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Trump Calls for Republicans to “Nationalize” Voting in 15 Locations, Repeating False Fraud Claims
President Donald Trump has called for Republicans to “nationalize” and “take over” voting in at least 15 unspecified locations, once again pushing his debunked claims that U.S. elections are compromised by widespread fraud.
In a podcast interview with former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino on “The Dan Bongino Show,” Trump made the controversial statement without providing specific details about what such a takeover would entail or which locations he was targeting.
“These people were brought to our country to vote, and they vote illegally,” Trump said, referring to immigrants. “And you know, it’s amazing that the Republicans aren’t tougher on it.”
He continued, “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 Trump did not specify which locations he meant, he 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 remarks, which directly challenge the constitutional framework that places election administration under state and local jurisdiction.
Trump’s comments quickly drew criticism from within his own party. U.S. Representative Don Bacon, a Republican, responded 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 statement emphasizing the constitutional division of powers: “The U.S. Constitution puts states in charge of elections, not the federal government. That’s the law.”
The timing of Trump’s remarks is significant, coming just days after the FBI searched an election office in Georgia’s Fulton County for 2020 records. This search takes place against the backdrop of Trump’s continued insistence that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent, despite these claims having been repeatedly rejected by courts, state governments, and even members of his former administration.
In a departure from typical protocol, the New York Times reported that Trump spoke with some of the FBI agents by cellphone the day after the raid during a meeting they had with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Such direct communication between a president and FBI field agents conducting an investigation represents an unusual break from established law enforcement norms designed to maintain independence.
The U.S. electoral system has historically operated as a decentralized process, with each of the 50 states maintaining authority over how elections are conducted within their borders. This decentralization has long been viewed by election security experts as a strength of the American system, creating thousands of separately administered elections that are more difficult to compromise than a single nationalized system would be.
Trump’s call for Republicans to “take over” voting in certain locations comes as the country prepares for the upcoming November midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress for the next two years. These elections are particularly consequential as they will shape the legislative landscape for the remainder of the current presidential term.
Election administration has become increasingly politicized in recent years, with numerous states passing new voting laws following the contested 2020 election. Supporters argue these measures enhance election integrity, while critics contend they create unnecessary barriers to voting that disproportionately affect certain communities.
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10 Comments
As an investor in mining and energy companies, I’m more interested in policies that support responsible resource development than partisan battles over voting. I hope leaders can find common ground on election integrity.
These are bold claims that deserve scrutiny. I’ll be looking to authoritative, non-partisan sources to understand the facts around voting integrity and potential reforms. Sensational rhetoric is unhelpful.
I’m a bit skeptical of the former president’s assertions. Significant, credible evidence of widespread fraud has not been presented. Promoting unproven claims could undermine faith in democratic processes.
Agreed. We should be wary of unsubstantiated allegations that could sow division. Transparent, fact-based discussions are needed on election security.
These are provocative statements that warrant careful scrutiny. I hope Republican leaders will focus on practical, evidence-based reforms to strengthen election integrity rather than unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
As someone interested in mining and energy issues, I’m curious to hear more specifics on the former president’s voting proposals. How would they impact resource development and permitting, for example? Clarity is needed.
Promoting unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud could undermine public trust in the electoral process. I hope Republican leaders will focus on improving access and integrity, not partisan power grabs.
Well said. Maintaining public confidence in the electoral system should be the top priority, not partisan rhetoric.
Interesting claims from the former president. I’d want to see clear evidence and details before endorsing any plans to ‘nationalize’ or ‘take over’ the voting process in specific locations. Transparent, secure, and fair elections are critical for democracy.
I’ll reserve judgment until I see credible, non-partisan analysis of the former president’s claims and proposals. Securing voting rights and processes is critical, but solutions should be grounded in facts, not rhetoric.