non-citizens were influencing results, contending that Republicans have not responded forcefully enough. “The Republicans should say, ‘We want to take over,’” he told Bongino, suggesting that the party control election administration in “at least” 15 states. He maintained that some states are “so crooked” in the way they count votes, though he offered no evidence to substantiate the allegation.

Under the U.S. Constitution’s Elections Clause, power to conduct federal elections rests primarily with state legislatures, subject to laws enacted by Congress. (See the clause’s text at Congress.gov.) Trump did not outline how Republicans could “nationalize” voting without running afoul of this constitutional framework.

White House Response

Questioned by reporters about Trump’s comments, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the former president remains “deeply concerned” about election security. She referenced the proposed SAVE Act, which would establish a nationwide photo-identification requirement, ban no-excuse mail voting, and prohibit ballot collection by third parties—measures the administration argues would create uniform standards across states.

Democratic Criticism

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the chamber’s top Democrat, denounced Trump’s remarks on the Senate floor. Schumer contended that the former president’s suggestion to nationalize elections disregards constitutional limits, characterizing the idea as “outlandishly illegal.” He questioned whether Trump “believes in democracy” and offered to provide him with a copy of the nation’s founding document.

Midterm Stakes

The 2026 midterms will decide all 435 House seats and 35 of the 100 Senate seats. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers, and the outcome could determine the viability of Trump’s legislative agenda should he pursue another term. Historically, the president’s party often loses ground during midterm cycles, a dynamic that could threaten the GOP’s control.

Seeking to bolster their chances, Republicans last year pushed for mid-decade redistricting to secure additional House districts. During a closed-door session in January, Trump warned Republican lawmakers that a failure to retain control could expose him to renewed impeachment efforts.

Focus on Georgia Records

Trump continues to contest his 2020 defeat, repeating assertions of widespread fraud. Those claims resurfaced last week when the FBI executed a court-authorized search at the Fulton County Elections and Operations Hub in Georgia, a pivotal state that President Joe Biden carried in 2020. Agents collected original 2020 voting records as part of an ongoing investigation.

Imagem: Internet

In Monday’s interview, Trump predicted “interesting things” would emerge from the seized documents. Election experts, however, note that state and federal audits have consistently found no evidence of systemic fraud in Georgia or elsewhere.

Legal and Practical Barriers

Under current law, states administer voter registration, ballot distribution, and vote counting. Any federal effort to centralize those activities would require congressional action and could face legal challenges from states asserting their constitutional authority. Experts also point out that non-citizen voting in federal elections is already illegal and extremely rare, a conclusion supported by studies from both academic institutions and the federal government.

Despite the constitutional constraints, Trump’s call resonates with segments of the Republican base that remain skeptical of election integrity. Recent polling indicates that a sizable share of GOP voters believe the 2020 election was flawed, a sentiment Trump has repeatedly amplified. His latest comments may intensify pressure on Republican lawmakers to pursue national legislation aimed at tightening voting rules.

Next Steps

No Republican leaders have publicly endorsed Trump’s specific proposal to “take over” elections, though several have advocated for stricter identification requirements and limits on absentee voting. Any comprehensive attempt to alter election administration would require passage by both chambers of Congress and the president’s signature, or sufficient support to override a veto—an outcome considered unlikely given the current political divide.

For now, states will continue preparing for the 2026 midterms under existing laws. Primary contests are expected to begin next spring, and election officials are simultaneously updating voter rolls, testing ballot-tabulation systems, and refining security protocols. The debate over federal versus state control of elections, however, is likely to remain a central issue as campaigning intensifies.

Crédito da imagem: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters