Raskin Challenges Trump’s Election Comments
On Thursday, Democratic Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin dismissed the notion that President Donald Trump could cancel or take control of the midterm elections.
Trump, in a recent interview, indicated he would accept interim election results if he considered them “honest.” He also clarified that he wasn’t actually advocating for a nationalization of voting but was criticizing the alleged corruption in certain cities’ elections, such as those in Detroit, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. During an appearance on “The Arena with Casey Hunt,” Raskin referred to the U.S. Constitution in this context.
“States are the primary regulators of federal elections for representatives and senators. Congress has the power to regulate these elections, as seen historically under the Fourteenth Amendment and the Voting Rights Act,” Raskin explained. “However, it’s clear that Trump and his followers have opposing views on the Voting Rights Act, which is fundamentally meant to ensure everyone’s right to vote.”
Raskin’s claim that Trump and his supporters are “at war with the Voting Rights Act” contrasts with the administration’s focus on election integrity. Their actions have centered around enforcing existing laws rather than limiting voter access. This includes lawsuits from the Department of Justice against states that failed to provide complete voter rolls, which the government argues is necessary for managing accurate voter lists. Additionally, there was a presidential order that required proof of citizenship on federal voter registration forms.
Raskin remarked that Trump’s comments about potentially nationalizing elections come from a larger political debate surrounding voting regulations, rather than a legitimate constitutional argument.
“It’s as if they’re trying to conjure up some new power out of thin air. Who knows what the President might actually do? Whether he would erase voter data in states or attempt to deny voting rights altogether, it’s all very concerning,” Raskin stated.
He insisted that Trump does not possess the constitutional power to cancel the midterm elections, pointing out that America held midterm elections even during the Civil War and World War II. “So, why would we cancel them now? It just doesn’t add up,” he added.
The White House conveyed that Trump’s remarks regarding not holding elections were not meant to be taken seriously, with press secretary Caroline Levitt emphasizing that the comments were made in jest. When pressed on the topic, Levitt responded, “Were you there? Only people like you would take that seriously.”
