Trump Calls to ‘Nationalize Elections’ as Republicans Prepare for Midterms
President Donald Trump has called on Republicans to take greater control over how elections are conducted, urging the party to “nationalize” voting procedures as the country moves toward key midterm contests later this year.
Speaking in a recent interview, Trump argued that federal involvement is needed in certain states, claiming that election systems in some areas cannot be trusted. He suggested that Republicans should push for broader authority over voting administration in multiple states, framing the move as a way to ensure election integrity.
His remarks come as federal authorities have taken steps that have drawn attention in Georgia, where investigators carried out a search at an elections office in Fulton County. The action was linked to an inquiry by the Justice Department seeking election-related records as part of a review of alleged voting irregularities. Trump has repeatedly cited Georgia in past claims about the 2020 presidential race, which election officials and courts have consistently said showed no evidence of widespread fraud.
According to officials familiar with the situation, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was involved in the federal visit to Georgia and maintained communication with the White House during the operation. Sources said Trump briefly spoke with agents involved, offering words of encouragement as the inquiry proceeded.
In the United States, elections are primarily managed by state and local governments, with federal authorities playing a limited role. Still, Trump has continued to advocate for significant changes to the system.
Last year, he signed an executive order aimed at tightening voter registration rules and limiting the counting of certain mail-in ballots. Parts of that order have faced legal challenges in federal court. Federal law already bars non-citizens from voting in national elections.
Trump has also spoken out against mail-in voting and electronic voting machines, arguing that such methods are vulnerable to abuse despite repeated findings by election officials that they are secure. He has previously pledged to pursue further executive actions targeting these systems, though not all of those proposals have materialized.
In addition, the administration has supported efforts to redraw congressional district maps in some states ahead of the midterms, a move that could influence the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
The Justice Department has also sought access to detailed voter registration data from numerous states, including personal identifying information. Officials say the effort is intended to ensure compliance with federal election law, while critics warn it raises privacy and federalism concerns.
State election leaders, particularly Democrats, say they are preparing for the possibility of expanded federal involvement in the voting process. Some have discussed how to protect voters’ rights and maintain confidence in election systems while responding to new legal and political pressures from Washington.
These officials have largely declined to share specific contingency plans, saying they want to avoid creating confusion or undermining public trust. Still, they acknowledge that the evolving role of the federal government in election matters has become an important factor in their preparations for the upcoming vote.
With the midterms approaching, debates over who controls election rules and how votes are cast and counted are likely to remain a central political issue across the country.
