Trump Allies Infiltrate Election Security Ahead of Midterms

Trump Allies Infiltrate Election Security Ahead of Midterms

Ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, a ProPublica investigation reveals that individuals who promoted false claims of a stolen 2020 election are now in key positions within the federal government. These individuals have the power to influence election security and infrastructure, raising concerns about potential interference. The report highlights a shift in the federal landscape, where guardrails that protected the 2020 election process may no longer be in place.

Concerns Over Election Deniers in Government Roles

The ProPublica report, authored by Doug Bock-Clark, details how some individuals involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results have secured roles within the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies. These individuals have been internally referred to as “Team America.” Their past involvement with groups like the Election Integrity Network, led by lawyers who sought to invalidate the 2020 vote, is a significant point of concern.

“The election denial movement is now interwoven within the federal government and they are working together toward a shared goal of reshaping elections,” stated the director of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center to ProPublica. This suggests a coordinated effort to influence the electoral process from within government ranks.

Weakened Guardrails and Federal Overhaul

The investigation found that the checks and balances that prevented widespread interference in the 2020 election are not as strong today. While attempts to overturn the 2020 election ultimately failed, the time since has allowed for a significant overhaul of federal systems in preparation for future elections. This overhaul appears to have created opportunities for those with specific agendas to gain influence.

Nick Schifrin Jr., one of the reporters on the ProPublica piece, explained the situation: “We wanted to really take a deep look at what was happening inside the federal government. A lot of these guardrails, they held in 2020. They really bent. They bent almost to the breaking point. But Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election, they failed. But in the last year or so, the Trump administration has had a lot of time and a lot of opportunity to try to, you know, overhaul the federal system to get ready for the midterms.”

State Officials Push Back Against Federal Influence

Despite federal efforts to influence election administration, state officials, both Republican and Democratic, are actively resisting. The U.S. Constitution clearly assigns the responsibility of running elections to the states. Many state officials are refusing to hand over sensitive voter data or are hiring additional legal counsel to prepare for potential challenges to election results.

Nevada’s Secretary of State, speaking on Chris Jansing’s program, voiced strong opposition to federal overreach. “The Constitution is very clear that states have the responsibility to run their elections,” she stated. “What the federal government is doing, this administration is doing, is tearing apart that infrastructure because they want to influence and intimidate us into compliance with what they think is the appropriate thing to do.”

Potential Impact on Voters

For the average American voter heading to the polls in November, the changes could manifest in several ways. One significant development mentioned is a new executive order that could lead to the creation of a master list of voter eligibility. This raises concerns about potential attempts to control who can vote or to challenge voters at the polls. There have also been discussions about federal agents, such as ICE officers, potentially showing up at polling places.

While the administration states that elections will be free and fair, the ProPublica reporting uncovered actions that appear to undermine the non-partisan nature of election oversight. These actions have broken down previous barriers to partisan influence.

A Key Moment: Kurt Olson’s Involvement

A pivotal moment highlighted in the report involves former White House lawyer Kurt Olson. Olson, who previously attempted to help overturn the 2020 election results in court, was hired by the Trump White House to reinvestigate those results. Around the end of last year, Olson traveled to Georgia with a report, seeking to obtain ballots. He met with the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge in Georgia, urging them to seize ballots.

However, the Special Agent in Charge did not comply with Olson’s demands and was later asked to retire. This incident is seen as a critical example of the erosion of norms established after Watergate, which were designed to prevent the White House from pressuring law enforcement agencies. The report suggests this event is an indicator of potential future actions as the midterm elections approach.

Looking Ahead

The findings of the ProPublica investigation underscore the ongoing tension between federal influence and state control over elections. As the midterms draw closer, the actions of these government-linked individuals and the responses from state officials will be crucial to watch. The integrity of the upcoming elections may depend on the strength of existing state-led defenses against potential federal interference.

Source: Inside ProPublica's look into Trump's effort to 'take over' the midterms (YouTube)