President Donald Trump on Tuesday publicly defended his proposal for greater federal involvement in U.S. elections, reiterating his call for Republicans to “nationalize” voting and framing the idea as a response to what he described as systemic failures at the state and local level.
Speaking to reporters during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump argued that the federal government should intervene when states are unable to administer elections properly.
He made the remarks while surrounded by senior congressional Republicans and emphasized what the White House has described as his focus on election integrity.
Trump’s renewed push immediately exposed divisions within his party. Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed the proposal later the same day, citing constitutional concerns.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday publicly defended his proposal for greater federal involvement in U.S. elections, reiterating his call for Republicans to “nationalize” voting and framing the idea as a response to what he described as systemic failures at the state and local level.
Speaking to reporters during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump argued that the federal government should intervene when states are unable to administer elections properly.
He made the remarks while surrounded by senior congressional Republicans and emphasized what the White House has described as his focus on election integrity.
“I want to see elections be honest, and if a state can’t run an election, I think the people behind me should do something about it,” Trump said, gesturing toward GOP lawmakers in attendance.
He went on to single out several major cities as examples, adding, “Take a look at Detroit … take a look at Philadelphia, take a look at Atlanta. The federal government should not allow that.
The federal government should get involved. These are agents of the federal government to count the vote. If they can’t count the vote legally and honestly, then somebody else should take over.”
Trump’s renewed push immediately exposed divisions within his party. Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed the proposal later the same day, citing constitutional concerns.
“I’m not in favor of federalizing elections, no. I think that’s a constitutional issue,” Thune told reporters.
House Speaker Mike Johnson struck a more conciliatory tone while distancing himself from the substance of the idea.
Johnson characterized Trump’s remarks as an expression of frustration over election administration but ultimately said he does not support federalizing elections.
The comments followed Trump’s first explicit call for nationalized voting during a podcast interview that aired Monday with former Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino.
“The Republicans should say, ‘We want to take over,'” Trump said in that interview. “We should take over the voting … in at least many, 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting. We have states that are so crooked and they’re counting votes.”
Democrats seized on the remarks as evidence of authoritarian intent. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer addressed the issue on the Senate floor, sharply criticizing the proposal.
“Just a few hours ago, Donald Trump said he wants to nationalize elections around the country. That’s what Trump said. You think he believes in democracy?
He said, ‘We want to take over, the Republicans ought to nationalize the voting,'” Schumer said Monday. “Does Donald Trump need a copy of the Constitution? What he is saying is outlandishly illegal.”
The White House later sought to contextualize Trump’s comments. In a statement to ABC News, spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the president’s remarks reflected his broader push for election security rather than a literal call for federal takeover.
“President Trump cares deeply about the safety and security of our elections – that’s why he’s urged Congress to pass the SAVE Act and other legislative proposals that would establish a uniform standard of photo ID for voting, prohibit no-excuse mail-in voting, and end the practice of ballot harvesting,” Jackson said.
THE THRID FORCE
