Trump Calls for Republicans to ‘Nationalize’ U.S. Elections/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump urged Republicans to “nationalize” voting in key areas, renewing false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. His comments follow an FBI raid on a Georgia elections office, seizing 2020 ballots and records. Legal experts say Trump’s proposal defies the Constitution, which gives states control over elections.
Quick Look:
- President Donald Trump says GOP should “take over” elections in key areas
- Remarks come days after FBI raid on Georgia elections office
- Constitutional experts note such a move would defy state control of elections
- Trump doubles down on false claims of 2020 voter fraud
- DOJ lawsuits against state voting systems continue to mount
Trump Renews Push to Nationalize Voting: Deep Look
President Donald Trump on Monday urged Republicans to “nationalize” control over U.S. elections, escalating his long-standing and unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud during the 2020 presidential race.
“The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting,” Trump said during an appearance on Dan Bongino’s podcast, which relaunched this week. “We want to take over. We should take over the voting in at least 15 places.”
The comments come just days after the FBI raided an elections facility outside Atlanta, seizing ballots and records from the 2020 election in Fulton County, Georgia.
False Election Claims Persist
During the podcast, Trump once again falsely claimed victory in the 2020 election, stating, “I won in a landslide,” and accusing unnamed individuals of voting “illegally.” He referred to the recent FBI operation, saying:
“You’re going to see some interesting things come out” of Georgia.
Trump’s assertions echo his ongoing narrative of election interference despite no credible evidence supporting those claims. In Georgia, a statewide audit and recount both confirmed that Joe Biden won the state, reinforcing the original certified results.
Legal and Constitutional Concerns
Trump’s suggestion of nationalizing elections contradicts the U.S. Constitution, which grants states the authority to manage their own election systems. His statement that states are “merely an ‘agent’ for the Federal Government” misrepresents federalism.
“They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY, to do,” Trump wrote in a social media post last August.
While Trump floated an executive order last year to impose federal oversight of midterm election procedures, no such order has been signed. The White House has not clarified how such a plan would be implemented without violating constitutional limits.
Escalation Through DOJ Lawsuits
In parallel with Trump’s comments, his Justice Department has filed lawsuits against approximately two dozen states, demanding expanded access to their statewide voter registration databases.
These lawsuits are part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to challenge state-run election systems, further signaling a shift toward centralizing voting control.
Prior Efforts Blocked in Court
Trump also previously signed an executive order in March 2025 that sought to:
- Add proof of citizenship requirements to the national voter registration form
- Alter mail-in voting procedures at the state level
That executive order has been largely blocked by federal courts, pending ongoing legal review. Judges raised concerns that the order infringed upon state election law and voter access rights.
Looking Ahead to 2026 Midterms
In recent rallies and online posts, Trump has promised to bring “honesty” to the 2026 midterm elections, often citing his proposed executive powers.
His comments on Monday suggest a renewed push to make voting central to his political platform in 2026, despite widespread legal, constitutional, and bipartisan resistance to such federalization.
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