Trump Administration Accused of Targeting Elections with Disinformation and Prosecution Threats

In an unprecedented assault on electoral integrity, President Trump’s administration has intensified efforts to undermine the American democratic system through a series of concerning actions targeting election officials and processes, according to multiple reports and analyses.

Recent developments show the administration attempting to exert unprecedented control over the electoral system. Earlier this year, Trump issued Executive Orders directing the independent Election Assistance Commission to implement proof of citizenship requirements for federal voter registration forms—a move that federal courts subsequently blocked as exceeding presidential authority. Similarly, his threats to restrict states’ mail-in voting options directly challenge constitutional boundaries of federal power.

The Department of Justice has shifted focus dramatically under Trump’s direction, moving away from its traditional role of protecting voting rights toward investigating widely debunked voter fraud allegations. This repurposing of the DOJ has raised alarms among constitutional scholars and civil rights advocates.

More troubling are recent indications of using the justice system against political opponents. New York Attorney General Letitia James faces bank fraud charges, while former FBI director James Comey has been indicted for perjury. Former national security adviser John Bolton now confronts multiple counts related to national defense information. Senator Adam Schiff is reportedly under investigation for mortgage fraud, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The administration has also targeted former officials who refused to support election fraud claims. Chris Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security official, both face investigation after publicly affirming the 2020 election’s legitimacy.

These actions align with broader patterns of replacing expertise with political loyalty throughout the executive branch. Heather Honey, now DHS’s top election integrity official, recently used an official call with state election officials to discuss debunked claims about rigged voting machines in 2020. She has suggested that the president could declare a national emergency to impose new election rules on state and local governments.

Kurt Olsen, a former Trump campaign lawyer involved in 2020 “stop the steal” efforts, has been appointed as a special government employee to investigate alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election. Reports indicate Olsen began by requesting election information from intelligence agencies and had previously encouraged Trump to make “legal demands before Election Day” regarding voting machine data preservation in battleground states.

Political analysts note these actions mirror recommendations from Project 2025, a controversial policy blueprint. The administration has already implemented several of its proposals, including cutting funding to CISA and demanding access to state DMV and voter roll data from at least 39 states.

The DOJ has also deployed election monitors to counties in California and New Jersey, ostensibly focusing on “transparency” and “ballot security” rather than protecting voters’ rights. In Passaic County, New Jersey—which voted for Trump in 2024 after years as a Democratic stronghold—this monitoring came at the direct request of county Republicans ahead of a crucial upcoming gubernatorial race.

Civil rights organizations warn these tactics appear designed not just to reexamine 2020 results but to cast doubt on future elections, particularly as midterms approach. With the president’s approval ratings showing 54% disapproval and Congress at 79% disapproval, experts suggest election denialism could resurface if Republicans perform poorly in upcoming contests.

Public response has been substantial. October saw approximately 2,700 “No Kings” rallies nationwide, reportedly drawing 7 million participants in what organizers called the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history. Recent polling indicates significant public concern, with 45% of respondents in one survey “strongly agreeing” that Trump represents an authoritarian threat. Between 54% and 69% of Americans believe the president has exercised executive powers excessively, according to multiple polls.

As these tensions continue to unfold, election integrity advocates emphasize the importance of civic engagement, including voting in upcoming local, state, and midterm elections, attending town halls, and remaining vigilant against misinformation and disinformation in public discourse.