Donald Trump's efforts to control the election process in the United States have failed. This week, the U.S. Department of Justice lost in over 20 legal cases and was unable to collect voter data. Disturbing reports from whistleblowers indicate illegal attempts to access voter rolls and rushed actions to disrupt mail-in voting.
Countering Trump's Efforts
The Supreme Court of the United States blocked Trump's latest attempt to change mail-in voting laws this week. This unconventional action was concerning for election officials, who feared that these changes could mistakenly disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters and give postal workers unprecedented powers to determine who can vote.
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Voting rights advocates and election officials expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court's recent intervention, but Trump's statements indicate that he is not simply giving up. This legal battle is just one aspect of Trump's broader efforts to maintain control of his party, otherwise he may lose control of Congress in the final years of his presidency.
Potential Consequences of Declaring a State of Emergency
David Becker, head of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, told reporters, "The President seems to be extremely anxious and in a state of panic about the upcoming elections. If you were a confident president of your party, you would have more calm in the electoral process, and this wouldn't be happening." Trump has not ruled out the possibility of declaring a national emergency, and officials are not dismissing the idea of using federal forces or the National Guard at polling places.
From now until election day, a "wave" of rhetoric from the Trump administration is expected to increase. Becker predicted, "We would be foolish not to expect this voice to get louder and louder." Following Trump's recent defeat in the Supreme Court, his supporters are calling for him to take control of the elections.
Right-wing analyst Wayne Allen Root advised Trump to declare a national emergency to implement the stalled SAVE America Act, stating, "There is no other option."
Declaring a state of emergency to send forces to polling places is designed to "create a false impression of chaos" and will face immediate court challenges and political backlash that Republicans are likely unable to withstand.
Becker added, "This action will not last despite all the White House controversies. Armed forces, armed men, and ICE agents will not be at polling places. This will not happen. If anyone in the federal government is foolish enough to violate federal law... this action will be quickly stopped by the courts."
Legal Threats and New Investigations
Days before the Supreme Court ruling, the Department of Justice sent threatening letters to at least 30 election officials across the country, warning states that they are currently "under investigation" and subject to "ongoing lawsuits" for access to election records.
Mark Weinmola, Secretary of Homeland Security, has also called for a federal investigation into Becker's group, a non-governmental coalition of election experts. Becker has strongly responded to Mola's accusations, but election conspiracy theorists and Trump supporters have gathered to call for new investigations and attacks against the Electronic Registration Information Center.
The Department of Homeland Security has also asked U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employees to illegally introduce themselves in voter search tools to identify non-citizens who have registered illegally. These actions have been reported by an anonymous whistleblower. The agency has not confirmed these efforts but stated that this work is being done "accurately and professionally."
Despite the chaos stemming from the Trump administration, election officials and their supporting groups remain confident in the security, freedom, and fairness of American elections. However, Trump's ongoing attacks on voting rights pose a risk of creating confusion among voters, including his own supporters.
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Source: independent.co.uk
