Trump Pushes Federal Control Over Elections to Nationalize Voting
Trump's Push to Nationalize Voting
Former President Donald Trump is advocating for federal control over elections, aiming to override longstanding state authority in a bid to reshape the 2026 midterms. Echoing his persistent claims of 2020 fraud, Trump has proposed executive orders to eliminate mail-in ballots and controversial voting machines, asserting states act merely as federal agents. This move, detailed in recent reports, seeks to impose nationwide standards on voter registration and ballot counting.
Key Policy Changes and Suppression Tactics
Trump's blueprint includes requiring proof of citizenship like passports for registration, mandating mail ballots arrive by Election Day under threat of funding cuts, and empowering agencies to scour databases for fraud. Appointing loyalists such as Harmeet Dhillon to overhaul the Justice Department's voting rights division has led to lawsuits purging voter rolls in states like North Carolina. These steps, critics argue, nationalize suppression once confined to state levels.
Implications for States and Democracy
Senate Republican leaders oppose full federalization, highlighting tensions within the GOP. While Republicans gained in mail voting during 2024, Trump's unilateral push risks reversing those advances for short-term gains. This power grab could erode state sovereignty, intensify partisan battles, and undermine trust in future elections, prioritizing national directives over local traditions.
About the People Mentioned
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump, born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, is an American businessman, media personality, and politician. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1968 with a degree in economics. In 1971, he took over his family’s real estate business, renaming it the Trump Organization, through which he expanded into building and managing skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Trump gained widespread fame as the host of the reality TV show *The Apprentice* from 2004 to 2015, which helped establish his public persona as a successful entrepreneur. Trump entered politics as a Republican and was elected the 45th president of the United States, serving from 2017 to 2021. His presidency was marked by significant policy actions including tax cuts, deregulation, the appointment of three Supreme Court justices, renegotiation of trade agreements (notably replacing NAFTA with the USMCA), and a focus on immigration control including border wall expansion. He withdrew the U.S. from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, and engaged in a trade war with China. His administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was criticized for downplaying the virus’s severity. Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives—first in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction, and again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection—but was acquitted by the Senate both times. After losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Trump challenged the results, culminating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He remains a central figure in American politics, having won the 2024 presidential election and returned as the 47th president in 2025, continuing to promote policies aimed at economic growth, border security, and military strength[1][2][3][4].
About the Organizations Mentioned
United States Department of Justice
The **United States Department of Justice** (DOJ) is the federal executive agency responsible for enforcing federal laws and administering justice across the country[2]. Established in 1870[3], the DOJ operates under the leadership of the U.S. Attorney General, who reports directly to the President and serves as a Cabinet member[2]. The current Attorney General is Pam Bondi, who assumed office in February 2025[2]. The DOJ's core mission centers on three co-equal priorities: **upholding the rule of law, keeping the country safe, and protecting civil rights**[1][6]. With more than 115,000 employees across more than 40 component organizations[8], the Department maintains a substantial presence throughout the United States and in over 50 countries worldwide[8]. The agency oversees most of the nation's federal law enforcement apparatus, including the **Federal Bureau of Investigation** (FBI), the **Drug Enforcement Administration** (DEA), the **Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives** (ATF), the **U.S. Marshals Service**, and the **Federal Bureau of Prisons**[2]. Beyond law enforcement, the DOJ operates eight divisions of litigating lawyers representing the federal government in criminal, civil, antitrust, tax, civil rights, environmental, national security, and justice management matters[2]. Key functional areas include prosecuting federal crimes, managing the federal prison system, defending civil rights across employment, education, housing, and voting sectors[5], and combating terrorism[5]. The Department also provides grants and technical assistance to state, tribal, and local governments[1], and operates 94 U.S. Attorneys' offices serving federal judicial districts nationwide[2]. The DOJ's organizational complexity reflects its expansive mandate: from investigating financial crimes to
