Trump Calls for Republicans to Nationalize Voting

On Monday, former President Donald Trump suggested that Republicans should take steps to “hijack” voting procedures and nationalize elections.

In an interview with Dan Bongino, the former FBI Deputy Director, Trump emphasized that under the Constitution, each state dictates its own election processes, including the timing and method of conducting federal elections.

“Republicans should declare, ‘We want to be in charge,'” Trump stated. He went on to express concerns about voting integrity in certain states, asserting, “Voting should be nationalized. There are states where things are decidedly crooked, and they’re counting the votes.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was quick to criticize Trump’s remarks during a session in the Senate.

“Just hours ago, Trump suggested he wants to nationalize elections throughout America. Is that truly a belief in democracy? By saying ‘We want to take over, Republicans should nationalize voting,’ it raises a lot of questions,” Schumer contended. “Does Trump need a refresher on the Constitution? His statement is just plainly illegal.”

Later, White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson provided clarification on Trump’s comments, asserting that he is focused on ensuring free and fair elections in the U.S.

“President Trump is deeply concerned about election safety and security, which is why he is advocating for Congress to pass the SAVE Act and similar legislation. This would introduce uniform requirements for photo ID, prohibit no-excuse mail-in voting, and eliminate practices like ballot harvesting,” Jackson explained.

Trump’s remarks come as he ramps up efforts for the 2026 midterm elections. The ongoing congressional redistricting battles have seen states like Texas redraw their maps to create new Republican-leaning districts, while California is involved in its own redistricting efforts.

As midterms draw near, tensions surrounding these redistricting initiatives continue to simmer.

Currently, Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House, and history suggests that the incumbent president’s party typically faces challenges in midterm elections.

Last week, Trump launched an active campaign schedule with a rally in Iowa, urging the GOP to rally voters and warning them that losing Congress could jeopardize his policies on taxes and immigration. “If we don’t win the midterms, we’re going to lose a lot of important issues,” he cautioned his audience.