Trump Calls for Republican “Takeover” of Election Administration in Contentious Remarks

President Donald Trump stirred controversy Monday by calling for Republicans to “nationalize” and “take over” voting in at least 15 unspecified locations across the country, further amplifying his persistent claims of widespread election fraud that have been repeatedly debunked.

In a podcast interview with Dan Bongino, a former FBI deputy director who recently left the bureau, Trump made the contentious remarks while discussing his views on electoral integrity. “These people were brought to our country to vote, and they vote illegally,” Trump claimed, referring to immigrants. “And you know, amazing that the Republicans aren’t tougher on it.”

Trump expanded on this assertion, saying, “The Republicans should say, we want to take over. We should take over the voting, the voting in at least many, 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting.” While making these statements, the president failed to specify which locations he was referring to, but added: “We have states that are so crooked and they’re counting votes. We have states that I won that show I didn’t win.”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests to clarify the president’s statements, which stand in direct conflict with the U.S. Constitution that explicitly gives states and local jurisdictions the authority to conduct elections.

The remarks quickly drew criticism from across the political spectrum. Republican Representative Don Bacon publicly opposed Trump’s suggestion, writing on social media platform X: “I opposed nationalizing elections when Speaker Pelosi wanted major changes to elections in all 50 states. I’ll oppose this now as well.”

Michigan Department of State spokesperson Cheri Hardmon issued a firm response, stating: “The U.S. Constitution puts states in charge of elections, not the federal government. That’s the law.”

Trump’s comments come at a particularly sensitive time, just days after the FBI conducted a search of an election office in Georgia’s Fulton County for 2020 election records. This search is part of ongoing investigations related to the 2020 presidential election, which Trump continues to claim was marred by fraud despite these allegations being consistently rejected by courts, state governments, and even members of his own former administration.

Adding to the controversy, the New York Times reported that Trump spoke directly with FBI agents by cellphone the day after the raid during a meeting they had with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. This direct contact between the president and law enforcement officials investigating matters potentially related to his claims represents a significant departure from established norms that typically maintain separation between the White House and ongoing investigations.

The timing of Trump’s remarks is particularly significant as the United States approaches the November midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress for the next two years. Election security and administration have become increasingly contentious issues in American politics following the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot.

Election law experts note that any attempt to federalize or partisan-control election administration would require significant legislative changes and likely face constitutional challenges. The U.S. electoral system has historically operated through a decentralized approach with state and local officials managing elections according to state laws, while following federal guidelines for fairness and accessibility.

Trump’s calls for Republican control of election processes in select jurisdictions raise concerns about partisan interference in what has traditionally been a nonpartisan administrative function, potentially undermining public confidence in electoral processes at a time when trust in democratic institutions already faces significant challenges.